Olikraft 9.5" Crochet Blocking Board with Pegs 50 Pins - Granny Square Blocking Boards for Crochet Projects - Yarn Supplies Tools and Accessories and Gadgets

This board is of good quality, and I like the 14" size. If you're going to get a blocking board, I would have no hesitation recommending this one, and I'd suggest getting the largest size you're able to. You can block small squares on a big board, but can't block big squares on a small board. I'd never used a blocking board before this one. Some aspects of using one, though obvious in hindsight, were unexpected. The main issue is that stacking multiple squares on the same set of pins relies on the squares having a pretty good amount of tension to keep them from slipping down the pins. That's actually probably pretty achievable in most cases, but it assumes that your squares are all constructed in pretty much the same way, and that you can adjust the pins to be a larger square if you're not getting enough tension to keep them from sliding. The project that I'm working on is more of a sampler afghan. I've got 32 squares made with 16 different patterns. A lot of the patterns came from the same crochet-along, but I got some patterns from elsewhere or even just found interesting stitches and made blocks with them. The result is that I've got a wide variety of degrees of tension when blocking them into 10" squares. Since they're all so different from each other, some are just barely big enough to block to 10" and others have slack to spare. I can't change the size that I'm blocking them to, because a different size wouldn't work for all of the different patterns. The yarn is 100% wool, and I'm wet blocking them, and their elasticity when wet is substantial. The result is that many of them do not stay taut on the pins. (The set of squares that were on the board when I went to take photos are actually the most "evenly taut" out of the six batches I've done so far, and they still have some sag to them.) I ended up using quilting clips as spacers on several pins, just to try to keep some air flow between the squares. It's not a perfect solution, but it's what I had on hand. What I'd really like is some kind of rigid plastic mesh that I could slide down over the pins between squares to provide support for the squares while maintaining air flow, with proper spacers at the corners to support the mesh. The other issue I've come across is that it's very easy to knock a pin loose while pulling a stitch onto a neighboring pin. It's mostly just an annoyance, and would probably be less of an annoyance with smaller squares, where it would be easier to make sure I was putting the pin back in the right hole when fixing it. The next project I plan to use it with will have 380 squares made with acrylic yarn and 3.5" across. I plan to steam block them on the pins and cross my fingers that the steam won't ruin the board. I am optimistic that since they will all be constructed the same way as each other, and the yarn won't be so elastic, and I'll be able to achieve better tension across the pins. And with 380 squares to block, I'll be very glad that I can fit at least 16 of them on the board at once. UPDATE: My new project has been going quite well. The 3.5" acrylic squares work much better than the 10" wool squares. I have been blocking them with a handheld steamer on its highest setting, for 15 Mississippis per square, with the squares positioned at the very tops of the pins. Then I slide them down and mount another batch of squares at the top. That way I'm keeping the steam as far from the wooden board as possible. It does get condensation on the board, but I haven't noticed any warping or other damage. If I do another project with large squares or more elastic yarn again, I will probably still use the board, but I have purchased some nylon netting (the kind often used for sports gear bags, or exterior pockets on backpacks) and some hardware spacers that I intend to use as support for each layer of squares, for projects that need it. Would be nice if they offered a product that was a more rigid mesh with holes that lined up perfectly with the pin holes. But hopefully my home made version will at least get me halfway to perfect.

I ordered this blocking board, actually ordered the larger one, which includes the metal pins and stand. I was both happy and sad on the day I received it. You see, when it was packaged, the box and contents was not sealed shut with adhesive tape! So, the stand and 17 of the metal pins were missing. Upon inspection I noted that the blocking board was sturdy, nice and heavy and well made. The wood was polished and beautifully made, the metal pins were of excellent quality as well; the pins were smooth and weighted. I was totally pleased with the product. Now, being it was the weekend, I didn’t have any expectation of reaching anyone, when I opted to contact the vendor instead of returning the board. I went onto the Amazon page for doing returns, etc and saw a tab where I could contact the vendor. I submitted an email to explain the parts I was missing and asked help to resolve the problem. Sunday morning I was surprised that a lady by the name of Geraldine contacted me, requested the order number and within an hour informed me they would be sending me another set. Today I was informed the item is in transit. This company has outstanding customer service and the product is extremely well made and will be used for years. I totally recommend this product and the company Olikraft. This type of a quality product AND customer service is rare nowadays. Great job, Olikraft! Thank you!!

If you are on the fence about purchasing the blocking board, jump off and do it!! The board is solid, beautiful, and the perfect size for my needs. The back of the board is also felted so it won't scratch whatever surface you may rest it on. I love the stand it comes with. I won't hesitate purchasing a larger board in the future if I feel I need another one.

This board is perfect for all the granny squares. I thought I'd need more pegs, but that wasn't an issue at all.

Got what I ordered, it is a Christmas present so I have not tested it but the packaging was high quality and all the pieces listed were delivered.

This board has much to commend it. It has features not found on most other boards. First, the felt back is a nice feature so you can lay the board flat without damaging your tabletops. The contrasting frame makes it look more finished and attractive so that you can display it with or without a square attached. The base is wide so that is is stable when standing and finally, the holes are precisely 1/2 apart which is not always the case. It comes with a big bag of pins as well. You might be able to buy a cheaper board but by the time you buy additional pins, you’ve spent about the same amount. In the photo there are six squares stacked. I highly recommend this board.

I have been crocheting for 40+ years and never thought about blocking my crochet. I embarked on an 850 square blanket and immediately thought blocking was needed - and found this tool via Elise Rose Crochet's YouTube. Love it! Perfect for my sock-weight yarn squares. They will be so easy to join!

My granddaughter was thrilled with this gift.