can you put a drawstring in a curly purly waistband?

[gelfnrach]

I just got an awesome pair of shorties but the waist is a bit big on ds. I am wondering if I can thread something through it to make a drawstring...
Or will I ruin them?
Thanks! I am obviously not a knitter!

[Momofangels]

I am not a knitter either, my shorties are made from sweater sleeves so I can't help with the waistband drawstring issue, but I was just going to suggest maybe placing this on the knitting forums here and seeing if they would know. I have seen threads over there about wool soakers and things.