Finishing can be done with the float and trowel (see the tool page, Chapter XIII) to achieve a smooth surface; but if you want a textured surface or a patterned one, you will want to use other implements once you have floated the surface smooth. A good stiff broom or an old whisk broom may be used to make swirls or straight striations in the surface when the concrete is just beginning to set. A wire brush can also be used to scrape regular patterns into the surface or to brush out the nearly set cement to expose the aggregates for an Exposed Aggregate finish. (This is detailed in Chapter XIII.) Various other implements may be used to imprint patterns in cast blocks: small tin cans either round or square, thin wood blocks or strips of tin soldered together in crosses, diamonds, stars, triangles, or other geometric or freeform shapes, or cookie cutters- all of these may be utilized to print designs at regular intervals or as your fancy dictates.

. . . casting blocks in other ways
If you wish to cast terrace or stepping stone blocks without the trouble of building wooden forms, you can sometimes use the soil itself for the form, casting the blocks in the exact location in which they are to remain. Be sure, however, that the soil is reasonably firm and not too sandy, so that it will hold its shape and not crumble, destroying the edge you want to maintain for the block. Water the soil well a day or two in advance of digging it out so that it will be moist and hold together. Cut the stepping stone or terrace block spaces in the lawn or the soil with a sharp, square-ended spade, then dig it out carefully with a trowel, using a putty knife to remove the corner earth and keep the corners square, if that is the effect for which you are striving. Stepping stones should be at least 21/2 inches thick, with 3 to 4 inches being preferred, and they should be cast on two or more inches of pea gravel or sand or cinders to provide drainage and prevent frost from heaving them.