Repeat Crafter Me

Crafts, DIY projects, FREE crochet patterns, crock pot recipes and more!

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Crafting
  • Crocheting
  • Crockpotting
  • Contact
  • Books

Crochet Pixel Square Blocking (Docking) Station

May 5, 2015

I’ve been working on a pixel square blanket for the past month. If you didn’t catch my first two posts about it you can see it HERE and HERE. It is going to be a cute cupcake design…eventually 🙂 With well over 500 squares to make, I think I underestimated the time this blanket will take. But as my piles of squares continue to stack up, I noticed that my cute little pixels were starting to curl and look rounded and sometimes uneven. So I created a blocking station for them to sit on! Although I had to use the word blocking because I did not block these squares in the traditional way you would block an afghan square. Typically you would wet the squares and pin them down, one by one. Moogly has a great tutorial for this HERE. In my case, I just wanted to stretch the yarn a bit and let the squares take shape. I was inspired by THIS fabulous blocking station by LookAtWhatIMade.  Her version is a true blocking station while mine is more of a docking station 🙂

Here’s my sad little stacks of pixels BEFORE my docking station was created.

I used a large piece of styrofoam board (purchased at Michaels Craft Store). It measures 2x12x28 inches and I ended up cutting it in half since I wanted two different stations (one for upstairs and one for downstairs). I used bamboo skewers from the grocery store to pin the blocks down but sometimes the wood on the skewers would split and the yarn would catch. Remember that game Pick Up Sticks? Those would have worked better in my mind.

Poke the skewers into the foam in 2.5 inch squares around. Leave a one inch gap between each square.

I place the pixel squares on the skewers in stack of 10. You really don’t want to go much higher than that because the skewers start to lose support and bend inwards towards the top.
Here is the difference between a pixel square that has been docked overnight versus one that hasn’t.

Signature
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share

Filed Under: Crocheting, Uncategorized 41 Comments

Related Posts

  • Starbucks Stitch Markers and Bottled Beverages
  • Crochet Christmas Tree Pixel Square
  • Crochet Santa Pixel Square
  • Crochet Daisy Rug with Clover Amour Large Hooks and Giveaway!

Comments

  1. gilly says

    May 5, 2015 at 4:19 pm

    What a great idea! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Samantha says

    May 5, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    Now that's clever!

    Reply
  3. LH says

    May 5, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    Love this!

    Reply
  4. Margaret says

    May 5, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    Bright idea. Thanks for sharing.

    Dear greetings, Margaret

    Reply
  5. Linda says

    May 5, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    Thanks for sharing that great idea! I love it.

    Reply
  6. Bonnie Matthews says

    May 5, 2015 at 10:31 pm

    You are a GENIUS!!!! Perfect timing, too! I am making squares with the MyPicot stitch and wanted to do something like this but can't ask hubby to cut pegboard and wood and things like that because is working major hours right now. I was going to Walmart tomorrow anyway and will pick up styrofoam and skewers and be thanking you as I do it!!!!!

    Reply
  7. Pat Frank says

    May 6, 2015 at 1:44 am

    What a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea; what a difference it makes on the squares!

    Reply
  8. Jessica Schneidereit says

    May 6, 2015 at 1:57 am

    My skin needs a docking station for night, that way I can wake up all smooth and fresh!

    Reply
    • Carole-Jayne Watson says

      May 9, 2015 at 10:34 pm

      You are HYSTERICAL – you have made my day – I'm unpacking from my final move and figure ….oh, Sept 2017 will be the end of *this* WIP
      Best

      Reply
  9. Марина says

    May 6, 2015 at 9:33 am

    Thanks for such a wonderful idea!!! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Carole-Jayne Watson says

    May 9, 2015 at 10:37 pm

    I think this is brilliant – isn't it nice when everbody contributes to the concept. 2B honest this will encourage me to make larger projects of squares – mine always scatter to the four winds! Thank you.
    Best

    Reply
  11. mamaacres says

    May 10, 2015 at 3:47 am

    Do you leave them on there until you are ready to put your project together?

    Reply
  12. krystal s says

    May 11, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    What a great idea. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
  13. Dee L says

    May 13, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    Just had a lightbulb moment, you can only stack them about 10 high because the skewers start to bend inwards, how about if you made some little cardboard spacers about the size of your squares, putting holes in the corners for the skewers, and then slip one of those in between every 10 or so? Then your skewers would stay straight, and you could stack higher and save space 🙂 And if you didn't have any cardboard kicking around, maybe some thin plastic (like the lid of an ice cream container?) or something similar. Just something to reinforce the position of the skewers 🙂

    Reply
    • Rhonda Davis says

      August 5, 2015 at 4:45 pm

      Now that is a great idea Dee!!

      Reply
    • Sandy Anderson says

      January 8, 2017 at 4:37 pm

      Dee L.
      That is a great idea. I’ll have to remember all of this when I decide to make some squares.

      Reply
    • Emma, Sol som sol? says

      October 9, 2022 at 8:52 am

      I was thinking exactly the same thing as I know those sticks look straight but oh no, they aren’t!

      Reply
  14. Luxe Coach Purses says

    June 11, 2015 at 2:56 am

    coach outlet online
    coach factory
    coach outlet usa
    coach outlet
    coach store online
    coach outlet
    chanel sunglasses
    converse shoes
    coach handbags
    eyeglasses online
    eyeglass frames
    burberry clothes
    salvatore ferragamo
    ferragamo shoes
    hair straightener
    gucci shoes outlet
    gucci handbags
    gucci factory
    gucci outlet
    gucci shoes
    gucci shoes
    hermes
    hermes birkin
    hermes outlet online
    hollister
    hollister clothing
    insanity workout
    iphone cases
    jimmy choo
    jordan retro
    jordan shoes
    juicy couture outlet
    juicy couture handbags
    kate spade
    kate spade handbags
    kate spade outlet online
    longchamp
    longchamp handbags
    louboutin
    louis vuitton canada
    louis vuitton bags
    louis vuitton

    Reply
  15. Apple Lin says

    June 17, 2015 at 3:15 am

    louis vuitton, http://www.louisvuitton-outlet.com.co/

    louis vuitton, http://www.louisvuitton-outlets.us/

    marc jacobs handbags, http://www.marcjacobsonsale.com/

    mcm bags, http://www.mcm-bags.net/

    mcm backpack, http://www.mcmhandbags.com.co/

    michael kors, http://www.michaelkors.so/

    cheap michael kors, http://www.michael–kors.us.com/

    michael kors bags sale, http://www.michaelkorsbags.us.org/

    coach outlet, http://www.coachoutlet-online.com.co/

    coach store online, http://www.coachoutletstore.net.co/

    coach outlet, http://www.coachoutletstore-online.com.co/

    chanel sunglasses, http://www.coco-chanelbags.com.co/

    converse shoes, http://www.converse.net.co/

    coach handbags, http://www.designerhandbagsoutlet.com.co/

    eyeglasses online, http://www.eyeglassesonline.us.com/

    eyeglass frames, http://www.eyeglassframes.us.com/

    burberry clothes, http://www.fashion-clothing.us.com/

    salvatore ferragamo, http://www.ferragamo.com.co/

    ferragamo shoes, http://www.ferragamoshoes.net/

    Reply
  16. Unknown says

    June 24, 2015 at 2:15 am

    manchester united jersey
    aaron rodgers jersey,clay matthews jersey,cheap reggie white jersey,matt flynn jersey,jamari lattimore jersey,randall cobb jersey
    dolphins jerseys
    kyle wilber jersey,jeremy mincey jersey,jeff heath jersey,dez bryant jersey,dan bailey jersey,rolando mcclain jersey,george selvie jersey,larry allen jersey,uche nwaneri jersey,roger staubach jersey,gavin escobar jersey
    robert griffin jersey,joe theismann jersey,andre roberts jersey,sonny jurgensen jersey,art monk jersey,bashaud breeland jersey,barry cofield jersey,perry riley jersey,e.j. biggers jersey,duke ihenacho jersey,josh morgan jersey
    tim duncan jersey
    knicks jersey
    oakley sunglasses wholesale
    cowboys jerseys
    nike air max
    coach outlet store
    denver broncos jerseys
    air max 2014
    arthur jones jersey,deonte thompson jersey,courtney upshaw jersey,timmy jernigan jersey,jeromy miles jersey,haloti ngata jersey,joe flacco jersey,steve smith sr jersey
    cheap nba jerseys
    oklahoma city thunder jerseys
    barcelona football shirts
    nike free
    nike free uk
    nba jerseys
    jets jersey
    stephen curry jersey
    oakland raiders jerseys
    heat jersey
    spurs jersey
    north face jackets
    nike air max,air max uk,air max 90,nike air max 90,air max shoes
    mbt sneakers
    monster beats
    mizuno shoes
    moncler jackets
    wei20150624

    Reply
  17. khairy says

    July 29, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    شركة نقل عفش بالدمام
    شركة نقل اثاث الدمام
    شركة غسيل خزانات بالدمام
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالدمام
    شركة تخزين اثاث بالدمام
    شركة نظافة عامه بالدمام
    نقل عفش الخبر
    مؤسسة نقل اثاث الدمام
    نقل عفش الدمام
    نقل عفش داخل الدمام
    نظافة بيوت بالخبر
    شركة نظافه عامه بالمدينه المنوره
    شركة تسويق الكترونى بالسعوديه
    شركة تسويق الكترونى بالسعوديه

    Reply
  18. khairy says

    July 29, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    شركة نقل اثاث بالاحساء
    شركة نظافه عامه بالمنطقه الشرقيه
    شركة نقل اثاث الدمام
    شركة نقل عفش بالخبر
    شركة نقل اثاث فى الخبر
    شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالدمام
    شركة مكافحة الفئران بالدمام
    شركة غسيل خزانات بالدمام
    شركة غسيل عماير بالمدينه المنوره
    شركة برمجة تطبيقات الاندرويد
    مؤسسة نقل الدمام لنقل الاثاث
    شركة غسيل خزانات بالدمام
    شركة غسيل كنب بالدمام
    شركة غسيل سجاد بالدمام
    شركة غسيل عماير بالدمام

    Reply
  19. khairy says

    July 29, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالدمام
    شركة نظافه عامه بالدمام
    شركة غسيلل فلل بالدمام
    مؤسسة نقل اثاث بالدمام
    شركة نظافه عامه بالدمام
    شركة غسيل كنب بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف منازل بالدمام
    شركة تسليك مجارى بالدمام
    شركة غسيل فلل بالدمام
    غسيل عمائر بالدمام
    شركة نقل اثاث بالدمام
    شركة غسيل خزانات بالدمام
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالدمام
    شركة غسيل مسابح بالدمام
    شركة غسيل الفلل بالدمام

    Reply
  20. khairy says

    July 29, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    شركة غسيل كنب بالدمام
    خدمات تنظيف بالمملكه
    شركة مكافحة صراصير بالدمام
    شركة نقل اثاث بالدمام
    شركة نقل اثاث بالدمام
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالدمام
    شركة نظافه بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف منازل بالدمام
    شركة غسيل خزانات بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف منازل بالمدينه المنوره
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالمدينه المنوره
    شركة غسيل خزانات بالمدينه المنوره
    شركة نقل اثاث بالمدينه المنوره
    شركة نقل اثاث بالمدينه المنوره
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالمدينه المنوره
    شركة نظافه عامه بالمدينه المنوره
    برامج محاسبيه
    برنامج محاسبة مقاولات
    برنامج محاسبة مقاولات
    برنامج مقاولات

    Reply
  21. Linda Treadway-Dillmon says

    August 26, 2015 at 10:15 pm

    Instead of skewers for the docking station, I plan to use lollipop sticks. They are nice and smooth. Thanks for sharing your projects. I crochet 9 afghans a year; and donate them to our Senior Center for raffles at their holiday luncheons, to raise money for the Center. I think they will get a kick out of the cupcake afghan. Thanks again for the inspiration.

    Reply
  22. Meghan says

    August 30, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    What about using peg board instead. The holes are already even so no drilling and they are very cheap at the hardware store. And you could resize the squares by just moving the doweling rods when needed.

    Reply
  23. Sarah says

    October 12, 2015 at 8:01 am

    AMAZING!! Thank you! I am working on my own Pixel blacket right now, this is perfec!

    Reply
  24. Samantha says

    January 17, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Did you wet the squares then put them in the docking place

    Reply
  25. MARINA SIBELLINO says

    April 24, 2016 at 8:48 am

    Thank you for sharing this great tip! It’s been ages since my last granny square and I remember the grannies were rather crooked. I’ll take your advice the next time I’ll Crochet something that includes squares.

    Reply
  26. Zella says

    April 25, 2016 at 1:35 am

    You may still be able to find Pick Up Sticks at a dollar store like The Dollar Tree. Sometimes I find old games there like jacks, pick up sticks, old maid and such.
    This is a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  27. Shirley says

    April 25, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    Awesome idea!!! I thought a first that you had found a place to purchase the item for blocking, then, after going to your site and finding YOU MADE IT, it blew my mind! Great idea! Since I’m a crafter/hoarder , I have plenty of the supplies in my work area!!! I’m doing a circle in a granny square blanket and this is just the ticket to block the blocks!! Thanks for sharing!
    Shirley

    Reply
  28. jackie l-j says

    July 15, 2016 at 3:00 am

    have you tried using a cardboard box as the base for the docking station with bamboo sticks
    like you if I just want to keep a peace in shape for a short time I use the same idea as you but I try to reuse a heavy cardboard box
    it’s easy to make a small hole just a little too small (use a metal knitting needle) I place the worked peace on the box then use the knitting needle to make the holes, after that the sticks the next worked peace goes on top of the first peace
    a cheap and simple way to keep worked peace’s in shape until they can be worked into the afghan or what they are needed for

    Reply
  29. Hailey says

    September 7, 2016 at 9:54 am

    Did you leave the squares on the docking station until you were ready to join them or did you just leave them on over night and that was enough?

    Reply
  30. Janine Franco says

    November 17, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    Love this idea. For your docking station how long do you leave the granny squares on there? And after you take them off do they hold their shape?

    Reply
  31. KarenHeinz says

    November 26, 2016 at 2:49 am

    Hats off to this idea

    Reply
  32. Allyson says

    June 26, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    I loved this idea but tried wooden dowels first instead of the skewers. Ended up getting the skewers because I was tearing apart the styrofoam. So I wrapped my skewers with wide painters tape so that the wood wouldn’t splinter and they are working great! Thank you so much for this idea.

    Reply
  33. Alka says

    January 5, 2018 at 2:51 am

    that could be a brilliant idea. I’ll ought to consider all of this when I decide to make some squares.
    Gurgaon Companion

    Reply
  34. Gail says

    August 25, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    Love this idea i used 3/16 inch wooden round dowel from the craft sections

    Reply
  35. rem markle says

    October 15, 2019 at 2:35 pm

    So you use either quarter inch or eighth of an inch dowel rods pixel squares

    Reply
  36. Agency Chandigarh says

    December 16, 2022 at 4:51 am

    I liked your article very much. I think your article among the best articles that encourage people. All the members of our agency Chandigarh have been very attracted to your article. Thank you sir

    Reply
  37. Sonam Sharma says

    December 26, 2022 at 12:00 am

    Amazing skillset and art! It has a great feeling when you make something by yourself. I remember my sister was knitting a sweater for me.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Hi and thanks for stopping by! I'm Sarah, the crafter, crocheter and occasional crockpotter behind this blog. As a wife and mom of 3 my days are busy but I always find time to pick up my crochet hook or indulge in something crafty. I have a passion for crafting and crocheting and offer my patterns and tutorials for free! I hope you enjoy everything you find here and please feel free to repeat after me!

NEW BOOK PRE-ORDER!
Crochet Cute Critters on Sale!
Quackers & Waddles FREE PATTERN!

Privacy

Follow by Email

© 2023 · Repeat Crafter Me · Site by High Note Designs