Make your own blocking wires

I just finished my first large crocheted lace project that needed to be blocked. Since the edges needed to be straight, and I really wasn't in the mood to pin 10000 pins every 1/4", I needed blocking wires.

I saw a kit while in Buffalo at the CGOA show, but couldn't swing the cost or getting it home in my suitcase. I had no where near me I could go pick a kit up, and I needed it sooner than it would take to get shipped.

So what does a DIY person do? Make her own blocking wires.

And now you can, too.

I went to Lowe's (home improvement store) and first picked up a pack of marking flags. I found them in the tools section. There were different sets and sizes. I chose the 21" long ones so I'd have longer wires. Unfortunately, they were out of the smaller number in a set, so I ended up buying a bunch. A whole bunch. I may be decorating the lawn this Halloween with them. But I chose these because the wires are thin and flexible to allow for curved blocking later.

Anyway, I also got a can of Plastic Dip. This is the stuff used to make a plastic coating on tool handles. Found it in the paint section by the spray paint cans. Here's a pic of what I got:



Here's how I turned these two items into a set of blocking wires.

Step 1: Remove flags from wire

Now, you can either cut these off, or do as I did and pull them off. It takes a bit of work, but it's possible to pull it apart at the glue line and remove them.



Set the flags aside or throw them out. I have in mind a project to make later with the rolls of marking flag "tape" you can buy in the same aisle as the flags. But that's for later. :)


Step 2: Cleaning the wires

The wires are kinda grungy on their own, and where the flags attach it's really gummy. They need to be cleaned. I started by filling the sink with hot soapy water and dropping the wires in (flagged end down) after removing the flag.



I also used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on them. I just ran it up and down the wire, twisting the wire as I did, until it wiped clean. Then I laid them all out on a towel to dry.


Step 3: Protective plastic dip on ends

Now, this is optional, but I wanted the ends to be a bit more protected, so I chose to do the plastic tips. If you are careful, you can use them as is. But, if you want to use the plastic, here's how you go about it.

I went out to the garage. This stuff STINKS and needs to be done in a well ventilated area. I would not do this inside. I used a cardboard box turned upside down and punched 12 holes in the bottom of the box to place the wires in to dry. Following directions on the can, I dipped about 1" of the end of the wire into the plastic dip then let them sit in the cardboard box holes. They'll look a little bulbous when they first come out of the dip, but it does pull into itself as it dries.




Here's all of them drying:



I let them dry for a few hours, then went back into the garage and did the other end.

I only did one coat on each end. I might go back later and build up another coat or two, but I needed them a little faster than that. :)

Here's the before and after look of the wires:



And the wires in use (with a sneak peek of the lace project):




I hope this helps anyone who needs a set of blocking wires. They're not really long, but they work well. I was able to easily weave it in and out of the openings on my project and pull it evenly to stretch and block.