KnitIQ Blocking Mats for Knitting & Crochet Projects – Extra Thick Blocking Boards for Crochet Projects with Gridlines, 100 T-pins and Storage Bag for Knitting Supplies - Standard Mat Set - Pack of 9

I’m fairly new to the crocheting world, and I knew eventually I would run into the issue that I would have to block my work. I had finished 3 projects (a small bag for my crochet hooks, needles, scissors, and yarn, a blanket, and an afghan) that didn’t need to be blocked. And then I started doing granny squares and realized it wasn’t going to be as easy as the other things I had completed. I did not have any idea how I was going to block them because I did not have the right equipment, per se. Well I put my thinking cap on and did the best that I could do at the time. I improvised and it worked, sorta. Anyway, I started on another afghan and the yarn I used was not laying the same way my other projects did so I decided I was NOT going to go through what I went through the last time. So, the hunt was on! I looked at all the mats I could find and I kept coming back to these. I read the reviews and decided to give these a try, even though some reviews stated the lines didn’t line up. I am SO glad I bought these! The afghan I made is long, like most afghans, so I needed several sets of these. I bought 4 sets, I only needed 2 mats from the fourth set but hey, I would rather have too many than not enough. Each mat is approximately 12 x 12 and they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. They come with 100 pins, I counted them, and the case has a handle for easy carrying. Storing them is a breeze!Now some people were saying the lines didn’t match up when they connected them. I ran into the same problem. But, each mat has 4 sides so I just turned the mat. By doing that, problem solved! My lines are now straight!If you are looking for mats for blocking your work, look no further! These mats are thick. They are sturdy. They are SO easy to use. And they do the job beautifully!Thanks guys for making a wonderful product. And if I need more, there is NO doubt in my mind I will buy more!

This is not my first set of blocking mats, and they were more expensive than the others by a good bit. There are several reasons why I forked over a significant amount of money for new mats when I already had others.1) These don't stink up the house or my project. You can read reviews about the smell of several of the less expensive mats, but here is one thing you don't want to find out in person: Hair fibers (wool, alpaca, yak, camel hair, etc.) absorb and retain odors to a much greater degree than other fibers, and you are much more limited in what you can do about it afterward.2) THE GRIDLINES MATCH UP! In the first set of mats I bought (another brand), the gridlines do not match up after they are snapped together. I just got through blocking a severely warped kerchief. It was not warped from poor technique, but because every single feature of that crochet pattern resulted in warping. It was crocheted on the bias, with alternate rows being slipstitches only, so that all structure-building rows were worked the same direction. Normally, when you work back and forth, the slight slant in one direction in one row is canceled by the slant in the opposite direction of the next row. It was essentiall that I be able line up rows with lines on both sides of the work. Without that feature, it would have been far more difficult to block correctly. If the lines don't match up from block to block, you can use lines only for items less than 12 inches at the widest point. No other mat I looked at had this feature, and more than a few reviewers were truly annoyed by this.3) The ink does not come off when you steam the item.4) These are thicker. I did not consider that a factor in my decision, but afterward, I realized that it is a worthwhile feature. The warped kerchief had to be stretched hard. (Use blocking wires to prevent a spiderweb effect when blocking hard.) If the mats had not been thick, the T-pins would not have been secure enough to withstand the strain.5) They come with zippered vinyl storage cases. Not having them would not be a deal breaker, but they are nice to have.6) They come with T-pins and tape measure included. Again, not a deal breaker, but it was nice to have to them in a little box right there in the vinyl storage bag. There are enough pins for blocking with wires, but not likely enough if you are pinning out an item directly.And the kerchief? It blocked beautifully, with gorgeous drape. (I had watched a finishing class which showed how fluidly the blocked vest front draped in comparison with the unblocked front, but seeing how incredible the change was in person was an eye-opener.) Because I started with bags, dishcloths, and similar items, blocking was not a priority until now.

I looked at several brands of blocking mats before I decided on these. The biggest selling point for me was that they were gridded on both sides. The inch grid on one side is good for larger projects, but the metric grin on the reverse side is what I use more often since I like to block my afghan squares individually before assembling them into the project. The mats are easy to fit together and stay locked in. But they are also easy to take apart and store when the project is done. Blocking pins go in smoothly and stay in place. This has been good for both small and large projects since the mats can be configured many different ways. The zippered storage bag fits all the mats perfectly and is easy to pick up, carry, and store away. Though this one set has worked well for me so far, I will probably buy another set in the future as I make bigger projects.

Back in the day I blocked my crochet designs using cheap pins and a piece of carpet. I absolutely love these blocking mats and the high quality stainless steel pins. It's true that the grid lines are a bit wonky, but I measure meticulously while pinning so it's not an issue. The ability to configure the individual boards to fit my projects is everything. I have two Artisan sets and two 3-mat sets, enough for a 4'x6' grid and numerous configurations. Perfect for blocking sweaters AND afghans (the afghan pictured is 43"x63"). Worth every penny. LOVE!

As ordered

Pleased with this purchase. I like it having cm and inch increments. Also nice to have a carrying case with it although I don't know how long the plastic will hold up. Have used it several times now with no issues.

I ordered the Natural and received the Artisan. Not my favourite but the set is a good one and compact.

Can't knit without it.Can be put together wide enough for a sweater and in length for a blanket, which I did !Perfect product.