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Resizing sweaters

Diane_Morgan | Posted in Knitting and Crochet on

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Someone in my family, who shall remain nameless, machine washed two wool sweaters. I used to have an article by Sandra Betzina about a treatment that would “unshrink” sweaters. It involved vinegar and reblocking. Does anyone know about this method or any other that might work? They are machine knit lightweight merino sweaters.

Replies

  1. Jean_ | | #1

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    Diane, I typed in
    i unshrink sweaters
    at http://www.google.com
    and came up with several hits. Here is the first one on the list...I've never tried it, but I doubt if you could make the situation worse. :(

    UNSHRINK WOOL SWEATERS
    1 gal. lukewarm water
    1 cup ammonia
    1 cup baking soda
    1 cup vinegar
    Mix these ingredients together and soak the sweater, pull it into shape and leave it in the mixture for 3 - 4 days. Rinse. Wash with ammonia. Rinse again. (From a Pinellas Weavers' Guild Newsletter. I haven't tried this, but considering the source, I feel it's safe.)

    1. Diane_Morgan | | #2

      *Jean, thank you for your help. Before I could try the method you found, I managed to locate the Sandra Betzina instructions. Since they were easier, I gave them a try and they were very successful. There doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in this topic, but just in case you ever have the problem of a shrunken sweater, this will fix it. Fill a large pot 3/4 full of water and 16 oz of white vinegar, bring to a boil. Wet the sweater thoroughly under the tap and add to the pot. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Pour the sweater and water into the sink, drain, cover with cold water. Rinse, block on a towel and dry flat. It sounds like it would make the problem worse, but it relaxes the fibers and my sweater was back to its original size.

      1. Jean_ | | #3

        *That's great Diane, thanks for the follow up. I've saved the instructions in my files just in case.

        1. Joan_Cunningham | | #4

          *In an early Threads magazine you had an article on knitting a sweater in the round from scrap yarns. I loaned my magazine to someone who did not return it. Can you send me a reprint or tell me what issue it is in so I can buy the out of print magazine. Hopefully it is still available. Thank you, Joan C

          1. karen_morris_ | | #5

            *Gosh, Joan, I have no idea which article you want. We had LOTS of articles on knitting in the round....can you give me more details? Author? Color? Patterning? Year? Then hopefully I can find it.

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