How can I deliberately shrink a jumper?

dandy-candy

I've knitter myself a jumper and now its finished its much too big, about 2 dress sizes too big.
I really really can't be bothered to start it over again so rather than leave it in the drawer for all eternity I want to try shrinking it. I know if I do it on a normal cotton wash it will shrink but it will also felt up and be stiff which I don't want. My machine can do delicate washes up to 60 - is this too high? Should I try 50 first? I've already done a 40 wash and it made no difference. The wool is actually a wool/acrylic blend btw.
Also do you think it will shrink uniformly?

whitewing

Give it to my mum, she can shrink anything. But it won't be wearable!

Mojisola

I don't think you can shrink it without spoiling it. Give it to a bigger friend or a charity shop.

whitewing

Here is a link that may help http://www.alterationsneeded.com/2012/01/shrinking-the-j-crew-honeycomb-sweater.html

HPoirot

Well I'm a size 6 so regularly need to shrink woollen jumpers, all I do is put them in a cotton wash. I think it's a high spin cycle that felts up woolly clothes, I take to them with a bobble shaver afterwards if need be.

Molly41

Let my husband do your washing of the jumper - shrinkage guaranteed
:eek::eek::eek:

Mojisola

whitewing wrote: »

Here is a link that may help http://www.alterationsneeded.com/2012/01/shrinking-the-j-crew-honeycomb-sweater.html

That sweater was a 'dry-clean only' one - it shrank after washing in cold water. That won't work for wool that designed to be washed.

Artytarty

I don't know what style your jumper is but could you alter the design to include a ribbon woven through it? Either up each side and then tightened to give a ruched effect or sound the middle or hip area.?
Or try sewing it like this....?
http://www.notebookinhand.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10762

Here's another way, you'd need pretty good skills.
http://blog.knittingatlarge.com/2011/01/sweater-surgery.html

dandy-candy

The jumper is plain at the front with moss stitch sides which are open and laced together, so I can't narrow it down the side
I've just washed it on a 60 delicate wash which has the same spin speed as a wool wash and it has made no difference to the size that I can see, but I'm drying it on the radiator to see if that will shrink it at all (I don't have a tumble dryer)
Other than that I will have to put it through a cotton wash and let it felt up. I accidently did this with a cardi the other day which went from slightly big to much too tight, so hopefully that will equate to just right with this jumper!