A matter of form: Storing knitted items correctly
Knitted garments are best stored flat. On a hanger, the weight of the garment can put a strong strain on the material. This can cause shoulders to bulge and the entire garment to lose its shape.
Fold your knitwear loosely and do not stack too many heavy items on top of each other. Do not stuff them into an overflowing closet, but leave some space for the material.
If you are storing your winter clothes over the summer, you can store them loosely folded in an airtight container. This also protects against moths. An individual cotton bag for each knitted item – for example, a zippered pillowcase – offers additional protection.
A lavender sachet in the storage box can also keep moths away and provides a pleasant scent. Store the box in a dry place protected from sunlight.
Before your knitwear disappears into the closet for a longer period, you should check it and wash or repair it if necessary. Pay particular attention to:
- Odors
- Stains
- Holes
- Pilling
Even during the wearing season, it's worth checking regularly. However, for wool, the general rule is: less care is often more.
1. Removing odors
Virgin wool naturally has dirt-repellent properties and therefore does not need to be washed after every wear. Often, thoroughly airing out the garment is sufficient.
For frequently worn favorite sweaters or wool socks, this property eventually reaches its limits. Then, washing is advisable. If the care instructions allow, we recommend machine washing on the wool cycle. It treats the knitwear more evenly than an erratic hand wash.
Turn your knitwear inside out before washing. Select the wool wash cycle and the temperature indicated on the banderole. For many yarns, both machine washing and spinning are allowed – but the manufacturer's instructions are always crucial.
Use a suitable wool detergent and avoid fabric softener. This can attack animal fibers and contribute to them felting or losing their structure over time.As soon as the wash program is finished, you should remove the knitted item from the machine. Do not leave wool in water or detergent solution for unnecessarily long periods.
Dry properly after washing
Spread the washed knitted item on a dry towel. Then roll the towel up and gently squeeze the roll. This way, you remove excess water without wringing out the material.
It's best to measure your knitted item before washing it. Afterwards, you can lay it flat and restore it to its original dimensions. If it has lengthened during washing, gently lay it out slightly compressed.
Knitted items made from viscose yarns or superwash-treated yarns can particularly lose their shape. Therefore, always dry them flat and gently reshape them into a more compact form if necessary.
Wool should be washed as infrequently as possible overall. However, a thorough cleaning before long-term storage is advisable.
Treating stains, holes, and pilling
2. How to treat stains correctly
Cookies, gingerbread, mulled wine, or a cup of coffee: especially in winter, a stain on your favorite sweater is not always avoidable. Treat it as quickly as possible before it penetrates deep into the fibers.
You should also regularly check patterned knitwear for stains. Smaller dirt often only becomes noticeable there at second glance.
We recommend not just washing out the affected area in the sink. With spot treatment, the stain can spread and the knitted item can warp due to uneven stress.
If the material and care instructions allow, you can pre-treat the stain carefully with a little gall soap. Work it gently into the stitches without rubbing vigorously. Afterwards, wash the entire knitted item in the machine with a small amount of suitable detergent and sufficient water.
The finer and more delicate the fiber, the more carefully you should proceed. Therefore, always observe the care instructions on the banderole.
For a gentle approach to wool, we recommend:
- Do not knit too tightly.
- Use only a small amount of detergent.
- Wash with sufficient water.
- Observe the care instructions on the banderole.
The first wash
Despite modern dyeing processes, excess dye can adhere to the outside of the yarn fibers. This often comes off during the first wash.
Therefore, wash a new knitted item separately the first time. Our tip: Add a small shot glass of clear vinegar to the machine. Also, observe the care instructions of the yarn manufacturer.
For multi-colored projects, it is advisable to wash the swatches already. This way, you can see in advance if a color bleeds onto lighter areas.
3. Repairing holes
You should repair holes as early as possible. The longer you wait, the greater the risk that more stitches will unravel and the damaged area will grow.
For a small hole, it is often sufficient to rework the missing stitches with a darning needle in the pattern stitch. If possible, keep some of the original yarn for this purpose. This way, the color, thickness, and material will match the knitted item later.
You can darn larger holes in the traditional way. The repair does not necessarily have to be invisible: with a contrasting color or a small embroidery motif, the mended area becomes a deliberately designed detail. "Visible Mending" turns a necessary repair into an individual eye-catcher.
4. Gently removing pilling
Pilling is not a fundamental quality defect. The small knots mainly appear where the knitted item rubs against other materials – for example, under the arms, on the sides, or under a bag strap.
Soft and voluminous yarns are often more prone to pilling because their fibers are more loosely bound in the thread. But even firmer cotton yarns can form small knots.
It is best to wash your finished knitted item once according to the care instructions before wearing it for the first time. This allows loose fibers to detach from the yarn.
Do not pluck existing knots with your fingers. This will pull more fibers from the thread and promote new pilling. Instead, carefully cut off individual knots or use a lint shaver.
When shaving, place the garment on a smooth surface and work without strong pressure. Be particularly careful with fine, fluffy, or loosely knitted materials.
Storage and Odor Removal
It's best to store knitwear flat. On a hanger, the garment's own weight can put a strong strain on the material, which can cause the shoulders to bulge and the entire garment to lose its shape.
This is how your knitwear stays in shape
How to keep your knitted items in shape
Even while knitting, you can help ensure that your finished piece stays beautiful for a long time. Don't work the yarn too tightly or too loosely, and stick to the specified gauge.
Cuffs stay in shape better if you knit them with slightly thinner needles than the rest of the knitted item. Refer to the respective instructions for guidance.
If the yarn band allows, prefer machine washing on the wool cycle over hand washing. Pay attention to the recommended temperature, use little detergent, and avoid fabric softener.
This way, your favorite pieces will remain well-maintained and dimensionally stable for a long time. When you take them out again after the summer break, you can slip right into them and enjoy them.
