Experimenting with blocking (Fortune's Shawlette)

Be warned this is not a very exciting post it was an experiment for my own benefit but I decided to share just incase, by chance, someone may find it useful (also if I make more of these I can read what I did...). If you don't care about blocking but want the pattern to these shawls Click here for a link.

I made 3 Fortune's Shawlette as gifts for Christmas. I really love the pattern and how the shawl falls ect. It looks gorgeous when it's finished. My only issue is that as I'm giving them as gifts I don't think my giftees will want to block the shawls after they have been washed. So I just wanted to see the size difference in the shawls after blocking/stretching and not doing any blocking/stretching.

I left one as it was without blocking or anything, I blocked one after wasing it and the 3rd one I washed and stretched with hangers... I used hangers as weights on the corners of the shawl (don't judge me).

The picture shows the purple one (the largest shawl) after blocking, the green one (the middle sized shawl) after being stretched with hangers and the blue one (smallest shawl) which I have done nothing with.

The size difference is obvious. The blocked one (purple) is definitely the better looking, the detail of the pattern is much more obvious, and will fit nicely on anyone. The stretched one (with hangers) looks alright the pattern isn't as obvious but Ok and the size is alright but may not fit/fall as well. The blue one that I left alone isn't the best as the pattern is hard to see and I struggle with it fitting me and I'm quite small, it does fit but it doesn't fall as well as the others.

After my little experiment blocking is definitely the way to go but stretching whilst drying is an alright alternative. Leaving the shawl as it is though with out any stretching encouragement may not be a good decision.

Tschüs

Sixty Million Trebles Charity

(Please read the important update at the bottom of the post) 

Just a quick post to shout out about a charity I'm joining in with. I think it is a fantastic idea so here's some info:

Fancy helping with a charity orientated humongous London Yarn bomb? Get involved. The aim is to make a blanket the equivalent of sixty million trebles out of handmade blankets that are 36x36". The blanket is to represent the amount of refugees worldwide. 

The huge blanket will then be spilt apart to provide charities with warm blankets throughout the UK and Hand In Hand For Syria.

I know the title says 'Trebles' but any stitch can be using including knitting, the stitches can all be calcualted into treble equivalents. There are also many drop off points for blankets dotted around the UK (and some other countries are involved too)

There is a really friendly and active Facebook page devoted to this charity event just search for 'sixty million trebles' on Facebook for loads more information. 

I'll be uploading pics of my blankets soon!

Update:

Charity Blanket #1

Charity Blanket #2

Charity blanket #3

Update:

The charity organisers have apologised and realised that the 60 million mark will not be reached by the time they had anticipated. Therefore the blankets will not be sewn together to break the world record. 

Giving the blankets out to those who need them is more important than holding on to them for longer just to break a world record. I understand that being part of breaking a world record is a big motivator for people however remaining focused on helping others is the most important thing and it is a wonderful thing all these brilliant people are doing.  

Keep up the good work x