Knitwear care: small routines for favourite pieces

MAKE Journal · Sample article · About 3 minutes to read

Knitwear is all about texture: fine and smooth, loose and fluffy, or somewhere in between. A thoughtful approach to care helps you enjoy those surfaces. Different yarns have different needs, so treat these notes as a starting point. The instructions on the garment's care label always come first.

Look before you wash

After wearing a knit, check whether it really needs washing. Sometimes airing it in a dry, shaded place is enough. Avoid rubbing stains vigorously. Before attempting spot cleaning, check which treatment the fabric can tolerate according to its label.

Let the care label lead

Wool, cotton and blended fibres may need different treatment. If machine washing is allowed, follow the stated temperature and choose an appropriate gentle programme. A wool cycle is not automatically suitable for every knitted item. Choose detergent to match the material too. If the label specifies professional cleaning only, follow that advice.

Reshape gently

Where the care instructions allow it, gently reshape a damp knit and lay it flat to dry. Avoid pulling hard or wringing it out. Hanging a heavy, wet knit can change its shape. Direct heat from a radiator is not a reliable shortcut either; follow the drying instructions as carefully as the washing instructions.

Give it room in your wardrobe

Many knitted pieces store well folded. Put them away clean and completely dry, and leave delicate surfaces a little space. Small pills may form where fabric rubs against itself or another surface. Remove them only using a method suited to the material, testing first in an inconspicuous area.

Our approach: Good care need not be complicated. A quick material check and a little patience are often more helpful than reaching straight for your usual wash cycle. When in doubt, ask a specialist cleaner before treating a favourite piece.