Blocking is not about forcing a project to become something it is not. It is a controlled wash, soak, or steam that lets fibres settle and stitches become more even.
Check the yarn-care guidance first. Then test your method on a swatch where possible. After gently removing excess water, lay the knitting flat to its intended measurements and let it dry fully.
For lace and eyelets, a block can reveal the pattern. For textured knits, it can make the fabric easier to assess. Take your measurements after blocking, not before.
