How to Make a Sweater Rack

Always dry sweaters on a flat surface where air circulates all around.

Contemporary sweaters and other knitted garments can be made of wool, cotton, synthetics or blends of two or more kinds of fibers. In most cases, except for certain valuable or handmade items, a sweater can be washed, either by hand or in a washer's delicate cycle, in cool water with a mild detergent. Drying by machine, however, may shrink or cause a knitted garment to lose its shape. Most manufacturers recommend air drying a sweater on a flat surface where air circulates all around.

Things You'll Need

• Discarded wood picture frame or
• Discarded wood screen frame
• Plastic canvas or
• Plastic screen
• Medium sandpaper
• All-purpose cleaner
• Utility scissors
• Tape measure
• Felt marker
• Heavy-duty stapler and staples

Instructions

1. Find a large portrait frame made of wood in a thrift store or select a wooden screen frame from a junkyard or other similar places. Remove the painting from the frame or the old metal screen from the screen frame, if necessary. Remove any remaining unnecessary hardware such as tacks or brads that might rust.

2. Sand the frame carefully, eliminating any potential snags or splinters. When the surface is smooth, wipe it clean with a household cleaner, warm water and a rag.

3. Purchase a large roll of plastic canvas from a craft or hobby store, or a roll of plastic screen material from a hardware supply store or home improvement store. Measure the opening on the frame and add at least 4 inches to both height and width measurements. Mark the plastic materials with a felt marker and cut. Both these materials can be cut to fit with sturdy scissors.

4. Turn the frame upside down on top of the piece of plastic mesh. Starting in the center of the bottom, fold up a 2-inch piece and staple to the frame. Repeat at the center of the top, pulling the mesh as tightly as possible. Turn the frame on its side and begin at the middle of one side and repeat on the other. Continue to secure the mesh to the frame, alternating top, bottom, side and side until finished.

5. Trim excess mesh from around the edges of the frame or tape it down to the frame with masking tape, taking care not to leave any rough edges that would damage a sweater. Raise this frame from the top of the dryer with clean wood blocks or food cans. Alternatively, suspend the frame between two chairs or set it inside a bathtub.

6. Place the wet sweater on the mesh, patting it in place without pulling or stretching the knit. Smooth out any wrinkles or puckers and allow to dry thoroughly.

Tips & Warnings

• Some experts recommend drawing an outline of the sweater, when it's dry, on the mesh so that the shape can be restored after washing. Be sure to use indelible ink or a waterproof crayon when marking on the mesh.

References

• Housekeeping Channel: TLC for Sweaters