The magical powers of blocking

When my shawl came off the needles it was a shrivelled, misshapen and distinctly unappealing thing!

However, after a good soaking it was pinned onto my garden seat, over a towel, to dry in the sun...

I love how this process changes the whole feel and shape of a piece of knitting or crochet. It is so much more drapey now and almost twice the size

And here it is being modelled by my able assistant, Mabel!