My crocheted cardi has stretched after washing

[AuntyLil]

Hi all, hoping for some advice. I crocheted a cardi in Stylecraft special aran with wool. I washed and blocked it and it fit really well. I've washed it in the same way after wearing it and dried it flat again but it's really stretched. Does anyone know why that's happened? Not sure if it's a washing issue or a yarn one. Thank you

That's unusual for Stylecraft Life, I've used and washed it a lot for blankets and it's held up well.

What stitch did you use and what temp did you wash at?

Can you add a photo?

Hi, the pattern was just uk trebles. I handwashed in cool water with delicate laundry liquid.The stitches don't look stretched out but the cardi is a good 3 inches longer than it was (the sleeves have stretched too).

My mum used to have a trick for stuff like this.

Basically you treat it with a steam iron. I think a steamer would work too.

So you put the garment on a flat surface with a cloth underneath. It’ll go a lot quicker if you use something like a table rather than an ironing board so the garment can all lay flat at once.

Hole the iron just above the garment. The iron mustn’t touch the garment. No touching, no pressure.

And you press the steam button so the steam goes into the garment (still not touching). If it’s going to work you should see the fibres spring back as it cools.

You need to let the garment cool totally before you flip it and do the other side. As whilst it’s still warm the fibres can stretch out again.

I think it's the weight stretching the stitches. It's just something you have to allow for when making.

Steam won't help as it's largely acrylic.

Thank you both. I'll give the steam a try but I definitely need to allow for the stretch next time. Am currently making a vest in 100% wool and hoping I won't have the same problem

Steam will make it worse!

How did you dry it? I roll up my handknits in a big towel to squeeze out nearly all the water, then dry them across a couple of bars of the airer so the whole wet weight isn't dragging them down.
Stretching is a bit of a risk with handmade work especially if you worked to a measurement pre-washing. I once knitted a waistcoat that grew about 8 inches in length after washing.

I rolled in a towel and then laid flat to dry - I did the same when I blocked it so I've no idea what happened! I guess it's an excuse to buy more yarn to make another!

Most of the stretching probably happened through wearing it. A side to side design with a denser stitch (UK dc or htr) would stretch less).

Not sure how to regain the shape but my gran taught me a good tip for washing handmade crochet/knitting. Fold it up and put it inside a pillowcase, knot the pillowcase or use a hair bobble to stop it escaping. It can't stretch out of shape in the washer drum.