Hmmm, that's a tough one... Steaming is probably a good idea for starters. You can always do a full blown wet block if the steaming doesn't work.
I always wet block. So what I'd say is to dunk and pin it out with some negative ease, maybe 3-5 inches, to give it some of that stretch you want.
Ooh, that looks scary. I've never blocked anything, but from what I hear and what that looks like, it seems like a good soak is in order - get those fibers nice and thoroughly wet, you know? Then... streeeetch...
i generally find that wet-blocking makes ribbing stretch out a LOT. i much prefer holding a steaming iron over the piece until i get it to the size i want it; it lets you control the finished size much better, in my opinion.
I wet blocked my lacy hug-me-tight, and that was all 2x2 ribbing. It came out great! I like wet blocking because I feel like it does a better job of getting all the stitches nice and uniform. Good luck - I can't wait to see the finished product!
I usually go with wet blocking. The ribbing will stretch alot and I feel like it won't be too harsh on it. Definitely will make seaming easier 
Wet-block, definitely. It will still spring back some once you unpin it, but you'll have a nice edge for seaming. And if you have blocking wires, I'd totally use them on the sides. Have fun! It looks like it's going to be a beautiful sweater.
I usually do wet immersion blocking, but I wouldn't recommend that with ribbing. If you don't want to steam block, you could pin out the piece to the right measurements and then spray water on it. It's much gentler than immersion blocking, but still gives you some of the advantages of wet blocking without flattening out the ribbing. Good luck!
I like to wet block (it also gives that "just washed" feeling to knits too, right?), but, I think for the ribbing (and it's "integrity") you may want to try steaming first.
Hmmm...I'd spray or steam first, then wet-block if necessary. BTW, one wet-block method I like is to toss pieces in the washer, just rinse and spin (skip the agitation) and then pin the knitting out on a towel. I feel like the pieces keep their shape pretty well this way, and it's nice that the spin cycle gets a good amount of the water out.
You are so close to being done It is going to be lovely! Glad to see you got some help from other people as I don't know much about blocking ribbing. I have used the pin and spray with a spraybottle method (for Orangina)and that can be nice if you don't want to be manhandling a big wet garment. Best of luck!
i wish i could help. but i've never blocked a thing in my life. i probably should. will be interested to see what you do and how it comes out.
I'd wet block but only because I didn't know there were other kinds of blocking until this exact instant - when I read through the comments. I'm excited to see it all put together!
Commenting by HaloScan
