shrinking a sweater

[AC7]

I have a really nice sweater I picked up cheap, the only problem is it's too big (it says 2XL and I wear a L). What's the best way to shrink it? Just wash and dry it, or wash and hang up on a clothesline (in the blistering Miami sun)?

 

[binge]

Good luck in your endeavor, but be prepared to junk the sweater. I doubt you can successfully shrink it from a 2XL down to an L.

Hanging it in the sun is a bad idea as hanging a wet sweater will deform it.

You could try the tried-and-true method of sweater washing, but using warm or hot water and hoping that it shrinks. But I doubt it will go from 2XL down to 1XL let alone L using that method.

Another tactic is to use a laundry bag -- like they sell for washing/drying women's underwear -- put in that, toss in the dryer and hope for the best.

 

[kuel]

I was really lucky when shrinking an APC merino wool sweater.

It was a size 3 (L), and waaaaay too big across the chest

Dunked it in a bucket of warm/hot water for a few mins, then hung it out to dry on a wooden hanger. The chest width shrank perfectly (about 3"), and the arms/length actually increased a few inches

 

[yachtie]

Soak in very hot water, spin dry, put in dryer. Be careful though it may go too far.


But it has worked well for me in the past.

 

[AC7]

Thanks for the advice all. It's big on me but not THAT big, I could almost go outside with it on and not get weird looks, so I think this company's stuff runs small.

I will give soaking it in hot water a shot.