I have 3 asbell wool pullovers that are 2x and they were a little roomy when I was bigger. We'll I've lost 40 pounds and now they are pretty big and baggy more than I like so I was wandering if I could wash them and shrink them down or is that a bad idea? Thanks
I guess that depends upon the wool, how much it was pre shrunk and a few other things. Might work well for you. Might work well for you kid !
ChuckC
I once shrank an expensive wool sweater from a man large to an toddler 3.
I wouldn't do it.
I'm sorry jerry jeffer but that's kinda funny! I guess I won't be trying it then! Thanks!
You got three try one? :dunno:
QuoteOriginally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
I once shrank an expensive wool sweater from a man large to an toddler 3.
Yup, had an expensive sleeveless V-neck Alpaca sweater that my wife threw in the washer and dryer by mistake. Came out like a sports bra! In my experience trying to shrink wool I've learned two things. #1 it'll shrink #2 never the way you want it to.
Like MR BILL said...you've got 3. I'd try it on one of em.
I shrank a sweater just right one time by throwing it in the washer and then putting it in the dryer for just a few mins. I let it air dry completely after that and went from an XL to a medium...just what I was after.
I'd try washing in warm water first then air dry and see what it happens. If it doesn't shrink then wash it again and try the dryer for a few mins. Repeat as necessary with a longer dry time until you get it where it needs to be.
Just my two cents. If it works it'd be a lot cheaper than buying new wool. If it doesn't, you aren't gonna wear it like it is so you aren't really out anything.
If you wash wool, it isn't going to shrink anymore than you want it to, IF you have some kind of form to put it on when it's wet to stop it from shrinking anymore than the size of the form as it dries. I'm thinking about a manikin or something like that. Of course, by the time you get a manikin of the right size, it could be more trouble than it's worth.
Probably easier to just put the 40 pounds back on..... :D Seriously though... Congrats on loosing the weight... :thumbsup:
Raghorn3 it would be easier and a lot funner probably! I guess I'll probably try and call Teresa asbell tomorrow and ask her what she thinks.
Ditto, call Teresa and ask her.
If you wash Wool in warm or hot water it will shrink and there is nothing you can do to stop it or control it. What JJ said is true. My wife knitts with wool.
You can probably have them altered for a reasonable price. I am having that done with a 2xl Woolrich Shirt-Jac right now.
Good Shooting,
Craig
I shrunk one of my asbell pullovers from too big to too small with a very careful cold water wash.
I had a Norwegian sweater that was a little baggy. I made it wet, tossed it in the drier, took it out and it fit my son perfectly. He was 7 at the time, he wore it for his winter coat. It was probably the warmest winter coat that he ever had. I shrunk one of those 80/20 wool xl shirts down when he was 12, again a perfect fit for him.
How about washing it and the wear it til it's dry?
I washed a pair of wool LL Bean bibs in hot water and ran them through the clothes dryer on hot one time. They shrank quite a bit; but, the material got very thick and soft. Worst part was that the house smelled like wet dog for a loooong time.
Take to a tailor and get them altered probably $20 for all three.
I have done some controlled shrinking with KOM wool. The wash cycle was never a problem but leave them in the dryer 5 minutes too long and you'll have incentive to lose more weight.
Sleeve length will be the biggest challenge. With the KOM stuff I would stretch the sleeves every time I'd take it out of the dryer and then 5 or 10 min later do it again.
Controlled shrinks are kinda like controlled burns. Sometimes you get the results you want. Sometimes they get away from you.
I was in your same position a couple of years ago with my Asbell wool... XL pullover, Lost weight,needed a medium. Called Teresa and she took mine back for discounted resale for a reasonable "fee" as mine was in great condition. She made me new medium and it fits perfect and is awesome! I don't recommend the shrink-to-fit, but that's a personal opinion. I'd work with Teresa, sell them or trade them, and get back in the game with some new Asbell in the right size!!! Celebrate the accomplishment, you'll feel good doing it. Well done!!!
Shrinking wool also known as "felting" has been done for hundreds and hundreds of years on purpose. The garment gets smaller but also thicker and the weave will tighten up making it warmer and more wind proof. Have you heard of Norwegian boiled mittens? That's felting to the max and they're pretty warm. I make felted mittens out of old sweaters a lot but I felt them then cut out the mitten patterns and sew them together.
If give it a try if I was you, wash on gentle using cold water. Then toss in the dryer on low heat, I use high heat and throw in a tennis shoe when I want to really felt something. At low heat you'll have more time to catch it before it shrinks too much. Watch it really closely though because it happens fast.
I have a wool pullover that has sleeves that are too long and bulky. Been thinking about trying to shrink just the sleeves. Does that sound possible? I've been in worse trouble than what the outcome might be :) so I'm thinking about going for it.
If you do a sweater lightly soak just the above the cuffs to shrink the whole arm. I have shrunk the arms on sweaters in the drier when they got baggy. The moisture will get to more than the sleeve, so now I wet just the part of the forearm to the cuff.
Interesting read... If anyone else has wool shrinking tips or stories - keep sharing. :readit:
Mountain Lion - congrats on the weight loss!!
:archer:
My sincere advise is to go see a seamstress. Sometimes you get lucky with the home shrinkage methods, usually you don't. Not worth it, in my opinion. Congrats on the weight loss!
Depending on size and condition put them up for sale and start over with new gear. Asbell wool sells quick in the classifieds, especially when priced to sell. As for shrinking contact Teresa for expert advice. :campfire:
As been suggested, go to a tailor and have them fitted to your new frame. They are way too nice to take a chance on.
I wash my wool army blankets when they get dirty and then toss them into the dryer. I didn't see much loss in size and it felted them.
I did exactly what you are thinking with one of Teresa's pullovers. Had bought an xxl thinking I could layer better under it but decided that I prefer XL. I put it in the washer and then line dried it after, checking every so often and hand stretching as needed. Absolutely do NOT put it in the drier!
Maybe I got lucky, but it worked very well for me, and that piece of wool did seem to end up with a tighter weave and was even warmer as a result.
That being said, as has been mentioned, Asbell wool does sell very well in the classifieds, so the safer and easier method is to sell yours and order a new one in the proper size.
I have mistakenly washed two garments, a wool sweater and a shirt. It's hard to say with any certainty, but they both shrunk about two sizes. Pretty risky to expect predictable results. You could probably wash your garments and just monitor the drying process until it's where you want it.
Best advice is to call Teresa.
I buy all of my wool a larger size so that I can shrink them. I personally find that felting wool makes it tighter and warmer. I usually start with a cold water wash and put the wool on for size. If I need more shrinkage, I wash in warmer water and try on the wool. I have a large chest and wide shoulders along with long arms. I have a 49" chest, 17.5" neck and 35.5" sleeve but a 34" pants size and a 5'8" frame. Most wool size large is too tight around the shoulders and neck. Most size XL is too long in the sleeves and too large in the belly. My controlling the shrinkage I can get a better fit with the added benefit from the felting process. I do not put anything wool in the dryer as the wool will shrink too much and beyond control.
I have had wool shrink before, and it did not shrink evenly. I would recommend having it altered.
Felting wool is not an exact process. Moderate control is all you can expect. Either have someone who makes garments alter it or sell it and get stuff that fits. Attempts at shrinking will most likely result in good felted material for mittens and slippers.Seriously! Ex wife was a professional and could sew ANYTHING and did from custom wedding dresses to wool felted slippers and everything in between.
I too shrank an expensive,well made Irish sweater...My friend made my wife and I two very cool hats ..Warmest hat I own...
Shrank a wool shirt one time by mistake. An educated guess would be about two sizes.
Shrinkage is not predictable, though, so your best bet might be to sell that garment and just buy one that fits to begin with.
I've shrunk a couple of Teresa's XL pullovers. Gave one to my buddy, he made out on that deal. The other went down to a large that I sometimes wear for work when it's cold. I thought about that too. About ordering an XXL and washing it with a hang dry to felt it up a bit and take it down to an XL.
Sell them in the TG classifieds and go buy new ones.
QuoteOriginally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
I once shrank an expensive wool sweater from a man large to an toddler 3.
Oh my! I bet that was a bad day
...I wish some of you folks would gain weight and sell your stuff on the classifieds so I could wear it! Why is it only extra extra-large sizes LOL
What size you wear Michael?
Flirting With disaster....
don't go there!!!!