Blocking mats: what to look for

An editorial buying guide, not a hands-on test. This page covers a type of product. We have not tested a specific product for it, and we do not publish star ratings. We will name individual products only after we have tested them.

Our advice

A set of interlocking, gridded foam tiles is worth buying if you make garments, shawls or squares, and skip if you only make amigurumi.

What works

Pins go in easily, and the grid helps you square up edges.
Tiles interlock, so you can make a large surface for a blanket.
Light and easy to store.

Trade-offs

Cheap foam may leave marks on pale yarn.
They take up space when in use.
Not needed for small, stuffed projects.

What we look for

Thickness. Around 1 cm gives pins somewhere to go. Thin mats let pins scratch the surface underneath.
A printed grid. It helps you keep edges square and measure.
Interlocking edges. These let you build larger surfaces and keep tiles from sliding apart.
Number of tiles. Nine gives a workable square for most garments and blankets.

Who should buy

People making garments, shawls, granny squares and blankets. A towel and a table are a good alternative for occasional use.

Who should skip

If your projects are mostly amigurumi or firm cotton items, you probably do not need mats at all.