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How to Make Super Heavy Starch for Crafting

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So you love crisp, clean shirts? Shirts that don’t move when you do? Jeans so stiff they can walk themselves to the laundry room? Sure, there’s something to be said for laundry starch, but there is also something to be said for strong starch when crafting, specifically with knitting and crochet. So here’s How to Make Super Heavy Starch for crafting at home.

 

How to Make Super Heavy Starch for Crafting

This super heavy homemade starch is one that I use specifically when crafting with yarn or crochet thread. I wouldn’t use this on my clothing (but you could if you watered it down significantly). In my quest for finding the perfect way to SUPER starch my newest crochet pattern (that’s a secret until later today!), I decided that store bought aerosol starch just wasn’t cutting it. It wasn’t stiff enough, I didn’t like the way it left white spots when used on dark fabric, and I wanted to be able to control the amount of stiffness of said starch.

This heavy starch uses just a two household ingredients: water and corn starch. It sounds so easy doesn’t it? That’s because it is.

Homemade Starch for Use When Crafting

Tip: The more starch you use in relation to the water, the stiffer your finished product will be.

Tip #2: Stirring together BEFORE boiling keeps it less lumpy.

Ingredients:

Water
Corn starch

Super Heavy Starch Directions:

1. Mix 1 cup cold water with 1 tbsp corn starch until clumps disappear.

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Corn Starch for Fabric Stiffener

2. Boil mixture until thick. (boiling helps to eliminate flakes or white spots when the starch dries)

3. Remove from heat and let cool.

How to Make Homemade Super Heavy Starch for Use When Crafting

4. Mix in about 1/2 cup cold water. (the less water added now, the stronger the starch)

5. Soak the yarn/crochet thread/fabric in the liquid.

6. Carefully squeeze extra liquid out and position item in EXACTLY the shape you wish it to dry.

If you are starching a crafted item that you want SUPER stiff, you might want to repeat this process using little to no added water at the end. Just let the boiled mixture cool to lukewarm and spoon onto the project, coating all surfaces of the yarn/fibers. Note that when I do this with large projects, I use a wide (18″) aluminum foil and lay it out on my countertop.


This super heavy starch recipe pairs perfectly with my newest crochet pattern (that I am releasing later today on the Heart Hook Home Facebook page)! Stay tuned, you’ll ♥ this one!

How to Make Starch for Crafts

More homemade recipes:

How to Make Your Own Homemade Swiffer Cleaning Solution
Homemade Butter (and Buttermilk!) Using a Kitchen Mixer
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Make Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Tabs
Homemade “Cream of” Soups (Chicken, Celery, Mushroom)

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73 Comments

    1. Hello! No, you will soak the finished item, then shape it so it can dry in the shape you desire. Step 5 is listing the materials that your item could be made with that this starch will work for.
      Reply
  2. I don't do many items at a time (smaller projects for Random Acts of Crochet Kindness) & wud like to know cud I reheat the starch stiffener once it has stiffened or hardned in container or do I hv to make a new batch? TIA
    Reply
  4. Hi, thank you for the recipe. I wanted to ask if the cooled solution can be used in a spray bottle? I wanted to stiffen only the brim of my crochet hat. Thank you! Dee
    Reply
  5. Avoid clumps by using a sieve to sift the starch. I swirl the water, sift, swirl, sift. It takes a bit longer, but I have Never had clumps or residue when adding that step. :) If you have someone to help swirl (there's not enough space in my container to have someone stir) while you sift, all the better. I whisk it afterwards to ensure it's smooth.
    Reply
  8. I have to starch a knitted and crocheted 60-inch round cotton tablecloth. Can I just spray it with heavy finish ironing spray starch and let it dry or should I try your recipe? I am going to try to let it dry flat, but some might go over the edge. Would I be able to iron the edges flat when dry? Thanks.
    Reply
  9. I looked up best heavy-duty starch and this post came up. I checked for dates on responses and last one was recent so thought I might get answer. The starch I am using for drapes is not great. They are linen. 1- Soaking piece. I don't want to soak, I want to spray. Will spraying give enough 'heavy-duty' or will that diminish the power too much? 2-Can you iron the mixture? 3-If I do spray should I let dry before ironing? 4-You advise against using in humidity. Homes get humid sometimes so..... 5-You have any idea about effects over time-fading or hurting fabric? I understand if you haven't done it you won't have all the answers but educated guess will help. Thanks for the post though, will remember it for other things and it's a great emergency tip.
    Reply
  10. As a former Marine we starched everything. Thank you now I have my own recipe from your post. I still starch my cover now even better. Always wanted heavy starch. 1cup water 2 heaping table spoons corn starch boil it from white looking like milk to a translucent grey color 5 minutes. The Marine Kid.
    Reply
  11. This is great!!! I'm currently crocheting a 'cat cave' and despite using 2 strands of a thick yarn, and the smallest hook I can, it's still a bit floppy. I came across this in my googling and can't wait to give it a try! The simple ingredients mean I can stiffen the cat cave and not worry about it being toxic to our kitties afterwards. Thanks so much!
    Reply
  12. I made 3 nantucket baskets. Would you recommend starching them so they fit inside each other more easily. They all all worsted cotton, single crochet. They are all the right size.
    Reply
  13. Hi! Can this starch be used on a dark colored ribbon without leaving a milky looking residue? I'm having trouble stiffening a dark burgundy ribbon, for making a bow. THANKS!
    Reply
  14. You dont mention if this can be washed and waterproof ! also there is an error with grammar First Name and to send post Name. It should be Name. The word Name is 'first. so the word First is an extra word that has no purpose unless you are asking for Last name when there is more than one name , Gloria, Maria, Lisa. Thanks
    Reply
    1. Ha! You mention grammatical errors in this blog, but you didn't even critique your own post! "Also" should be capitalized, and there should have been a comma placed after this word. Why are people ( like yourself) critize stupid sh*t like this. If you can say something nice, don't say anything at all!
      Reply
      1. There were so many mistakes in grammar and punctuation by Jent, truly she has the kind of nerve so called “know-it-alls” typically display. She certainly wasn’t the kind of crafter I’d want in my group. Hey, you hang in there! Thanks for your recipe and help!
        Reply
    2. You dont (don't) mention if this can be "washed and waterproof" (washed or if it is waterproof). She did, however, state that if you want stronger starch, add less water at the end. Common sense tells us that using water would lessen the strength of the starch. As an example, think of a starched shirt which must be starched again after every wash. In regard to the "Name" or "First Name" issue, by specifically asking for "First name" , that implies that it is preferred to use your first name only. Asking for "Name" there is the possible inference that first and last names should be entered in the one box. I hope that helps you better understand the English language.
      Reply
  15. How much of the mixture do you ring out? I left mine pretty wet needless to say they didn't dry over night. I'm glad I used this on samples and not on my project. Also can I rush the drying by using a blower? Thank you
    Reply
  16. I am going to be starching A LOT of doilies to use as snowflakes for a church luncheon. They will need to be starched very stiff as they will be hanging from the ceiling. Many of these are coming from ladies from our congregation and they will want them back. Will the starch wash out when we are finished with them? Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.
    Reply
  17. Can you leave this to dry in a cold place or no? I’m storing mine to dry on my garage and I’m worried that it won’t dry properly
    Reply
  20. I intend to cover the walls of a room with fabric, most websites showing how to do this feature 'Sta-fl' liquid starch, which is not readily available in the UK. What recipe would you suggest to make my own equivalent? Salut, from England.
    Reply
    1. I used the recipe for putting up thick wrapping paper on my walls so I would think it would work for fabric
      Reply
  21. I have a couple questions. How long can I store this stuff? And could I multiply the recipe? Like, could I use twice the amount of starch and water in one sitting or do I have to make multiple batches?
    Reply
    1. You can double, Triple, quadruple the recipe all in one batch. Use what you need cover the rest for near future use. For longer use you can put it in the refrigerator.
      Reply
    2. Ifi use sta-flo instead of water for the mixture and it still work?? I need somethimg super super strong
      Reply
  22. I plan on making a large wall hanging using old doilies. This "wall hanging" will also be used outside at a wedding. Do you think this starching method will hold up to humid conditions? Once I have completed this wall hanging I will not be able to disassemble it easily to re-starch the doilies.
    Reply
    1. Hi Rachel! I don't think it would hold up in humidity very well...especially if for long durations.
      Reply
  23. Pingback: Strikket Madam Blå – Ditte Gade
    1. Hi Daizie! For the purpose of starching fabrics/yarns, I wouldn't mix starch with mod podge as I believe that would create more of a plaster like paste.
      Reply
    1. Hi Theresa! You can use this mixture on many different fabrics/yarns...I don't see any reason that it wouldn't work with acrylic as well =)
      Reply
  27. Any idea how many objects you can use this amount for? I have about 11 crochet snowflakes (maybe 3-4" each) and wondering how much to make. Thanks so much!
    Reply
  30. Well I am going to attempt this on my sunhat tomorrow. I have read all comments so I kind of know what to expect. My question is...what did you use to form the head part? I am resourceful so I will think of something by then.
    Reply
  31. Thank you for posting this recipe. I tried to buy store bought liquid starch and can't find it any where. I plan to try it with fabric to use in my dollhouse for wall paper. Thank again!
    Reply
  32. I plan to try this starch recipe. When I worked in nursing we made our caps (remember those?) by placing our dampened fabric (which was like a hankerchief) in luquid starch, then putting onto the refrigerator door and smoothing it out. It dried overnight and we could peel it off when dry. The side against the frig was especially smooth and shiny. We then folded it into shape. I plan to starch doilies and put them on a window instead of a curtain. Has anyone heard of this?
    Reply
    2. My mom always starched her doilies with Argo and then laid them out on opened-up grocery bags. Only had to re-starch them when she thought they needed washing. I actually don't know any other way to starch a doily.
      Reply
  33. So i added the mp fabric and it is ugly!! So im wondering after i stiffen what can i use to give my item a gloss satin look, because just the starch mixture makes my item dull when using black crochet thread. Tried it on silver its good so far.
    Reply
    1. @tryandfeelme You could try painting the reverse side of your project with the starch, using a small brush. The front part should stay shiny.
      Reply
    1. I don't find that I have a lot left over, so I usually toss what little there is. Also, I would not use plastic wrap instead of foil, but you could! If you try that, please let me know how it goes.
      Reply
      1. Why foil? And thanks very much for answering i didn't think i would get an answer!!! I got this crusty stuff that dries on my item . I think while it cools it forms this skin on top and when i stir it , it gets mixed up but doesn't break down. So im going to remove that skin. Also i did a batch where i did not add water after cooling, and one where i did. Not much difference. But adding multiple coats makes a difference. Im adding modge podge fabric coat. After stiffening, cause i want a shine. I wonder if it will effect the stiffening .
        Reply
      2. I used plastic wrap before when im using modge podge so i figured why not. The plastic wrap works. I pin it down in cardboard with sewing pins. And pin my item in the shape i want
        Reply
      3. Hello&an Thank you for sharing this homemade recipe. I don't like to buy aerosols. Esspecially if i can make my own things at home. Could I put this into a spray bottle instead of spooning onto my finished crocheted project? God bless!
        Reply
  37. Soooo after putting the starch on do I have to iron it? Or just let the crocheted item dry? I don't know, that's why Im asking.
    Reply
  38. I could definitely use this for my crochet christmas tree decorations this year! There were a little on the floppy side last year....
    Reply