28/10/2026
🧶 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 🧶
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀? 📏
Have you ever finished a perfectly fitting jumper, only to discover it's mysteriously grown a few inches after washing or wearing it?! 😱
Well, you're not alone!
Different fibres behave differently, and some are much more prone to stretching and growing than others.
🐑 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗹 – Has natural elasticity and memory, meaning it tends to spring back into shape. But not all wool behaves the same!
🦙 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗮 – Beautifully soft and drapey, but with less elasticity than sheep's wool. Heavier garments can gradually stretch under their own weight.
🌿 𝗖𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗻 – Has very little natural bounce and can become particularly heavy when wet, making it prone to stretching if not handled carefully.
🫧 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗹 – The treatment that makes wool easier to wash can also change how the fibres behave. Some superwash yarns relax and grow considerably after washing!
And it's not just the fibre content. The weight of the garment, stitch pattern, knitting tension and yarn construction can all make a difference.
💡 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺:
This is another reason why we always recommend washing and blocking your gauge swatch BEFORE starting your project! It gives you a chance to see how your yarn behaves and whether your beautifully fitted jumper might have other ideas. 😂
And remember to support your wet garments when lifting them, gently reshape them and dry them flat to avoid unnecessary stretching.
Have you ever had a knitting project grow more than you expected? We'd love to hear your stories! 🧶💛
