How to Keep a Knit Beanie From Stretching Out| b.e.happe

The short version: knit beanies stretch out from three things, heat, hanging, and rough washing. Wash yours gently in cool water, never wring or hang it, and lay it flat to dry. Do that, and a well-made beanie will hold its slouch for years.

Here's what's actually happening, and exactly how to prevent it:

• Why they stretch: heat relaxes the fibers, and a wet beanie is heavy — gravity does the rest if you hang it. Hooking it on a peg by the hat ribbing is the fastest way to warp the shape.
• Washing: hand-wash in cool water with a small amount of gentle detergent. Skip the hot water entirely.
• Drying: press the water out gently in a clean towel, don't wring or twist, then reshape it and lay it flat. No tumble dryer, no hanging.
• Storing: fold it and lay it flat in a drawer, or lightly stuff the crown to hold its shape. Never hang it by the brim.

One more thing that matters more than care: how it was made to begin with. A tightly hand-knit beanie holds its shape far better than a loose, mass-produced one. That's why every one of our handmade slouchy beanies (link to Slouchy Beanies) is crocheted in small batches, stitch by stitch, to keep its slouch wash after wash.