Finished Shawl and My Improvised Blocking Mat and Wires

 

 

Finished Shawl and My Improvised Blocking Mat and Wires

 

 

 

 

I finished my Over the Moon Shawl from my Sock Yarn Shawl book.  It went from this:

 

to this:

 

Isn't it beautiful!?  I love it!  And I can't believe I made it.  There are a few mistakes but you can't see them.  The wool is so nice and It blocked out beautifully.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wasn't sure at first how I was going to block it as I don't have blocking wires or a blocking board.  So I improvised.  I went to Target to look in the toy aisle for the foam alphabet blocks that I'd heard some people used but I couldn't find any.  However , a few aisles over I discovered foam yoga mats that were 65" by 24".  Perfect size for my triangle shawl and the price was right; less than $20.00.

 

 

 

At home I had crafter's wire from my jewelry making supplies so I cut a piece 60" long.

I thread the wire thru the top of the shawl and pinned it to my yoga mat with t-pins.  The pins go easily into the mat and stay put.  Even better you can write on the mat with a pencil so I was able to mark the measurements for the shawl on it and stretch it out.

 

 

 

I pinned the shawl to the mat and the mat fit nicely on my craft table so I was able to leave it out to dry. 

 

 

 

 

 Fabulous!   When I was done the mat rolled up nicely to be stored away. And now my shawl looks great and I can't wait to wear it.