A Good Blocking

Two years ago, I knit Dave a hat. The pattern was Turn A Square by Jared Flood. I proudly gave it to him to help combat the chilly Arizona mornings and nights. He tried it on his head, smiled and put it away in his closet. It has stayed in his closet for the past twenty-four months. He has never worn it. Last week, I suggested that if he was cold, he could wear his hat of love. Guiltily he pulled it out. When he put it on his head, we both laughed. It did not cover his ears and was a bit big at the top. 

I realized that in my eagerness to give it to him, I had failed to block it. I knew I could fix it for him. I soaked his hat in warm water for about a half hour. When I pulled it out of the water, I formed it around an inflated balloon. This blocking technique worked perfectly. He tried it on today and it fits - covers his ears, is smooth on his head and looks good too. I only wish I had paid more attention to the stripes as they are a bit wavy in one spot. He doesn't seem to mind. At least now he is willing to wear it, which is a good thing.