How to properly steam a knitted product.

Is it worth ironing a knitted fabric during work? We asked the author of many master classes (some published on our website) Anna Dranovskaya to expand on this exciting issue.

- Hello, dear needlewomen! Many novice knitters ask themselves the question: do I need to iron? Today I have to act in an unusual role, I will try to answer the question asked, I will share with you almost 20 experiences, I will give a good example.

When people ask me if I'm petting, I get an unequivocal "yes" from my lips. I did not immediately come to the conclusion that the product must be steamed during knitting. As a child, she knitted for dolls, and the first serious product was a sweater, which she knitted without steaming. Having tied it, it seemed wrinkled to me and I decided to smooth it out. Then she was horrified and in complete despair from the stupidly done work, the state was "at least cry." That was my first sad experience.

I am often asked the question: why can't you accurately calculate the loops and knit the thing in size?
The first reason, which I call with my eyes closed, is that the product was knitted without smoothing. The second is the unwillingness to constantly check the size and the third is the calculation errors.

Communicating with lovers of knitting and other craftswomen, sometimes I hear the phrase “I like unsmoothed”. After that, remembering the well-known phrase about bay fish, I want to paraphrase and answer: you simply don’t know how to do it.

I want to show you a good example on a small fragment.

Under No. 1 in front of you is a sample without steaming. Look at his "pozhmakanny" and untidy look.

Sample #1. No steam treatment.

Do you like it? I don't. In my opinion, wearing a shapeless knitted thing is a disgrace to your work.

But oddly enough, many people wear just such clothes. Not knowing what it should actually look like, fashionistas proudly show it off. And after washing, when she took on immense dimensions, they are disappointed in knitted things.

Under No. 2, an ironed sample is presented. In appearance, it is neat, the surface is smooth, in a word, it is pleasant to look at.

Sample #2. Smoothed through wet gauze.

Pay attention to the difference in size, for this I specially placed a centimeter next to the fragment. Draw conclusions: how much the finished product will stretch if you do not process the fabric during the calculation and knitting.

Now decide what you like best.

Why do you need to steam a knitted item?

To make an accurate calculation of the loops. Having calculated, you pick up loops on the knitting needles or start crocheting, after knitting a few centimeters, you should smooth it out. Measure whether your calculation matches, if so, then continue to work further. If not, then decide what needs to be done, add or decrease the number of loops, and, without regret, dissolve. After knitting another 15–20 cm, iron again and make a control measurement, edit further work. And so repeat to the bitter end.

There is one more nuance - the product in a horizontal position has a length different from the thing that hangs (on a mannequin or on you).

How to tie so that the desired length is obtained?

Measure the length of the knitted fabric in a hanging position. Yes, it's hard, but the end result is worth it. When knitting a straight silhouette of a dress, its length may be unprincipled, but when knitting the head of the sleeve, it is important to observe its height, otherwise there will be a “cap” in the sleeve. In a fitted silhouette, the measurement of Dpt and Dst is important. When measuring in a horizontal position, you will get one figure, but by hanging or putting it on, the figure will change up. This will lead to the fact that the waist will not be in place, but somewhere lower.

Steaming the fabric during knitting, you see and understand how the yarn behaves. It will either shrink or stretch. This prevents it from deforming after washing. Under the steam, it will take the state that would occur if you washed it.

In most cases, the yarn stretches, but there are exceptions when it shrinks. It all depends on its composition. I repeat, you can find out how a knitted product behaves by smoothing it out during knitting.

Following my advice, I guarantee that you will knit the fabric exactly according to the pattern. If you have any questions feel free to ask, I will try to help.

Often, knitted items after washing and drying cause the owner to ask how dry and clean it is now. In this case, it should simply be steamed, it is quite easy to do even for a person, rarely standing at the ironing board.

If you wash the finished product, then the loops will lie flat, this is necessary when the canvas has an untidy appearance. This is very often observed among beginners, the hand is not trained and the loops come out of different sizes.

Also, after steaming, the knitted fabric becomes elastic and after that it is easier to sew. In knitting ateliers they always said: " After steaming, the product acquires a presentation «.

You will need:

• Piece of gauze fabric

Attention! Before steaming a knitted item, be sure to test the steaming process on a knitted sample. Instruction.

1. To steam at home with an iron of the previous generation, that is, which does not have any other modes, except for the direct ironing mode (such irons are still preserved), set the iron’s heating sensor to the maximum temperature.

2. Carefully lay out the knitted item prepared for steaming on an ironing board or other flat surface (pre-lay at least a fourfold blanket under the item if steaming will not be carried out on a special surface of the ironing board).

3. Moisten abundantly with water and wring out to a state of light moisture a pre-prepared piece of gauze fabric, through which steaming will be carried out.

4. Lay the piece of gauze over the knit.

5. Pick up a heated iron and bring it as close as possible to the surface of the gauze, without touching it. The distance from the sole of the iron to the gauze should be about 0.5-1 cm.

6. Gently move the iron over the surface of the wet gauze. In this case, the water from the gauze will evaporate, and the threads of the product will take on a neat appearance. You can also use an iron with a steam function. To do this, pour water into a special compartment of the iron, set the steam mode and move the iron over the surface of the knitted item.

In particularly difficult cases, you can use the steam boost function, in which a strong jet of steam is supplied from the soleplate to the item you are steaming, which then takes on the appearance of a neat product.

If the knitted pattern has not violated the shape of the part of the product, then the paired parts are cleaved with pins together and steamed with a hot iron on a very soft bedding through a damp cloth. It is steamed, not ironed! DO NOT carry an iron, but only touch.

Some drawings distort the shape of the part, narrower or smaller than the given pattern. In such cases, the knitted part is pierced on the pattern with the wrong side up and steamed in this form, then you need to leave the part to dry right on the pattern.

Soft bedding is necessary for steaming, so that the pattern does not flatten.

Very convex drawings (braids, bumps) are not recommended to be steamed.

Details with such patterns are best washed and wrung out without wringing out, then put on an absorbent substrate. Put the pattern of this part on top and straighten the part along the pattern. Let dry.

Only after these procedures, start assembling the product.

1. We sweep the ironed products with bobbin threads on the wrong side " over the edge". In the process of basting, simultaneously land along the shoulder lines, side lines. Next, the details need to be sewn on a sewing machine. Remove basting thread.

2. Shovza needle, or seam "line" .

It looks like a machine stitch.

The seam behind the needle is very often done by craftswomen, such a seam is practically invisible, but the disadvantage is that there are small extra edges, and that this seam is not elastic.

Such a seam can be performed both from the wrong side and from the front side of the product.

From the wrong side, we lay the seam like this:

We make two parts with the front sides inward, and sew on the wrong side according to the scheme. It is better to take the thread with which the main product was knitted and insert it into a needle with a large eye and a rounded end. If possible, make the stitches small, even and of the same length.

On the front side, such a seam is performed when there are open loops. The figure shows an example of such a seam when connecting horizontal and vertical knitting.

3. You can manually sew parts on the front side .

Such a seam is made correctly, it is not noticeable at all. There are several options for the execution of such a seam, the implementation of which is shown in the figures.

First way: "Put the needle inside the edge loop"

Second way: "for stretch"

4. hem at the bottom skirts, dresses you can hem with a buttonhole, but crochet it. To do this, bend the part along the loop column so that its direction is from left to right. Crochet row (half-column) knit from right to left in each loop of the loop column.

I put marlechka in a bowl of water. I turn on the iron to maximum heat. I lay out the piece on the table. The marlechka is slightly squeezed and applied to the part. With one hand, lightly touching the gauze, I lead over the product. My second hand is under the gauze and gently straightens the edge of the product. After one such “journey” through the part, it becomes almost equal. I drive the iron over the part until the gauze dries out a little. Then, carefully, with both hands, I lift the part and transfer it to a place where it, along with other parts, can lie until it dries. It is important to remember that a wet and hot part can be easily deformed. To avoid this, I lift the piece by sliding both hands palms up so that the piece rests on the area up to the elbows.

Knitted details, and not pinning on a pattern, I put on a fluffy bath towel (if openwork, then you can face up, if the pattern is more or less convex, then inside out), steam in the iron to the maximum, cover the details with double or triple gauze and without touching details, at a distance of 1-1.5 cm I process with steam, I did acrylic in the same way, but the size increased slightly. After stitching the seams, I also pass the steam through the gauze without touching the iron. In the course of steaming, remove the gauze more often and straighten the contour of the part. In my experience, this is the most successful way to steam

Knitted things made with your own hands are amazingly beautiful. They help to emphasize their individuality and bring many joyful moments in life. But they need to be looked after. What is the right way to approach this task?

Ironing knitwear should be done carefully so as not to damage the product.

Steaming the finished product

These things must be handled very carefully in order to maintain their elasticity, delicacy / relief. Before steaming, any such product must be carefully laid out on a flat surface, straightening out all wrinkles, creases and elongated places. If it is deformed, then you can attach it with pins to a pattern or some dense fabric.

Then determine the type of thread. The label often indicates the temperature allowed for their processing. Things that are knitted from cotton and linen can withstand very high temperatures, but it is important not to overdo it so that there are no ugly yellowish spots left. Thick fleecy threads should fluff; to do this, it is enough to hold the object over the container from which the steam rises, and let it dry. Things made from wool do not like steaming at all; they can be moistened, straightened and left to dry. Synthetic fibers such as Lurex require special care. It is better to tinker, choosing the right temperature and starting with the minimum, than to melt such threads and ruin everything.

When steaming, it is important to consider the following:

• All threads react differently to the temperature of the iron, even the same threads from a different batch. It is better to first try the iron from the inside out on a small piece of cloth.
• You can not pull the iron on the canvas, it stretches.
• A product with a relief pattern, made of thick wool, should be placed on a terry towel or a thick soft blanket, then the relief can be preserved.
• Rubber bands and very convex patterns do not iron at all.
• Steaming is carried out only through a damp cloth or gauze, without directly touching the fabric itself.
• The product should not be ironed until it is completely dry: it would be correct to leave it slightly damp and let it dry on its own.

The iron must be carefully drawn along the canvas so as not to stretch it.

Steaming things in the manufacturing process

When starting knitting, any craftswoman first makes a control sample. If you are not too lazy, make it bigger and carefully steam it, you can clearly see how the finished product behaves when ironed, sits down or stretches. Such a sample has another advantage: the calculation of the loops will be much more accurate, and the finished garment will fit perfectly.

When the details are ready, they also need to be steamed, trying to give them the shape of a pattern. At this stage, they are easy to process, and when knitting is completed, the same operation will be much more difficult to perform.

Paired parts, such as sleeves, pockets, decorative elements, are folded face to face, swept, steamed and allowed to dry in this form, and then separated.

The last time the item goes through the steaming process in a fully assembled form, with the main attention being paid to ironing the seams.

Steaming of knitted things is carried out through wet gauze

Crocheted products

Usually, light openwork things are crocheted. The beauty of a crocheted product will depend on how much it will be possible to maintain the shape of numerous holes.

For this purpose, the thing is laid out on a dense bedding or pattern. Then they stretch it with their hands, pinning up individual sections and even individual holes with pins. It is important that these pins do not leave rust and that their heads are not decorated with beads, which will make ironing much more difficult. If the pattern is very complex, it is recommended to fasten the knitted fabric to the bedding with light stitches along the contour of the pattern, which will prevent its deformation.

Shaping requires considerable effort and time, sometimes even a couple of hours. If the item is made of cotton, you can starch the reverse side of the item or use an appropriate spray to add extra density.

In the process of steaming, the pins are gradually removed from the finished sections. They leave traces on a thin knitted fabric, so when all the pins are removed, you should lightly moisten the product again and completely steam it so that there are no traces. If you show a little patience, do everything right and wait until the thing becomes dry, the result of crocheting will please even very demanding craftswomen.

Knitwear isn't easy to care for, but it's the necessary finishing touch to make it amazingly beautiful.

Knitwear is loved both by the generation of our grandmothers and is popular with our children and grandchildren. Knitted sweaters, cardigans, skirts and dresses are worn from an early age to old age, because the convenience of such things is invaluable. Especially if the thing is made by hand and is unique in its kind.

Needless to say, such clothes are very demanding in terms of maintenance, cleaning and washing processes. But how to steam a knitted product in order to keep its shape and not spoil it during processing.

Methods for steaming knitted products

During the steaming process, the product does not need to be touched (minimum gap 10 mm)

Steaming is done with an iron with a steam function. The presence of the "wool" or "delicate fabrics" mode is not necessary, since direct contact with the product is not required.

Before you start steaming, pour water into the iron up to the maximum mark. For safe ironing, you need white gauze or thin cotton fabric.

If processing will be carried out on an ironing board, then check its condition - the surface must be clean. In other cases, put a white terry towel in one or two layers.

The most effective steaming methods are as follows:

1. The product is taken and checked for stains. If everything is in order, then carefully lay out the thing on the surface of the ironing board. We set the desired mode, moisten and squeeze the gauze. Next, the product is covered with gauze. You can run your hand to make the fabric fit more tightly to the item. Then we guide the iron horizontally to the surface of the ironing board (gap 10 mm). If necessary, press the “Steam supply” button on the iron.
2. If for some reason there was no iron, then you can put the product in order with the help of a household hair dryer. To do this, you will need to repeat all the same steps. Next, turn on the hair dryer at maximum power and pass the thing several times. Distance 15-20 cm from the surface.
3. To eliminate small wrinkles, you can hold the item over the steam. It is necessary to collect hot water in the bathroom. Then hang the product on a hanger with hangers over the container. Further, you only need to periodically check the thing. Sometimes we run it with a clean hand.

After steaming, regardless of the method, the thing is laid out on a flat surface and turned over every 10-15 minutes. You can dress or remove the product only after complete drying.

A very simple and effective way to eliminate wrinkles from knitwear

If necessary, it is better not to resort to steaming knitwear and knitwear. This is especially important for materials that it is generally undesirable to wet with water.

Woolen items are not steamed at all. It is required to clean the thing in any convenient way and put it between two terry towels for 5-7 minutes. You can roll the product and towel into a “roll”, as shown in the figure above. Then unroll and dry on a flat surface.

To iron knitted hats, you will need to put a thing on any semicircular shape, for example, a glass jar, and process it a couple of times from a steam generator or steamer.

White items made of cotton threads are steamed at a low temperature, as strong heat can cause the fibers of the material to yellow. It is also taken into account that cotton shrinks and exposure to hot steam will only contribute to this.

Knitted product made of mohair is not ironed. To do this, use the method described at the very beginning. You will need to boil water in a small saucepan and hold the knitting over the rising steam.

If you are afraid to ruin knitted clothes, then you should not try and somehow experiment. It's best to take your clothes to the dry cleaners. These are extra costs, but they are clearly less than the cost of handmade products.

The finished product, crocheted or knitted, after completion of work or washing, needs to be steamed. This procedure will give things a neat appearance, prevent further shrinkage, stretching and deformation of clothing.

In addition, each individual detail of the knitted product should be carefully processed. These are sleeves, collar, back and other similar elements. But it is important to properly steam knitted things, otherwise you can burn or deform the material.

When can I steam and iron

Before ironing or steaming a purchased knitted item, study the label. He will tell you how to properly care for the product. Shows what can and cannot be done. The crossed-out iron sign means that you cannot iron and steam clothes! If the crossed out iron has two vertical lines at the bottom, the garment can be ironed but not steamed.

Steaming and ironing are allowed with the usual iron symbol. Steaming without ironing - an iron with two vertical lines on the bottom. In addition, there may be dots in the iron.

One point indicates that the material can be ironed at the lowest temperature up to 100 degrees. Two points - an average temperature of up to 150 degrees is allowed, three points allow ironing at the highest heat up to 200 degrees.

The first level of ironing or steaming up to 100 degrees is usually suitable for acrylic items. Medium heating up to 150 degrees is used for clothes made of wool. Ordinary knitwear can be ironed at temperatures up to 150 degrees.

Experts recommend not ironing, namely, steaming knitted items. Steamed products will look as neat and aesthetically pleasing as after ironing. But the risk of damaging the material will be minimized. Let's look at how to properly steam a knitted product with a crochet or knitting needles.

Rules for steaming knitwear

• Ironing and steaming knitted clothes is necessary only in a horizontal position, hats and hats are first put on the form (a glass jar is suitable);
• To give and fix the desired shape, the product is carefully straightened and stabbed with pins before boiling;
• Cotton, viscose and linen are steamed with an iron without gauze. Woolen and acrylic items are pre-covered with a damp cloth or gauze. And products from coarse yarn are moistened by themselves;
• For openwork and embossed knitted material, you can not use an iron !;
• After steaming, the thing is left to dry in a horizontal position, without removing the pins;
• Be sure to follow the instructions on the label!

How to steam things with a steam generator

For steaming, you can use a handheld steamer, a steam generator or a regular steam iron. The steam generator is the easiest and fastest way to restore a presentable appearance to things without damaging the material.

Such devices effectively smooth fabrics, eliminate even the most problematic and difficult folds, creases, bruises. The steam generator can be used for any type of knitwear.

You need to steam horizontally. Lay out the item on the ironing board, give it the desired shape and pin the details with a pin. Then pour water into the steam generator and heat up to the acceptable temperature. Walk over the surface of the product, paying special attention to individual elements.

The steam generator is perfect for steaming knitted hats and hats. To do this, put the product on a glass jar and treat the surface with a device.

After the end of the procedure, leave the clothes to dry on the ironing board, and the caps on the form. Do not remove the pins from things until they are completely dry! Otherwise, the clothes will be deformed and lose their shape.

How to steam knitwear with an iron

This option is suitable for summer products made from viscose, linen or cotton threads. In exceptional cases, you can use an iron for woolen and acrylic yarns. It is not recommended to use this method for thick and coarse fabrics, openwork mohair knitting.

In this case, the product is laid out on an ironing board, and the edges are pinned with a pin. Hold the iron up and run over the surface of the knitted fabric with steam. Then leave the clothes and pins to dry completely.

If you want to steam items made of wool, cover the item with a damp gauze or cloth. Then go over the iron with steam, holding the device at some distance from the surface. The gauze or cloth must always be damp during the process, so moisten the materials periodically.

By the way, wool products do not have to be steamed. After washing, wrap the garment in a terry towel or sheet and lightly blot excess moisture. Then lay the thing horizontally on a flat surface, smooth out the wrinkles and straighten the material, leave to dry completely. For more information on how to care for woolen things, read.

Other steaming methods

• Instead of an iron or a steam generator, some housewives use a hair dryer. To do this, cover things with damp gauze or cloth. Turn on the hair dryer to the strongest heat and walk on the surface of the product, holding the device at a certain distance;
• Thin and openwork knitwear that you are afraid to ruin can be steam ironed. To do this, fill the bathtub with boiling water and place the product over the bathtub on a grate or other surface. Smooth out the material and leave for several hours. In this case, you can not hang clothes, otherwise it will stretch or stretch;
• Individual knitted items and small knitted items can be steamed over a kettle. Wait until the water boils, and hold the desired element over the spout with the steam coming out;
• To straighten woolen and knitted items without an iron after washing, hang the products after washing on a coat hanger and leave them over a container of boiling water for a while. Alternatively, spray the material with water and lay it horizontally on a flat surface.

If, after steaming, things are deformed and stretched, wash the products in a washing machine at a delicate setting at a temperature of 40 degrees without spinning. Wring things out by hand! Then hang the clothes on hangers or a rope and carefully straighten the material.