unshrinking a knitted woollen blanket

[Boo Boo]

I just did a search on the internet, "how to unshrink woolen items", there were a number of sites that came up, one of them was:

1. Place the wool item in a sink full of warm water.
2. Soak for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the item and squeeze out excess water.
4. Let dry on a towel.
5. Carefully stretch and pull the item back to its original shape. Voila!

Good luck!

Laurin

[Epacris]

These instructions are from Shannon Lush's books. I have followed them but only had OK results, it didn't really work that well for me. I don't think this works for wool that's been felted (when all the fibres go really, really tight). Unfortunately it sounds like that is what has happened to your blanket. It might be worth a go though.

- This method works for anything woolen (jumpers etc).
- You need to get a product called Fuller's Earth. I had to order some in from my local chemist (they were very nice and efficient about it). It is expensive, I paid $20 for 100g but I only used a teaspoon (for one wool nappy cover).
- Fuller's Earth is a high calcium clay that acts as a wool fibre relaxant.
- The most important part of this method is the stretching step at the end.

Instructions:
- Fill a sink or bucket with lukewarm water.
- Add a heaped teaspoon of Fuller's Earth for a small item, 2 or more tablespoons for a largeish jumper.
- Put the item in and gently agitate it with your hands until it's thoroughly wet.
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Don't leave it for longer or the Fuller's Earth will start to act as a bleach.
- Rinse it thoroughly in lukewarm water.
- Gently squeeze as much water out as you can (I rolled my cover up in a towel and stood on it to get the water out).
- Place the item flat on a towel in the shade.
- Gently stretch it back into shape as it dries.

I hope it works for you! Goodluck