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How to Wash Sweaters and Knitwear

You've spent countless hours knitting an item, or you spent a lot of money on a piece of knitwear...now let's take care of it! Julie found herself constantly rigging together her own kits for sweater care out of miscellaneous items around the house. After many years of teaching she learned that this was a sticking point for her students as well. So she put together the Sweater Care Collection, where you can pick and choose everything you need to maintain and love your knitwear for years to come.

Here are 4 simple steps to washing and drying your item properly. By cleaning your piece after it gets tired or dirty you reduce pilling and the risk of moth infestation (moths are attracted to dirt and oil on knitwear) It will look better, too, because the fibers will be refreshed and plumped! Whether you're a knitter, crocheter, or someone with delicate store-bought items to take care of, these steps will increase the quality and life of your precious pieces.

4 Steps to Washing Your Sweaters and Knitwear

1

Sweater Care Washing Bag + Wool Wash

 

 

Mesh Laundry Bag

First place your knitwear in the fine mesh, zippered Washing Bag. We recommend only placing one item in each bag - turned inside-out and gently folded. Fill your sink with tepid water and add 1 teaspoon per gallon of a liquid wool wash of your choice. (We like Eucalan because it's delicate, natural, unscented, and best of all, you don't need to rinse it!) Let the fibers soak for at least 15 minutes so the cleansers can penetrate the fibers fully. Drain your sink and gently squeeze out excess water - do not wring your knits, ever. 

2

Super-Absorbent Towel

 

Absorbent Towel For Drying Knits

Next, mindfully place your garment on the Super-Absorbent Towel smoothing out the item so it lays flat. Roll the towel up - if you're washing a small piece, you can fold the towel in half first then roll. Kneel and press your body weight against the towel, or step on it barefoot to remove as much moisture as possible.  

3

Check Your Gauge Cloth + Knitter's Block

 

A grid illustration displaying inches.

 

Just like hair, once yarns are wet they are malleable and will take shape of their position while drying. That's why we created the Check Your Gauge Cloth, so you can check your gauge and shape your piece with the 1x1 inch square gingham pattern. If your item requires pinning (which we suggest for ultimate detail) you can lay this towel over the Knitter's Block tiles and use the T-Pins to secure your item in place. Now allow your item to dry until damp. 

4

Pop-up Dryer

 

Pop-Up Dryer

We're almost there! Once your knitwear is damp, gently slide the flat Pop-up Dryer between your item and the Check Your Gauge Cloth. Then you may buckle the straps so air can flow underneath the garment without having to flip it. And violà! Just like that you've completed blocking or washing your knitwear properly. It will thank you tenfold, we promise. 

Please ensure that all of the Sweater Care Collection items are completely dried before putting them back in the jute bag. Give your knits extra love by folding them mindfully and storing them in an airy environment with minimal moisture. 

Next Step

1

Depilling

Does your sweater still need a little rejuvenating? Remove pills with the Fuzz Off Comb and refresh fibers with the Sweater Care Brush. To learn how, watch our tutorial How to Remove Sweater Pills.

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Comments

Victoria Addington

I had no idea that the best way to clean knitwear is to put it in a mesh washing bag. My sister has been intending to get her best friend some knitwear. To ensure that the clothes last a long time, I’ll make sure to let her know this. I’ll look at wholesale knitwear clothing lines that she can check to buy the present. I appreciate you sharing!

https://www.stitchneedle.com/

Anonymous

Hi Cynthia, While we don’t currently have a video, if you search YouTube for how to fold a sunshade, the instructions will work for this. Hope that helps! Please let us know at knit@cocoknits.com if you still have questions.

Cynthia

Hello,

I purchased this kit. However, I am unable to get the pop up dryer back into the original circle. Please show a video on how to twist till you get 3 small circles.

Anonymous

Hi Shari,

We’re so glad you love the kit!

Unfortunately, we don’t currently sell the components separately, but are hoping to later in 2022. Also, Julie says she dried her towel on gentle, and though it doesn’t look the same, it still works to pull the moisture out of her knits. As we mentioned in our response to your email, since the kit comes with two towels (the second with the grid printed on it), we’re hoping that you can use the other towel in your kit in the meantime. Best of luck and feel free to let us know if you have more questions, here or at knit@cocoknits.com.

Shari

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this kit! And I LOVE the Drying Towel … wow … what a difference! Stupid me – I put it in the dryer (despite reading the instructions to hang dry). Is there a way I can purchase a replacement Drying Towel?

Anonymous

Hi Heather! You twist the disk till you get three smaller circles. Once there, you clip the straps to keep it in that smaller disk size and put it back into the storage bag. Hope that helps, but let us know at knit@cocoknits.com if you need more information.

Heather

How did I get the pop-up dryer back in the circle it came in to put away? Thanks!

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