I don't have any tips, but just wanted to say that the blanket is lovely!

I was going to say the exact same thing as Tanya did!

Wow, that is gorgeous - I've never knit anything like this blanket so I can't give any tips on blocking. I've crocheted similar patterns and they've been quite stable, but that's just the nature of crochet. :-\ sorry!

Your baby Hemlock Ring blanket is beautiful! What a great pink, too. I made an adult-sized Hemlock as a Christmas gift. I finished it a few weeks before wrapping it up, and had no trouble with it losing shape after blocking. I just loosely folded it and set it aside until show time. For details, it's on this page http://seattleyogini.typepad.com/seattle_yogini/2007/11/finished-and-th.html
of my blog.

That is so gorgeous! It makes me want to make one myself... almost. :P

No tips, but what a beautiful blankie!

Your blanket is beautiful. I bought some of those foam interlocking pads bright colors on one side and black on the other (Sam's), They work really well for blocking because you can put them together in the shape you need. My only blocking tip is to make sure it gets dry.

I've made 3 Hemlock Ring blankets as gifts and they've all kept their blocking beautifully. Mine were knit with Eco wool or Lamb's Pride worsted, though. I want to make one with Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton next and I wonder how the cotton will do in general.

Yes, Amy, this one is cotton, which is why I'm a little concerned.

Nice suggestions, Frieda. I'll see about getting some foam pads. I like the idea that I can take them apart, since I really don't have room for one of those big blocking boards anyway.

So tips so far: get it really wet and make sure it gets really dry. What about steam blocking?

First-time commenting because I just finished a Hemlock Ring and had very successful blocking.
I pinned out each and every loop, starting with one "corner" and then doing the opposite "corner," working that way (thinking of it as an octagon), tweaking a little bit, seriously stretching it out. I did use Eco Wool, but it blocked out beautifully and maintained its shape after I unpinned it. It did, though, require a lot of pins!

Great blanket!

I wish I knew about people who were expecting a bit further in advance. I hardly ever get to make cute knitted things for a wee one.

In my experience, steam blocking is the best way to go with cotton... but I've never done a Hemlock Blanket, so I don't know the specifics of that pattern.

Hi, Alison? (my cousin is a one-L Alison, too) I was asked by a commenter on the Mason Dixon Teeny Project Runway to send you my Hedwig in a Gryffindor cape. It is on my blog... :)

How lovely! I think it is just perfect. Your friend is going to love it!

Very cool, Grace! You really captured the regal nature of the Harry Potter owl. Nicely done. Good luck with the contest!

Absolutely spectacular blanket, Alison.

Absolutely beautiful. I am thoroughly impressed how you are able to balance life as a mom and all your crafts. Seriously amazing!

Ah, pretty. Excellent colour, too.

Gorgeous!

That is so beautiful! So nicely done.

Best,
firefly

Man, Cheezit is going to be one lucky baby -- it's beautiful! Thank you so much! :)

Er ah with pregnancy it is most of the time 9 mos. to make a baby. You do such beautiful work on your finished objects. Great job!

Arlene

Yeah, 9 calendar months, but at the OB things get measured in 10 4-week months, aka 40 weeks. So as long as I know what week Shannon's in, I know how long I should have before I need to get the baby blanket done!