Can yarn be starched like crocheting cotton thread?

Question

I crochet baskets and other items from cotton thread and, when done, I starch them with a 1:1 sugar and water mixture which is boiled to dissolve the sugar then cooled and the item dipped in it.

I have made something for my grandson from acrylic knitting worsted and would like it to retain its shape but I don't know if I can use the same starching method to accomplish this.

Anybody know?

Thanks,
Deana

Answer 1

The glue you would use is the kind that is white when still wet and dries clear and waterproof.
Often sold as wood glue.
It can be used as thin as one part glue in ten part water for a little stiffening, or nearly glue only for heavy duty work, but I would test it in a 1 glue in 5 water solution.
Make sure you test a little of the yarn in the glue, as the different man-made fibers react different on different glues.

Answer 2

One thing you could use to starch yarn rather than thread is to use a 1:1 glue water mixture. It will dry and the glue will be crystal clear and it will be stiffened. I used this method to starch wings that I crocheted for a christmas tree angel and the effect was even better than the sugar method. If it doesn't turn out stiff enough then make another solution with a little more glue and a little less water. Best of luck to you!!

Answer 3

I'm just guessing based on other things that I have starched, but I think that all it would do is starch the individual fibers and make them stand out from one another. Do you have some leftover yarn so you could run an experiment? I would also try wallpaper paste and see if that stiffens it up.

Usually the stiffening is done with cardboard inserts, or by weaving the yarn on plastic canvas..
.

Answer 4

Hi Deana. Try blocking your acrylic garment. Make sure you use a thick damp towel on the bottom, place the garment on top of there, another damp towel on the very top. Set your iron to steam and place it over the top towel being careful not to place the iron directly on the towel at all. Just steam is the key to not losing loft on the article being blocked. Remove to towel and let the newly blocked item dry completely before moving on to the next area and repeating the above steps. Blocked items usually retain their shape but I prefer to dry them by laying them flat to avoid wearing the yarn out more than necessary. I have sweaters I knitted my daughter 26 years ago and they are like new. Now my grandchildren use them! Happy hooking, Barb

Answer 5

i like to use corn starch for stiffening. in a bowl big enough for your project ,mix 1/2 c corn starch in cold water until dissolved then add boiling water from kettle and stir until liquid becomes clear . place your item in liquid . stir around with a wooden spoon then remove item to sink.,press out liquid . either place object over a form of desired shape or lay flat. it will dry stiff. when i make doilies and for example want a hat shape i place it over a small bowl. i am a senior and i learned this from my grandmother and it has always worked well for me.

Answer 6

I have used the following product:

Aleene's® Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid. It is available at most craft stores.

Answer 7

Stick the finger-weight, it's softer.