If you plan to machine-dry wool, and you don't want it to shrink, set it to a no-heat setting. Don’t twist or bunch the sweater when you swirl, as this will damage its material. Shrinking a Sweater in a Washer and Dryer, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-1.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> \u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Add the Shrunken Sweater Add the sweater and gently swish it through the water and shampoo or fabric softener solution to be sure that all fibers are thoroughly wet. Synthetic fibers are probably the hardest to shrink. I've seen some absolutely huge wool sweaters shrink down to infant-sized with a single hot water wash. Cotton is fairly easy to shrink down about 20% as well. It'll get a lot smaller too. This article has been viewed 28,809 times. Stretch the garment out to its original dimensions. Observe if it feels too tight or is still a little loose where you want it to be form-fitting. Shrinking obviously isn't as easy with wool as it is with cotton, but it can be done. Continue to repeat this process until you are happy with the size of your sweater. (A note for seamless sweaters: sticky wool can really help with maintaining shape and fit.) Add the sweater and let it soak for 10 minutes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It (can be) inexpensive to buy. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of fair wages, employee benefits, and green cleaning practices. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can also wash the sweater in hot water, but the cycle should be much shorter than a full cycle. It slumps on the body. First, a little bit about wool and the superwash process. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of fair wages, employee benefits, and green cleaning practices. I second that. Susan Stocker. Put enough warm water in a sink or bathtub to allow you to completely submerge the sweater. In the former technique, machine drying will eventually flake off the coating until the now-shrinkable wool remains. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Last Updated: October 15, 2020 The closer fit actually loses some efficiency of insulation. Thread starter #4 M. MrRogers Super Member. Wool is probably the easiest. In spring, I found a great wool/cashmere sweater-vest for just a couple of bucks on eBay, and once it arrived, I found that it fit me like a floppy medium. 8 November 2019. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-1.jpg\/aid10839607-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":" \u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Superwash wool is usually created in one of two ways: either by coating the fiber with some kind of polymer or stripping the scales on the fiber. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. When you dry your sweater, put it in the dryer on low heat for 25 minutes. This technique works best on sweaters that are 100% wool. Remember, this will only work if the sweater is made from wool and has not felted. Both these methods will shrink the wool about 1 clothing size each time that you complete the shrinking process. I've seen some XL wool garments go down to toddler size with a hot wash or two. Those scales are the main factor behind felting -- as the scales are rubbed together, they interlock with one another. Just be sure to avoid wringing it out, as this can ruin the fabric. Fill the washtub with cool or cold water, high enough to completely cover the wool garment. Allow the item to lie flat for a few minutes, then repeat the stretching one or two more times before it dries completely. Agitate the water and the soap to create suds. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 28,809 times. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. There are special soaps made specifically for washing woolens if you prefer to use those. You may find that washing and scrunching works best for stretched out sweaters, and tailoring is a better option for garments that are too large. How to dry wool “The dryer will shrink your knits, so always air-dry,” says Boyd. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Synthetic fabrics tend to be the hardest to shrink. There are two ways most commonly used to make a superwash yarn. A mix of wool and polyester tends to be less itchy than 100% wool and will make the garment more durable so it will wash better and last longer. Soak the Sweater in a Solution. To make an accurate seam allowance, use the seam guide on your sewing machine. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Shark Ultracyclone Accessories,
7-piece Modular Wicker Sectional,
Pinnacle Rainbow Sherbet Vodka Recipes,
Vegenaise Nutritional Information,
Animated Flowchart Maker,
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-2.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-3.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-4.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-5.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-6.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-7.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-8.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-9.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-10.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-11.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-12.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-13.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-14.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c4\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-15.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-16.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-17.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-18.jpg\/aid10262639-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Sweater-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This will make it easier to remember where to put the pins. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Thank you! Put a towel down to soak up excess water from the sweater. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4a\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-2.jpg\/aid10839607-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-8.jpg\/aid10839607-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-5.jpg\/aid10839607-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Jerrod at Oxford Cloth Button Down, however, has an inspiring post showing how you can shrink a sweater two or three sizes down. I emailed him to get details: First, you have to be OK with losing the sweater. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. How to do it: Put water in a large pot where your sweater will easily fit and bring it to boil. Most superwash wools still recommend to wash in cold water and dry flat or tumble dry on low. Avoid putting the sweater straight into a hot wash, as this can cause it to shrink significantly and may make it too small. Wool is a wonderful fiber, and can do things that other fibers can't: Wool is warm and stays warm even when wet. The first step in the unshrinking process is to soak the wool sweater … It is resilient and doesn't break. Then lay the garment out on some towels in a cool place. You can put the sweater in a pillowcase to prevent the fibers from snagging in the machine. If you have a wool sweater that's too big — like a hand-me-down, charity shop find, or weight loss leftover — you can try to shrink it with these tips from weblog Put This On. Generally, wool that has been felted or fulled can shrink by as much as 30%, which is a lot. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. To shrink the sweater dramatically, wash on medium heat and dry on medium heat. If you want the wool to dry completely, with only minor shrinkage, set your dryer to low-heat. Shrinking a Wool Sweater To lightly shrink a wool sweater, start the process with a clothing iron. Time it for 10 minutes and check on it every few minutes. It's renewable. Use chalk to draw a line on the sweater where you will be making the seams. Felting occurs when the scales of untreated wool bind together as a result of agitation and heat, shrinking the finished object considerably and obscuring stitch definition. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-9.jpg\/aid10839607-v4-728px-Shrink-a-Wool-Sweater-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"