We Tried It: Blocking with a Stasher Bag

Portland is full of beautiful, turn-of-the-century Craftsman bungalows. They are charming, stately, historic... and usually have very very very small bathrooms. One Twistedista has taken to using a Stasher bag to wash handknits instead of tying up the bathroom sink. Turns out it's both easier and much-appreciated by her person, who sometimes needs to use the sink, too, apparently.

Here's a quick and dirty how-to video about this method to get your handknits quickly clean. :)

Step 1: Gather Supplies

• Eucalan is great for conditioning woolens
• Soak gently cleans all fiber types
• A Stasher bag is key! The stand-up bag is shown here
• Dry towels
• Something to wash

Step 2: Fill 'er Up

• Fill bag with cool or tepid water - not hot
• Gently squeeze water through item - do not agitate or stretch
• Let sit about 5 minutes
• Squeeze water through item again
• Let sit again

Step 3: Take it Out

• Squeeze out water - do NOT wring
• Wrap item in a dry towel
• Squeeze out as much water as possible

Step 4: Block

• Set item to dry so that it assumes its best possible shape.
• For a hat, that might mean putting it on a bowl.
• For lace, that can mean blocking wires or pins.
• For a lot of things, that just means laying it out carefully on dry towels.
• Put it somewhere with good airflow that isn't in direct sun.