How to unshrink wool

[BigBrother]

I’m seeing a lot of articles recommending the hair conditioner/water soak + stretch method. Has anyone here successfully unshrunk their wool garments? If so, how?

Thanks!

 

[GHT]

It depends on the garment. Knitted wool is quite easy to restore, https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/fashion/style/a38143/un-shrink-your-clothes/ woven wool, as in a suit for example, not so.

 

[belfastboy]

It depends on the garment. Knitted wool is quite easy to restore, https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/fashion/style/a38143/un-shrink-your-clothes/ woven wool, as in a suit for example, not so.

Yes, knitted wool garment if not shrunken too badly can be blocked back up in size. But yes tightly woven wool is pretty much a lost cause. If it is a structured garment in any manner you can imagine the difficulty in trying to stretch out and not get major distortions.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

I suspect the problem with stretching some wool is the scaly surface of wool fibers. The fibers can't slide over each other. They lock to each other. They dig into each other. Amongst other microscopic things happening, the fibers can't move freely as you're trying to pull the fabric.

 

[CatsCan]

This is pretty much what I think about it, too.
It depends...
Another factor is how the wool was blocked in the manufacturing of the garment.
Before tossing the garment, it is always worth to try to re-establish the former form. I have successfully restored a sweater, but this was of course knitwear and not woven. A shrunk woven fabric I would consider as felted. In this case - no chance without ripping the fibers and destroying the garments integrity.

Cats

 

[belfastboy]

This is pretty much what I think about it, too.
It depends...
Another factor is how the wool was blocked in the manufacturing of the garment.
Before tossing the garment, it is always worth to try to re-establish the former form. I have successfully restored a sweater, but this was of course knitwear and not woven. A shrunk woven fabric I would consider as felted. In this case - no chance without ripping the fibers and destroying the garments integrity.

Cats

Perhaps a bit coarse but I liken it to: How to un.... a pregnant woman.