Soaker is only felting lengthwise?!

[rosie29]

I'm trying to felt a soaker that I made too large for DD. The rise decreased after running it through the dryer, but the width won't shrink for me. In fact, I think it became wider after I hand-washed it! Did I do something wrong? Am I stuck with it this way? I'm happy with the rise the way it is now, but it's much wider than I'd prefer. (It does have a drawstring, so that will help.)

[liawbh]

Usually knits shrink much more lengthwise than width. I was just bemoaning that fact today as ds's longies fell down again.