Wool sweater shrinkage

[Orvil Newton]

I've spent about twenty minutes searching the forum with no luck on this so I hope a new thread is not inappropriate.

I love wool sweaters and by happy circumstance they are cheap and easy to find around here in second hand stores. Even better, they are sometimes available for nothing at all.

A week or so ago someone left a really nice Scottish wool sweater in the laundry room which had obviously been sent through the washer and dryer. It fits me perfectly in the body but the arms are too short having been shrunk (No comment on the moron who ran it through the dryer)

My question is: is there any way to at least partially restore the length of the sleeves?

If not I'll have to give it to my wife.lol

 

[Peacoat]

Wet the sleeves and gently stretch them. Stretch all sections of the sleeve, don't just pull from shoulder to cuff. While the sweater is drying, stretch it whenever you think of it. Your wife will probably end up with the sweater.

 

[Anachronism]

depends on how short they are. You should "block" your sweater.

basically you get it wet, and then stretch it out to the length you want, then secure it (safety pins are good) and let it dry.

If you're still confused go to a local yarn shop (not a big chain like jo-ann fabrics or walmart) and ask them what you should do.

EDIT:
If you don't have a local yarn shop, ask an experienced knitter you know. just make sure they know about dealing with wool (some knitters only use acrylic 'cause it's cheap and vegan knitters don't use wool)

 

[Orvil Newton]

Thanks, I'll give it a try. Pity. It is a beautiful sweater; soft and warm. Obviously a very good quality wool.

 

[nightandthecity]

try ironing the arms (wool setting of course!) and stretching and pulling at the same time. This usually works, though the sweater will probably go back to the start point after the next wash and you'll have to do it again.

 

[H.Johnson]

Yes - woollen yarn actually retracts when it shrinks - under a microscope you can see a telescope-like action - but will 'remember' its original length and can usually be returned to it by stretching as described, but it will also 'remember' (engineers use the term 'memory' to decribe a property of materials) it's shrunken state and will return to it every time it is wet and dried.

You'll need to repeat the excercise. Basically, you're slave to your woollens, for life...