I've just finish knitting a lacy scarf and weaving the yarn ends. I didn't use the recommend yarn. For the finishing, the pattern states:
"Soak scarf in cool water until thoroughly wet. Gently squeeze out the excess water. Place the scarf between two towels and press out more water. Block by pinning the damp scarf on a flat surface. Remove when completely dry."

I've never blocked a knitted item before but as this is a gift, do you think it's possible to steam block instead? The yarn that I use is Debbie Bliss's Cathay (cotton/microfibre/silk) and worry that it'll not dry in time for tomorrow morning if I were to soak it. Can this yarn be steam blocked? I've only ever steam blocked on cotton yarn.

Also, should I use a fray check on the yarn ends to stop it from becoming 'untwisted' and unravelling after all the weaving? Will the yarn ends unravel over time when washed?

I often made knitted/crocheted item as gifts but nothing to show for myself so have no experience on how they turn out after washing.

Thank you in advance for all advice/information.

I've never touched Cathay, never mind knit with it so I'm very reluctant to offer advice especially as viscose/microfibre is not something I know anything about. Did you have any left overs that you can experiment on? I've steam blocked wool but that's my limit I'm afraid. I will admit that I find steam blocking a nerve wracking experience every time and I only do it when I'm short on drying time (like you are).

If you've got a few spare bits (even if it's the leftovers from the bits you've woven in) you could see what happens to them with a bit of steam. Ideally you'd have enough to knit a sample and block it but I imagine if that was the case then you would have already done that.

I am hoping that there are some experienced Cathay users on here because you don't have a lot of time to play with.

Thanks for the tip :). I managed to do a quick swatch and the steam blocking works out well. Working on new projects excites me that I often forgot most times to do a swatch. I should really should get in the habit of doing one for each yarn for future reference and not leave blocking at the last minute.

Because I don't want to start another thread, I'm going to hijack this one (sorry justaname).

I, quite sadly, rarely block things (scandalous, I know) but I have just knit up the Dream Swatch (http://www.knitandtonic.typepad.com/dreamswatchwrap.pdf) headband using some beautiful alchemy yarn. However, it does need blocking as it keeps screwing itself up :/

My question ... the yarn is 50% silk and 50% wool. What would be the best method of blocking it?

Thank you :D

I did mums Branching out scarf using a yarn with 50% silk and 50% wool and did a full wet block (soaked it in water with a little fabric conditioner, gently squeezed it out then stomped on it between 2 towels to get it as dry as possible before blocking it) - it came out really well that way as I needed to open out the lace a bit. Now my turn - Im currently knitting a scarf in Hipknits 100% aran silk...whats the best way to block that one?:D

I knit with Jaggerspun Zephyr which is 50:50 wool/silk and I do what Lisa does - soak it (I use plain water), roll it in a big towel and stand on it and then pin it out to dry. I find that silk has a tendency to balloon out to scary proportions so I'd go easy in handling it when it's wet (unless you want a really big scarf..)

Cheers m'dears :D

Lisa, I have no idea, sorry :p