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bj1111

Veteran

How to i shrink a cashmere sweater without felting it?

I have a coocon sweater that is a touch too cocooning. I would like to tighten up the knit and shrink it.

11 years ago

Dressing

5 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

K. Period.

Veteran

I'll be interested in what Diana says, but in my experience shrinking and felting are part and parcel. The yarn shrinks as the scales on the hair fiber rub against each other, pulling on each other and locking together. That causes it to plump up, shorten up and lose definition between yarn strands and felt. Sometimes a bit of shrinking doesn't look too felted, but to me, the more you shrink, the more it felts.

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Honestly, it's really difficult and I wouldn't recommend it. For one thing, you can't really predict how much or in what direction it will shrink. Also, some fibers just won't shrink without felting.

It's a better bet to have it tailored, but make sure the tailor knows how to deal with knits.

It is possible to use blocking to reshape garments that have gotten stretched out with wear, but if it started out too big it will be hard to block it smaller.

11 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

i have a duplicate of the sweater. my sister bought us matching ones, then gave me hers because it was too long.

i'm willing to risk it if you can give me some pointers or instructions. cold water in a bag then lain flat? handwash then lain flat? use the dryer?

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Ok. You need to use warm or even hot water. I would start with hand washing, or hand wash cycle on a machine. Don't agitate much, just push it around a bit and let it soak a while. Then take it out and press it in a towel, no wringing. I roll it up in the towel and step on it to squeeze the water out. Lay it flat on dry towels and shape it, then let it dry. If that does nothing, you can try repeating that but put it in the dryer on a lowish (but not just air) heat. Check it every couple of minutes or so to avoid ending up with a baby sweater!

11 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

Thanks, Diana.

11 years ago

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