To iron or not to iron?

Ironing can flatten acrylic especially with a damp cloth. And it can get a shine Would it work to give it a gentle handwash and then dry it flat? I know it seems a shame.

Wouldn't iron/press it, shysal. What jingle suggests would be your best bet. I've made the same mistake in the past and ruined what could have been a nice bit of work!

Have you done the blocking out to size bit and covering it with a damp cloth and then leave it to dry. it seems to work. I have found that the quality of acrylic yarn varies wildly, and its best not to buy the very cheapest. I use artificial fibres as most wool makes me itch like mad.

Thanks all. I have not finished knitting it yet, so shall be very careful when the time comes.I said the yarn was cheap, but it was a reduced rather than low price, so fingers crossed. I also cannot wear wool.

What's an iron? Never seen one for years.

As acrylic is essential plastic, ironing will 'melt' the fibres which results in the permanently stretched effect.
I follow Nellie's block & damp cloth method.

helshea...on the very rare occasions I use my iron, it invariably needs dusting first.

Makes sense notso! Thanks.

That's odd. My posts keep on disappearing.

I knitted an acrylic sleeveless cardigan a few months ago and then, because it looked scruffy, I gave it a good press with a damp cloth and iron.

It came out all stretched and flattened and I threw it away.

So don't press.

I put all my knitting under the rug - the grandchildren know its there and can have a look how the garments are progressing. It gets pressed whilst under there!

I think the "good press" was too much for it. i never press woollen or acrylic things, but if they are looking a bit crumpled I sometimes pass a steam iron over it an inch or two above it - no weight on it at all, and the steam high enough to only sort of form a cloud over it.

Even gently washing acrylic things can make them go stretchy and out of shape!

It's very easy to ruin acrylic hand knits by ironing them - I know, I've done it and regretted it. A very gentle ironing, on a very low heat, might be okay. You could knit a small test square and iron it to see how your yarn reacts to being ironed.

If you spray the item lightly with a water spray, place a large cotton hankerchief over it and use a warm iron so that the acrylic won't melt, it should come out looking good.
I use this method for pure wool but with a hotter setting, you just have to lower the heat for yarns that are a mixture of wool and acrylic.

GranmaMary You must be very confident about what mess might be under your rug! I would not dare to do that!

You can iron acrylic with a gently warm iron but never go anyway near it with any steam. I have been there ruined things as well.

i was brought up in a family of kniter ie Grandma Mum, and they all put there knitting under the rug ,I have as well and they come out pressed and looking fine.

Update - I am knitting 5 Christmas jumpers, red with white fair isle pattern round the bottom. They range from 4 years to 3 months. The carpet is getting very springy to walk on. One and a half to go!!!

Do you have to duck yet to avoid hitting your head on the light fittings? Or get vertigo?

I'm impressed granmaMary. They sound lovely and, yes, under the rug between paper works for me too.

I can't understand the non ironers and the fact that they seem so proud of not ironing. Knitted things look so much better for being pressed before sewing.

ive knitted all my life and never press anything. In my opinion it flattens the stitches and looks odd. Actually thats not quite accurate, I do lightly press up picot edges.