Knitted clothes are essential for fall and winter. Whether it's sweaters, cardigans or even dresses: we always find ourselves with 10 sweaters of each color and of each type for "just in case".
To save you from having to buy your sweaters every year because they came out to your little sister's size, here are our tips for maintaining your knitted clothes.
Before washing:
- Sort your stitches by color
If you love your sweaters and want to keep their beautiful colors, forget the “color catcher” washing sheets and instead favor sorting by color.
- Detach before washing
Marseille soap or beef gall soap are generally very effective. Simply apply them in a small amount and gently rub the stained area with small circular movements on the mesh. Rinse the stain and put the garment directly in the washing machine.
Washing :
- Machine wash
BE CAREFUL, an essential point not to be neglected ! Choose a cold program. Unless you want to pass on your sweater to your old Barbie doll, it is important that you wash it in cold: 30° is ideal and 40° the maximum. To avoid damaging the stitches and to ensure that your sweater remains intact, deprogram the spin or select a maximum of 400 rpm.
- To hand-wash
We know that this is the part we like the least but if you have the courage or the time you can opt for a more traditional technique : washing by hand. By following grandma's advice, there is no risk of going wrong : soak your clothing in a sink, a salad bowl or a plastic basin that does not bleed, with the secret mixture (lukewarm or cold water + detergent). Leave to soak for 5 to 10 minutes then gently rub the item of clothing over it. Finally, rinse it by wringing it each time in 3 cold baths in order to properly eliminate the used water.
After washing :
- Spinning
No need to squeeze and twist it like a dishcloth. Simply wring it out gently then squeeze it into a clean bath towel to remove excess water.
- Drying
Forget the dryer! No other solution than drying in the open air. To ensure that your knitted sweater or vest keeps its initial shape, we recommend drying it flat on a table. The goal is not to stretch the stitches. Never hang on a hanger to dry, otherwise you risk deforming your shoulders !
Maintain your stitches :
- Avoid pilling
Hand wash and dry flat to prevent pilling. If pilling still appears : don’t worry. Simply shave your garment with an electric razor very gently.
- Storage
Avoid storing on hangers so as not to distort the stitches on the shoulders. To ensure that your sweater or cardigan is well stored, we advise you to simply fold it.
- Repair your stitches
A stitch coming out : You don't need to be an expert knitter to repair the frayed stitch coming out of your sweater. Two solutions : a granny hook or a safety pin. You take the stitch that comes out, you pass it towards the inside and that's it!
A hole in the stitches : A slightly trickier step. If you have any knowledge of sewing or knitting, you can simply take the two ends of the thread that make the hole and make a discreet knot. Otherwise, ask someone qualified to avoid fraying your entire sweater.
Fashion point : here is our selection of sweaters and cardigans that we LOVE ! Here.
