Reviving Unravelled Yarn

[Ange30]

I started a sweater years ago and ended up never finishing it because I ran out of yarn and its no longer made. I want to undo it all and make something else with it but the yarn will have dents all over it. Is there a way I can fluff it back up??? or is it doomed to be dented forever???

[Shandeh]

I started a sweater years ago and ended up never finishing it because I ran out of yarn and its no longer made. I want to undo it all and make something else with it but the yarn will have dents all over it. Is there a way I can fluff it back up??? or is it doomed to be dented forever???

The best way to make unravelled yarn look "normal" again is to wind it into a big hank on a yarn swift or on the back of a chair. Then, get it wet, and hang it to dry with a little weight added to help pull it into shape.

Hanging Recycled Yarn to Dry by Shandeh, on Flickr

Another option is to stretch out the wet yarn on a Niddy-Noddy. (Just be careful to not stretch it too tightly.) I made my niddy-noddy with some pvc piping. When the yarn dries out completely, just have someone hold out the yarn for you on their hands, so you can wind it into balls.

Purple Merino Wool Yarn - Setting Spin by Shandeh, on Flickr

By the way, when you get the yarn wet, why not go ahead and give it a wash with a gentle detergent? Be sure to rinse it well...keeping both the wash and rinse water the same temperature (cool).

[lialab]

I started a sweater years ago and ended up never finishing it because I ran out of yarn and its no longer made. I want to undo it all and make something else with it but the yarn will have dents all over it. Is there a way I can fluff it back up??? or is it doomed to be dented forever???

The best way to make unravelled yarn look "normal" again is to wind it into a big hank on a yarn swift or on the back of a chair. Then, get it wet, and hang it to dry with a little weight added to help pull it into shape.

Another option is to stretch out the wet yarn on a Niddy-Noddy. (Just be careful to not stretch it too tightly.) I made my niddy-noddy with some pvc piping. When the yarn dries out completely, just have someone hold out the yarn for you on their hands, so you can wind it into balls.

By the way, when you get the yarn wet, why not go ahead and give it a wash with a gentle detergent? Be sure to rinse it well...keeping both the wash and rinse water the same temperature (cool).

OMG do I have some unfinished business about to become stash Thanks for posting Shandeh now I know what to do!

[Ange30]

WOW thank you so much!!! I've been searching the net for so long with no luck...my new project for tomorrow while the kids are gone and the sun will shine bright gonna hang them outside to get that nice summer smell in them too Ooohh I can't wait lol
Now the question is, what should I make with all this yarn

[Shandeh]

OMG do I have some unfinished business about to become stash Thanks for posting Shandeh now I know what to do!

Glad I could help. I've used this technique for unravelling thrift shop sweaters too.

[Shandeh]

WOW thank you so much!!! I've been searching the net for so long with no luck...my new project for tomorrow while the kids are gone and the sun will shine bright gonna hang them outside to get that nice summer smell in them too Ooohh I can't wait lol. Now the question is, what should I make with all this yarn

Have fun, my friend!

[karenarp]

I had a cotton dishcloth I had started to knit years ago the first time I was attempting to learn to knit. Since it was only about 3/4 done I didn't think I could figure out where I was in the pattern so I unravelled it last month then soaked it in a sink of water for about 30 minutes then laid it on my dish rack to dry. When it was dry I wound it using my ball winder. It still is a tidge wavy but not kinky like it had been. I didn't use any weight when it dried, was afraid of stretching the cotton yarn. Good to know the weight would not have killed it.