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How to Make a (mini) Blocking Board 

12/1/2014

14 Comments

 

Using things you have at home, make a mini blocking board that's perfect for stiffening your small crochet lace pieces!

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Greetings Friends!

Having the right tools is important to any craft or hobby. However, that often means spending money! If you're like me, that's not always an option. and even if you have the means to buy what you need, that doesn't help you when you want it right now!

When you're blocking or stiffening crochet lace you don't need a giant blocking board.  You also may not want to get the stiffening solution all over your "good" board.  Why not make one? I've used this method throughout the years with great results. Here's what you do::

1) Gather your materials.
Materials for making mini blocking board
You need: A flat(ish) box - maybe a few inches high. The size of your box, is the size of your board, so consider what you'll be blocking. Some extra pieces of cardboard (I cut up another box). Make sure it's the nice corrugated cardboard, not the flat stuff from a cereal box. Scissors, tape and a disposable plastic table cloth. For some reason I have a stash of these table clothes.  Not sure why, but there you go!  Don't have one? Don't worry, I've also used aluminum foil, wax paper and plastic wrap.

2) Cut your extra cardboard the same size as your box.
Mini blocking board tutorial - cut cardboard
Mini blocking board tutorial - tape cardboard to top
This gives your board stability and makes it easier to push the pins into. I used two layers and then secured them with tape on each side.

3) Wrap your box. 
Mini blocking board tutorial - wrap box in plastic tablecloth
Mini blocking board tutorial - wrap box like a present
Cut your table cloth so it will cover the box a few times. (If you're using foil, plastic wrap or wax paper use a few layers. They'll last for several uses, just make sure you secure it tightly.) Wrap it up just like a present!  Tape the ends firmly and voila! you're ready to get busy blocking those ornaments!
Mini blocking board tutorial - finished board
Mini blocking board tutorial - new board in use!
That's all there is to it. I think having the right tools is important, but it's so easy to stress over having the same one that the "professionals" are using. Let's not get caught up in the gadgets!  We're creative people, right? and when we can make our own that does the same thing - I say hooray! After all. it's about the making and the end result., not about the tools!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be Blessed and Stitch with Love!
14 Comments
Sakeenah link
12/1/2014 10:41:58 am

Love this! Very creative. Your lace designs are beautiful too.

Reply
Jess Scheicher link
12/1/2014 11:41:31 pm

Creatives we are! I'm happy to see I'm not the only one who pulls out boxes for blocking. I love how you wrapped it... will have to try that next time. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Robin link
12/3/2014 03:59:18 am

When I first started to crochet I agonized over having the "right" tools. I quickly realized that I the result is what matters - not what I used to get there. Thanks for stopping by - and for sharing your creative spirit!

Reply
Tita Carré
12/2/2014 12:51:57 pm

Hi, I love your craft, is beauty, I love a colors, I follow your blog, I have a blog about crochet, visit me , hugs from Brazil.
<a href="http://www.titacarre.com" alt="My site about crochet with free patterns"> Visit my blog - Tita Carré - free patterns crochet </a>

Reply
Robin link
12/3/2014 04:03:24 am

Hi Tita,

Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by. I love meeting new people and seeing the things that they create! It's so interesting to see the influence of the different parts of the world and how crochet brings us together! Hugs from the US!

Reply
Jacquie
12/14/2014 06:14:16 pm

thanks for sharing your ideas. I use the sugar method but now I will definitely try glue next time. Love your beautiful designs. Where would I be able to obtain the patterns for these pieces please?

Reply
Shaddy
12/18/2014 07:18:44 am

Even better is a block of insulation, the blue stuff, works great, and covered with wax paper is da bomb. I do not and never have used pins, after one incident where guaranteed pins not to rust did so, I use round toothpicks the kind with good tips on, works fine, and cheep as well.

Reply
Popeye
2/7/2015 11:51:00 am

Hi Thank you so much for the instructions re the Blocking board and the stiffening instructions previously.
I have a frilled doily that I crochet in acrylic yarn. Made a mistake as it was meant to be flat. but its now a lovely frilled piece.
Would the glue method work for stiffening it, without using anything to hold the frilled bits up with object's? I don't have anything that will fit. And don't mind if the frill isn't Perfectly shaped. Its holding its shape as it is now...

Reply
Toni Cantrell
5/30/2015 05:34:48 pm

How do I stiffen something that is not flat? Like butterfly wings?
I am new at this and have some butterflies that I crocheted and would like to stiffen them with the wings "flapping". Any help is appreciated.
Thanks! Love the ideas!

Reply
Bonnie Rice
1/21/2020 11:27:47 pm

You may have to get creative with things that aren't flat. I've got small plastic bottles(round and square) and bottle caps, a selection of Styrofoam shapes, yogurt containers, anything small and plastic might come in handy depending on the shapes you are creating. Experiment with different objects until you get the shape you want and then hang onto that object for future use. Some objects you can just use, others need to be covered in plastic wrap to be able to get it out without messing up the project. In a pinch, play dough (store bought or home made) can be shaped to your needs and covered with plastic wrap.

Reply
How To Make $100 A Day link
1/3/2016 03:43:51 am

However, that often means spending money! If you're like me, that's not always an option. and even if you have the means to buy what you need, that doesn't help you when you want it right now!

Reply
How To Make $100 A Day link
1/3/2016 03:46:39 am

However, that often means spending money! If you're like me, that's not always an option. and even if you have the means to buy what you need, that doesn't help you when you want it right now!

Reply
Pendants link
2/15/2024 07:49:20 am

Great guide! This post is quite helpful. Thanks for sharing nice post.

Reply
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