Calling any knitters or experts with wool products - desperately need help

[Wills]

Can you save something if its been through a too hot wash. I'm epecting in 2 and half weeks time but our washing machine broken. A close friend offered to washing the baby's bedding (having dragged it out of the loft etc). She washed the hand crocheted shawl that had been crocheted for me when I was a baby and that I had used for both my daughters in a hot wash. It now looks like string. I'm gutted. I'd seen it (and a couple of other items) as sort of heirlooms that I would hand on to my daughters (to do with as they pleased so long as they didn't tell me). I've been sobbing away as nothing will replace these items. Is there anything at all I could do to save them?

I dont think so, no. You could try fabric conditioner, but I fear the damage has been done with the heat. I say this because I have in error done this to a wool garment, it shrunk, the texture was spoiled, and nothing would restore it.

I have one of those 1001 handy household hints books and they tell you about things like this. I will look it out, but I fear its too late.

Thanks for looking though.

I'm pretty sure it's gone. The wool has been felted, which permanently changes it. Sorry.

Do you know any crocheters? You could maybe get a copy made, or a new piece?

Hmm, I've found a page which purports to offer a potential \link{http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=How%20to%20unfelt%20a%20felted%20sweater\fix}. Other pages say it's not possible. Worth a try?

Its worth a go. Many many many thanks