How to Finish Your Knitting Project

Finishing is the process of taking your bound-off project, cleaning up the loose ends, and shaping it so that it looks just the way you envisioned it. (For more complicated garments with many different pieces, finishing also involves sewing those different pieces together.)

Weaving in Loose Ends

When you’re finished knitting, cut off your yarn, leaving a tail of about 6″. Now locate all the loose ends on your piece—they’ll be located wherever you finished a ball of yarn or worked in a new color. To finish the piece, you need to hide those ends by weaving them into the piece.

Loose Ends at the Edge of Your Fabric

The best way to hide loose ends at the edge of your fabric is to sew them into the loops at the edge.

1. Thread your yarn end into a tapestry needle (see Knitting Tools).
2. Insert the needle into about six of the loops that create the side edge of your fabric.
3. Pull the needle so the yarn is straight but not stretched.
4. Cut off the excess yarn.

Loose Ends in the Middle of Your Fabric

If loose ends are sticking out of the middle of your piece:

1. Weave in the strands along the direction of the stitches.
2. Continue for 6–8 stitches.
3. Cut off the yarn.

If your fabric has a wrong side, weave in on that side. The goal is to make your yarn end look like just another stitch.

Blocking

Blocking is the process of shaping your final project. This process can be as complicated as adjusting the sizes of the pieces of a sweater, or as simple as flattening out a scarf that’s curling.

There are three basic methods of blocking: wet blocking, spray blocking, and steam blocking. Your personal preference and the type of yarn you’re using determine which blocking method you should use. Always check the washing instructions for a yarn before blocking it.

Wet Blocking

Wet blocking should be done only with cool water to avoid damaging the yarn.

1. Soak the piece in cool water.
2. Gently lift the piece so as not to let it stretch under the weight of the water.
3. Lay the piece out flat on a towel, arranging the piece how you want it to be sized and shaped.
4. Squeeze out excess water by pressing gently with another towel or rolling the piece in the towel on which it’s lying.
5. Leave the piece to dry (this could take a day or more).

Spray Blocking

Spray blocking is a safer method for yarns that are more delicate, such as alpaca or mohair.

1. Lay your project flat on a towel, arranging the piece how you want it to be shaped.
2. Use a spray bottle to get the piece evenly wet but not soaking.
3. Don’t touch the piece until it’s completely dry.

Steam Blocking

Steam blocking is the fastest method of blocking but is suitable for only certain yarns. In particular, avoid steaming synthetic yarns or any types of yarn that may flatten or be damaged by hot water. Consider making a sample swatch and block that piece before blocking your finished project.

1. On a towel, lay out the piece as you want it shaped.
2. Hold a steam iron 1″ or so above the knit fabric so that the steam penetrates the yarn.
3. Move the iron across the piece without touching it.
4. Don’t touch the piece until it’s completely dry.