Gosh, you are a lovely lot. Would you like an update on Mary’s blanket? If you search deep amongst the comments on the last post, you’ll notice a long and heart-warming response by one Mary Megarry. Executive summary: I THINK SHE LIKES THE BLANKET! Phew. I just hope it brings her a little comfort as she goes through the long process of recuperation.
Anyway, onwards – at terrifyingly high speed – towards Christmas. Terrifying at least for those of us who aren’t good at getting prepared ahead of time. I realize that some of you are super-organized, because interest in my knitted and crocheted Christmas tree patterns goes up from about September, but here at Twisted Towers, we’re only just facing the fact that the big day really is coming, whether we’re ready or not – which makes it sound a bit like a game of hide-and-seek, only with more pine needles embedded in the carpet… and twins who may yet spontaneously combust through sheer excitement.
We do have a tree.
And I’m frantically starting finishing the very small number of knitted gifts that I’ll be making this year. Sleep is optional, right? I can’t guarantee that all these gifts will be neatly washed and blocked by the big day… or even finished… But I mention blocking for a reason, because there’s something that I want to show you. Look!
These, my fine fibrous friends, are some splendid blocking mats. Let me show you a brief (silent) video, first. Clearly the person demonstrating the product in this video is some kind of knitting genius… 😉
A spot of disclosure is needed. Whilst I don’t usually do sponsored posts, I’m making an exception today. I have received money from the company that makes these mats and I was filmed for this video, but exciting developments lie ahead for this company, which I’ll mention at the end of this post.
But first, the mats themselves. They’re produced by a company called KnitIQ, who’ve been selling in the US for a while. KnitIQ is now coming to the UK too.
Let’s have a proper look at the mats. They’re much thicker than most blocking mats, which is brilliant for those of us who’ve been known to inadvertently pin our knitting – via thinner mats – to the carpet, or to the furniture, or to the husband (don’t ask). This thickness is especially useful when you’re blocking something quite robustly, and you really need your pins to stay put.
And look: gridlines, neatly spaced an inch apart, so you can achieve the exact dimensions that you’re aiming for. Yikes, this sponsored post is beginning to sound like a sponsored post, isn’t it?
I was given my set of KnitIQ mats way back in February. They’ve had a lot of use since then, and there’s no sign of any deterioration from abuse by repeated pinning. Frankly, I’m impressed.
They come in a clear plastic storage case. You can of course configure them in any shape you choose, depending on whether you’re blocking a neat knitted square or a life-size crocheted anaconda. And there’s a little case of T-pins included, which is useful. You can never have too many T-pins.
If you’d like a set of these mats, they’re available to buy from Amazon. (I’d offer to lend you mine, but I’m using them at present.) In the US, you can buy them here, and in the UK, you can buy them here. And no, those are not affiliate links.
And do remember the name KnitIQ because it’s one that you’ll likely hear a lot in the future. Right now, they’re crazy-busy talking to small indie producers, figuring out how to support traditional crafts, and develop a range of knit-perfect products. The future is looking fibrous, my friends.
I recently received an email from knitIQ, telling me these were now available in the U.K. I’ve been waiting months for this epic news ever since I saw them demoed and emailed the company. I’ve sent the link on my sister, hint,hint, Xmas, lol
They’re available on Amazon Italy, too! Yippeeee!
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B01FVI1IGK/?coliid=I3QU37KEKN7GKH&colid=3QSNJR1E4G6HO&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
I’m so glad Mary liked the blanket. Such wonderful work.
I have never blocked my knitting, I guess I don’t understand how it works or why it is needed. Perhaps you could tell us more about that.
Would a blog post on the matter help?
Yes! I’ve also never blocked my knitting. Why??
I’ve suggested that Santa deliver these to my daughter!
Interesting- I shall have to have a look at these. Normally I strip the bed if lines, layout towels and pin away. But the grids would be a bonus.
Oh – ! This is a cool development for you! Good job!
A great review but did you test if the blocking mats are twinnage proof? I fear they may be misappropriated for construction projects.
Those look really handy – if I block, I tend to block on the bed (or ironing board cover, for socks) but that’s always a hazard – soggy patch later on, might be jumped on by kids or cat, etc.
It looks good. I shall have to have one. Xx
Awesome mats, Phyl. I have a double set of children’s play mats, about 2 square metres if I put them all out (8 mats) They don’t have the so useful gridlines, though they are textured on one side so you can kinda follow a line. I may do a proper job one day when I remember, have a couple of free hours, a marker pen, and a decent length of 2×1, but they were very reasonably priced, from Argos. Used double thickness they ensure the pins stay put and they pack away nicely into a thin place.
I do have a proper set of blocking pins, and very useful they’ve all been over the past couple of years, even for laying out fabrics for cutting things for dressmaking.
I like the extra thickness of these mats. I have some and when I had carpet didn’t mind that the pins stuck into the carpet. But I now have wood floors and The first time I blocked after they were installed I stabbed the floor! I use them on the bed now. I think I need these.
I’m a fully paid up member of the ‘accidentally pinning projects to furniture’ club, so these look amazing! I shall add them to my wish list and hope that somebody gets the hint when my birthday rolls around.
I love my knitiq blocking set. But I need a few more for a poncho! Do you know where I can get an extension kit? Looks like its only available in the US