Knitting Needles etc.

I crocheted a slouchy beret (tam I believe?) with worsted weight yarn, but it seems too stiff (simply because of the yarn, I made sure to crochet pretty loosely). Is this all right for this style? Or does anyone know how I could soften the hat up?

you mean less stiff, right? or actually softer? to soften it, soak it in water and conditioner for a little while. if it’s acrylic, you’re sort of out of luck there.

to make it more slouchy, i always dampen it and stretch it across a plate overnight (or until dry). it works like a charm.

3 Responses

1. looseleaves123 Says:
   July 30th, 2009 at 5:20 pm

   you mean less stiff, right? or actually softer? to soften it, soak it in water and conditioner for a little while. if it’s acrylic, you’re sort of out of luck there.

   to make it more slouchy, i always dampen it and stretch it across a plate overnight (or until dry). it works like a charm.
   References :
   i’ve knitted at least ten of these.

2. knittinmama Says:
   July 30th, 2009 at 5:49 pm

   Sometimes it is the yarn, not the weight of the yarn that makes it too stiff. I find that Red Heart is much stiffer than the same weight in Caron or Lion Brand yarn of the same fiber content.
   References :

3. hairbender Says:
   July 30th, 2009 at 6:25 pm

   If it was made with some synthetic, it is going to be stiff (they are made of plastic, you know). There is not much you can do about that. If it was wool, you can soften it up nicely.

   It could be the size of your hook. Too small a hook, even though you tried to crochet loosely, will make a stiff fabric. To get a looser fabric, you have to use a larger hook… that’s just how it is.

   You can try to stretch it out when it is wet (if it was wool but acrylics are pretty much useless here) and let it dry that way. It will become larger, but I’m not so sure about softer. Sometimes the yarn is just stiff and that’s all there is to it. Try a better quality yarn, and not a synthetic.
   References :

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