I messaged Rachel of Inspinity to ask her about her blocking wires. Could I try them? I promised I’d give her my opinion and would give a public review of my honest impressions. I received the Deluxe Ultra Fine Lace Blocking Wire Set within a week. I was impressed with the packaging on these. Each wire is ingeniously and neatly looped through a small plastic sleeve about an inch long, then wired with like sizes. All ends are sheathed with small clear plastic tips and packaged in a heavy duty ziplock bag.
This is the first time I’ve used blocking wires. In the past, I’ve blocked my lace with about a hundred T pins and a straight edge, laboriously measuring out my points from the top edge. :sigh: Takes forever! It’s when they’re blocked that lace shawls really show their stuff and all that expended effort seems worthwhile, so it’s no time to take shortcuts.
Blocking this shawl took a fraction of my usual blocking time. For one thing, the wires act as a straight edge, making a guide to help align edges without repeated measurements.
I was able to run one wire through the center spine and a longer one across the top edge
I ran the edge wires just through the middle stitch of the ends to get peaks.
It was easy to do and gave me the best blocking job I’ve ever had.
I loved the removable plastic ends. Maybe you’re supposed to take them off, but I was able to thread them through my shawl quite well with them on, and it protected the yarn from being split or snagged. When it was time to remove them, they slid right out and were easily looped back into their bag. I’m absolutely thrilled with the even, professional blocking they helped me obtain. What a difference in my finished objects!
Thank you for the opportunity to try these, Rachel. They’ve changed my crafting life! I plan to purchase another set of heavier gauge wires for my dk to worsted weight projects. Good tools are worth every dime!
Lovely shawl and a wonderful review!
Thanks Laura! ♥
Thanks for the review — these blocking wires look great and while I love my T-pins, I can imagine how useful these would be for something larger and delicate.
It was my pleasure, Evelyn. I’m so glad I took the plunge to try wires – though I still secure them with the T-pins, for me, I get a much better job overall. I’m re-blocking everything in sight. 😀
I was just looking at purchasing these… What a timely review… Thank you very much!
Perfect! Don’t you love it when you have a question and somehow the universe manages to respond? 🙂
I think I’ll add those to my birthday list! Your shawl is beautiful – what pattern did you use?
Hi Angela,
Mom is away from the computer for a few days but judging from her Ravelry page, this pattern is The Beaded Shaelyn : http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JuleeQue/shaelyn
Gorgeous pattern, huh? Love it!
Thanks, Carli!
I’ve use blocking wires a few times before, with great success, but I love the idea of threading a wire up the centre column of stitches too. Thanks for the tip!
You’re so welcome, Jenny. I’m a big fan of blocking carefully – I was pretty impressed with what a difference it makes in the F.O.!