If you've ever accidentally shrunk your favorite sweater in the dryer, you probably figured that the garment was a lost cause. Fortunately, the sweater needn't stay in its shrunken state forever if you stretch it back out to its original shape. Stretching your sweater is similar to blocking, a technique that clothing designers use to shape and resize their garments. This process works best on sweaters made from natural fibers, such as wool, cashmere or cotton.
Step 1
Fill a clean sink with cool water. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of mild hair conditioner or baby shampoo.
Step 2
Submerge the sweater in the water and allow it to soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 3
Remove the sweater from the water and press it against the side of the sink to extract excess water. Don't wring the sweater; this can damage it.
Step 4
Lay the sweater flat on a thick bath towel. Press down on the sweater with another towel. Dry the garment with the towel until it's damp but not soaking wet.
Step 5
Lay another sweater or long-sleeve shirt flat on a large piece of parchment paper. Trace the outline of the shirt on the paper with a pencil.
Step 6
Lay the shrunken sweater on the paper over the outline you drew.
Step 7
Pull on the sweater's arms, neck, sides and bottom to stretch it out. Stop stretching when the sweater's shape matches the pencil outline.
Step 8
Place heavy objects glass dishes on the arms and around the edges of the sweater. The objects will keep the sweater stretched as it dries.
Step 9
Allow the sweater to dry completely before wearing or storing.