topic Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater in Fashion

Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:38:26 GMT

I purchased my first Aran Craft cardigan this past spring and now it’s a little loose. I’d like to try to shrink it a bit. I’ve read about how to do it, but admittedly am a little nervous about botching the whole thing.

Have you done this? Was it a success or fail?

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

Foxxee — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:00:03 GMT

I assume it fit when it was new and haven't lost weight. Sounds like it may have stretched. Sometimes wool sweaters of this type will do that.

You'd have to use water to get it back into its original shape; however all wool is not amenable to being washed in water. You can find out how on the internet, probably some videos on Youtube.

I'd take it to the cleaners.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

ellietoo — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:05:33 GMT

A few years ago when I was recovering from an illness someone decided to help me by doing a few loads of laundry. Somehow my Merino wool sweater got thrown into the washer and dryer. I can attest to the fact that it will shrink but probably more than you want. The beautiful wool knit is never the same after coming in contact with water.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

jackthebear — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:08:45 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I purchased my first Aran Craft cardigan this past spring and now it’s a little loose. I’d like to try to shrink it a bit. I’ve read about how to do it, but admittedly am a little nervous about botching the whole thing.

Have you done this? Was it a success or fail?

what are you trying to do?

as a knitter i can offer some advice

wool will stretch as you wear it, from what you said you don't really want to shrink it but get it back to what it was like when new

so just wash in cold water with a wool wash like eucalan, and flat dry, as you lay it out shape it

shrinking is felting which is not what you want to do

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

jackthebear — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:09:58 GMT

@ellietoo wrote:
A few years ago when I was recovering from an illness someone decided to help me by doing a few loads of laundry. Somehow my Merino wool sweater got thrown into the washer and dryer. I can attest to the fact that it will shrink but probably more than you want. The beautiful wool knit is never the same after coming in contact with water.

that is not how to wash wool in the machine,

sheep live in the outside and get wet so wool can be washed

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:19:58 GMT

@Foxxee wrote:
I assume it fit when it was new and haven't lost weight. Sounds like it may have stretched. Sometimes wool sweaters of this type will do that.

You'd have to use water to get it back into its original shape; however all wool is not amenable to being washed in water. You can find out how on the internet, probably some videos on Youtube.

I'd take it to the cleaners.

@Foxxee I’ve only worn the sweater once for s very short time and I have lost a lot of weight. The articles I’ve read essentially said to get the garment wet and put it in the dryer, checking on it every 6 minutes.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:22:43 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I purchased my first Aran Craft cardigan this past spring and now it’s a little loose. I’d like to try to shrink it a bit. I’ve read about how to do it, but admittedly am a little nervous about botching the whole thing.

Have you done this? Was it a success or fail?
what are you trying to do?
as a knitter i can offer some advice
wool will stretch as you wear it, from what you said you don't really want to shrink it but get it back to what it was like when new

so just wash in cold water with a wool wash like eucalan, and flat dry, as you lay it out shape it

shrinking is felting which is not what you want to do

@jackthebear thank you. I’ve lost weight so I’d like it a little smaller than when it was new. Would Woolite be ok? What about a little time in the dryer?

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

Foxxee — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:32:53 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@Foxxee wrote:
I assume it fit when it was new and haven't lost weight. Sounds like it may have stretched. Sometimes wool sweaters of this type will do that.

You'd have to use water to get it back into its original shape; however all wool is not amenable to being washed in water. You can find out how on the internet, probably some videos on Youtube.

I'd take it to the cleaners.
@Foxxee I’ve only worn the sweater once for s very short time and I have lost a lot of weight. The articles I’ve read essentially said to get the garment wet and put it in the dryer, checking on it every 6 minutes.

@JeanLouiseFinch

Yes, then you do want to shrink it. I would try the dryer, too.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

msgb — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:33:10 GMT

Perhaps of there is a yarn/knitting store in your area you might give them a call regarding what they might suggest.

Otherwise google knitting or yarn sites and either email or call them up and they might be able to tell you what would be the best way to tend to this issue.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

drizzellla — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:35:50 GMT

@ellietoo wrote:
A few years ago when I was recovering from an illness someone decided to help me by doing a few loads of laundry. Somehow my Merino wool sweater got thrown into the washer and dryer. I can attest to the fact that it will shrink but probably more than you want. The beautiful wool knit is never the same after coming in contact with water.

I had a similar accident happen. Somehow the sweater ended up in the washer. It didn't go through the dryer. But it shrunk so much that I gave the sweater to my 8 year old niece.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

Venezia — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:42:42 GMT

@drizzellla - LOL. I had some beautiful wool pants years ago and without thinking threw them in the washer. I also donated mine to a much younger member of the family!

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

LindaSal — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:20:22 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch If it were me I would consult a local dry cleaner. They would most likely be able to at least get it back into it's original shape. With the price of merino wool sweaters, I wouldn't trust myself, but that's me. I own several of them and wouldn't risk wetting them for any reason.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

ALRATIBA — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:31:17 GMT

If you put it in the washing machine and dryer - it will more than likely shrink up to fit a child.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

ROMARY — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 20:09:21 GMT

I used to wash all wool sweaters in Woolite. Never had a problem, but always layed flat on top of a couple of towels on a drying rack.

Keep removing the wet towels and use dry ones, as you periodically turn over the sweater.

Keep in mind that I didn't wash or own heavy marino wool cardigan sweaters.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

ECBG — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 02:16:48 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch Shrinkage can't be controlled.

I would suggest you take it to a seamstress and have her take it in and overcast the edges.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

Katcat1 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 02:58:13 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch It is probably a dry clean sweater? Send it to the dry cleansers as it always shrinks a little at the dry cleaners. I would be cautious to wash it.

Re: Shrinking a Merino Wool Sweater

jackthebear — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:58:31 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@jackthebear wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I purchased my first Aran Craft cardigan this past spring and now it’s a little loose. I’d like to try to shrink it a bit. I’ve read about how to do it, but admittedly am a little nervous about botching the whole thing.

Have you done this? Was it a success or fail?
what are you trying to do?
as a knitter i can offer some advice
wool will stretch as you wear it, from what you said you don't really want to shrink it but get it back to what it was like when new

so just wash in cold water with a wool wash like eucalan, and flat dry, as you lay it out shape it

shrinking is felting which is not what you want to do

@jackthebear thank you. I’ve lost weight so I’d like it a little smaller than when it was new. Would Woolite be ok? What about a little time in the dryer?

I don't use woolite, but a teeny bit would be OK , advantage of eucalan is that it doesn't need rinsing out.

u might try 1 minute in the dryer and see what you get but proceed with caution !!!

In my experience trying to shrink a garment never results in what you want and I wash everything