Hephaestus Crafts Blocking Mats for Knitting - Pack of 9 Gray Blocking Boards with Grids for Needlepoint Or Crochet. 150 T-pins

Got these last week delivery was earlier by a weekUsed them for the 1st time 2 days later for jacket for hubby which covered the 9 pieces (need another box) because the sleeves & York was in one piece I used the play mates I was using before so I’ll be getting another box.I’ve found that using these blocking mats are so useful because your work come out neater & straighter which makes the garment look. After all the hard work you’ve done knitting it. It looks more professional when sewing together & I feel pride with the finest garment.I’m a perfectionist, so when I see any mistake I undo the work it’s more work but can’t cope with wearing it or if it’s a gift for someone I can’t cope knowing wear the mistake is. I’ve done knitting for many years but stoped for about 10 years but my son with his 1st baby asked me to knit a jacket as he was so small so for the last 6yrs I got back into knitting for our grandson & granddaughter. Now I’m knitting larger items for the family I thought it was the best to get blocking mats knowing the finishing look would be perfect.I would recommend getting blocking mats if you want your work perfect as it gives the garment the finishing look.I’ve used play mats before which has been ok but now I’m even knitting for myself (which I have not for any years) I need it to look perfect otherwise I will not wear it. But the cost of getting blocking mat have the lines to guards the garment so the lines look great for the finished items.I’ve also get the pinning blocks for the garment so there will be less pins to put. Which came yesterday so looking forward to using them. I got 2 boxes so there will come in handy for larger items.

The gridding on the mats is so handy for blocking granny squares quickly without measuring and they just save so much time. Such a shame they don't have these in the UK, it makes them expensive as they have to be shipped from the US but still worth it!!

Hephaestus blocking mats are very good quality. But note the Hephaestus grey mats are not compatible (different thickness and interlock shape) to the yellow Hephaestus mats. So the grey mats can't be used to extend the area of a yellow mat block when needing a larger area for example. Hephaestus mats are also more expensive than others.

Great blocking boards although a little pricey.

Quick to assemble and place the item on to pin for blocking. Easy to use and works great. Sturdy enough for my use, but if you are blocking something that requires a lot of pulling, I recommend ordering a thicker mat set. For my uses though, it is perfect!!

When I started knitting again I noticed on one of my patterns said to soak and block the piece before sewing. I looked around and found one at my local yarn store, but the price was $100 for 3 ft square jigsaw assembly matting. Looking around I found this one on Amazon.Firstly the price was half from the one I saw with the same specs. You get 9 one foot squares made of a sponge like material about 3/8" thick labeled and printed with 1 inch squares for easy measuring, a measuring tape and T-pins. Everything you need to block your creations.If you look at the pics I submitted (ignore color change just a different time of day when last pic was taken), you'll see the piece just completed (back of a sleeveless tunic), then I gently wash & soak them for about 20 minutes in lanolin (I use lanolin on my fine yarns, but any gentle soap will do). Gently squeeze & roll in a towel to remove excess water, never ring them out. Finally measure & pin to the exact pattern measurements onto the blocking mat.The result, a piece that will act like I had just cut fabric from a pattern. It will fit and hang as intended. I block everything now and will buy another set for longer items like cardigans, etc.Worth every penny.

I am very pleased with my purchase. I love the fact that they join together so I can block larger pieces of work.

I love that the lines match up even when you put them all in 1 row. You do have to turn the blocks as you go to keep the lines lining up because it is ment to form a square. I wish it had a carrying case to store in but the box will have to do for now. Overall I’m very satisfied with these!

Works well. Everything you need is inside. Some reviews mention a smell but these did not have a smell. I would recommend it.