It’s time to get ready for the upcoming Make-Along with Katie Jones! Follow this easy guide to washing and blocking your swatch.
Are you excited about the Mystery Make-Along with the fabulous Katie Jones? 👀 We sure are!
Whether you’re knitting or crocheting, proper preparation is the key to a successful project. The first step is to create a swatch to ensure you achieve the correct gauge, so your finished sweater fits perfectly. If you’re not sure how to make a swatch, Katie has explained it all in this blog post. 💁♀️
Already made your swatch? Great! Now it’s time to wash and block it. By washing your swatch before starting the project, you'll gain valuable insights into how to wash and care for the finished piece—and avoid the horror of color bleeding! Blocking will ensure a perfect fit for your sweater. 😍💯
How to Wash the Swatch
We recommend creating a color swatch that includes all the yarns from the Make-Along. If you followed Katie’s guide and made a swatch using just the lilac yarn, you'll need to make another one, this time combining all the colors. This will allow you to check for any color bleeding before starting your project.
Make sure to only soak the swatch lightly in lukewarm water. We recommend around 5 minutes.
The yarns shouldn't bleed but in some cases a bit of bleeding can occur. If it does, here's a tip, you can try:
Soak the swatch (or your yarn) in a basin of cold water with 0.5 to 1 cup of white vinegar or a dye catcher sheet, let it soak for max 30 minutes, then gently rinse in cold water, block your project (or lay out the yarn) on a towel or your blocking mats, and let it dry.
Now Block the Swatch
Once your swatch is washed, it’s time to block it! Gently squeeze out the excess water (avoid wringing) and lay your swatch flat on a towel or blocking mat. Use pins if necessary to shape it according to the gauge you need. Let it dry completely—this will ensure your final project turns out beautifully!
After your swatch has dried, measure it to see if it matches the required gauge for the project. Adjust your hook or needle size if necessary before diving into the full make-along!
Curious about the #AprèsSkiMAL?
The creative genius behind this exciting Make-Along is the fabulous Katie Jones! (You might remember the fun we had with her last year? 🙌) While this project is super super secret, Katie gives us a sneak peek in this blog post where she hints at the cozy winter sweater we’ll be knitting and crocheting. 🤫
Psst! The fun begins on September 5th, 2024. Get your kit HERE.
For more details, be sure to check out this FAQ blog post. 💙❓
Video tip! Click on “Settings” (the little gear under the video ⚙) to turn on subtitles in your preferred language.
