Knitting Blocking Wires . . . . . Homemade?

Question

I loaned my blocking wires to a friend and havent gotten them back yet.

I need to block a baby blanket this week so it can be ready by the baby shower and my local knit shops dont regularly stock blocking wires.

I am assuming I could purchase something that would work from my local harware store, but I am a total girl and dont even know what to ask for.

Has anyone made their own blocking wires?

Answer 1

I pin things to an ironing board

Answer 2

I do not use blocking wires, just t-pins and a board or I just lay towels on my area rug and the blanket on top of the towels.  Here's some other ideas.

http://knitting.about.com/od/learntoknit...

Answer 3

Fine gauge welding wire works well for blocking wires.  However, be aware that most of them have been oiled and you'll need to clean them down first with soap and water and rubbing alchohol to get rid of it before you use it.  The other posted suggested pinning out and I agree.  I use my king sized bed to block large shawls using nickle plated T pins.  You can also take some nylon string and run it through your edge stitches and pin the corners out taut to get a good square using the top of the mattress and one side to get a good square.  I've found that most things dry in a few hours by putting my wetted item in a lingerie bag and spinning much of the water out on the final spin cycle of my washing machine for a minute or two.

Answer 4

i would run a strong thread around the edge, and pin it out using large hat pins as required.