Stretching a merino sweater - YouLookFab Forum

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Stretching a merino sweater

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have a merino sweater from a decade ago that I love. The color is unique and a good one for me (a purplish blue). It has removable leather collar and cuffs for a little added style. The problem is that I was a good 1-2 sizes smaller then. The sweater is wearable now but a bit too snug and form-fitting for my current taste. I’ve been keeping it through countless holding zone edits (I’m doing one of those edits right now and have mostly been brutal in getting rid of too-small items).

Has anyone here ever successfully stretched and reblocked a merino sweater? I’m wondering if it’s worth a try. Back when I wore this, I think I only dry cleaned it once or maybe twice.

I welcome any advice!

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15 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Ginger

Veteran

It is worth a try. I wash some of my wool garments (using Eucalan, cold water, extremely delicate cycle, no rinse just spin) and usually re-stretch out the arms when I lay them out to dry.

I recently got a two-piece vintage wool set - collared cardigan and skirt - in a super pretty lavender. It's also quite small, and based on my experience with similar pieces I suspect it was washed with agitation and possibly dried, so the wool is somewhat felted and shrunk. I have heard it is possible to thoroughly wet it and use conditioner to get back at least some of the size. I'm going to try it when I get a chance. Nothing to lose!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'd try Ginger's method -- why not? It may or may not work, but if it works, you have a "new" sweater. And if it doesn't, out it goes.

JAileen

Veteran

I would lay it down and pin it to measurements you like, as from a sweater you like the fit of. And then I would spray it with water. Make sure both sides are wet, but not soaked. I use rubber mats for blocking, but you can use a towel. Be sure to use lots of pins so the outline is smooth.

ETA: don’t use pins that rust!

Helena

Veteran

I've had limited success with the conditioner method ... Certainly did my sweaters no harm, so it's worth a try I'd say!

LJP

Veteran

Given that the trend ( and don’t all come at me for using that word)- is for oversize or much roomier knitwear anyways , I’d pass it along if it’s at all snug and you haven’t worn it lately . I know it’s a classic fitted piece to be worn under a blazer etc - would it fill some hole you’ve identified ?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions!

I suspect Lisa has the right idea. I don’t think I’d be able to stretch it enough to get ease out of it.

However, I am thinking that perhaps I can find a new sweater in a color I love (I’m craving some emerald lately) with an easier fit and a crew neck.
Then I could remove the collar, cuffs and the buttons used to attach them to the old sweater, and try using the leather accents — the thing that actually makes the sweater unique! — on the new sweater.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I wouldn't think it would stretch enough to give you the sort of fit you are after. Great idea about salvaging the leather bits!

Irina

Veteran

I have done it but a knit gets a slightly stretched look. Could be pressed with an iron once dry, though.
Pour almost hot water into a bucket, add a couple of tea spoons of any hair conditioner, making sure it’s completely dissolved. This need to be done to make a knit pliable. Soak the sweater for about 10 minutes. Take it out while it’s warm! Roll it into a towel but only for a couple of minutes. Make sure it’s still warm. Put it flat and stretch .
Couple of things to keep in mind: stretching it width wise will make it shorter. Keep sleeves out of the bucket so they don’t shrink in warm water.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

How do the leather bits attach?

Star

Veteran

I have tried the conditioner method without success. I like your idea of keeping the collar and cuffs for a new sweater. I have a similar problem with a wool turtleneck that I shrunk in the wash and I have gone up a size. Also unsure what to do with it.

Staysfit

Veteran

I would give it a good soak in Eucalan, which, like Ginger, is what I use. Roll it in a towel to remove moisture and then use T pins to pin it to size. You can pin it to an old yoga mat or some flat packing styrofoam (I save it and reuse for this purpose). Even better are the rigid puzzle piece type gym mats.

With luck it will work.

Another option is to steam block it by laying a damp cloth over the top and iron it. It seems to have a very similar effect to a complete soak and it will give you a quick sense about how much ease you can get from the fiber, you can pin it to size while it dries. I typically choose steam blocking when the fiber has silk or mohair since it’s a gentler process but I can see it’s utility here.

RobinF

Veteran

It couldn't hurt to try the wet blocking method. But then if it doesn't work pulling off the leather parts and reusing them is a great idea!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Jessikams, the leather pieces attach with small buttons that are sewn inside the sweater — they would be easy enough to cut out and sew into another piece if one gets the placement right. I could even try it with a sweater I already own — I don’t have many crew neck sweaters because Vs tend to look better on me. I think it could work with this one!

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lyn67

Veteran

I've succesfully stretched out (especially for more length) some thin knits (but not specifically merino) by ironing hot to new measurements several times on a wet cotton gauze cloth.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I block knitwear with a steam iron sometimes if it's shrunk a bit at the cleaners. It's very effective! But it does not go up a size or two.

I vote pass on the top, and salvage the leather bits to repurpose!