How Do You Shape and Stiffen After Finishing a Huge Afghan?
The warmth of a handmade afghan is pure joy. Isn"t it? They are great gifts for people of all ages, religion, caste and sex. Moreover, each afghan over the years becomes associated with numerous heart-warming stories. Well, this edition of my newsletter is for all afghan lovers, even those who are thinking of crocheting their first afghan.You crochet an afghan with great enthusiasm spinning dreams about it. However, when you are done, you realize it"s not quite what you had in your mind. It doesn"t look professional. It"s edges are curled, particularly if you used a light yarn to crochet it. Don"t lose heart. You too can give your afghans that crisp store bought look by properly shaping and stiffening them. Here"s how to shape and stiffen afghans, no matter what their size:
ð€×   Spread the afghan on a table or a flat surface. Use a spare bed or carpeted floor if the afghan is too big.
ð€×   Pin the afghan to the surface.
ð€×   Heat your steam iron hot enough so its steam function can be used.
ð€×   Hold the iron close to the afghan, but be careful about the iron NOT touching the afghan.
ð€×   Steam the afghan.
ð€×   Leave it undisturbed until it dries completely.
ð€×   Remove the pins and fold the afghan.
Wash slightly dirty afghans with a mild detergent and delicate wash cycle. Kids tend to dirty their afghans rather heavily. Such blankets and afghans can be washed with regular detergent and standard wash cycle. Never wring your afghans or put them on the clothesline. Just spread them out and let them dry.
Old afghans may sometimes become misshapen. They can be reshaped the same way as described above.
I hope this is helpful. I"ll be back with more next time.
Take care.