Sweater weather!
Well at last sweater weather is here in full swing and I am making myself cosy in all things knitted.
The weather is cool and crisp and it’s the perfect time to showcase your knitwear while still only requiring a light jacket. I’ve got a few simple pieces I take out of the wardrobe year after year and one thing that is super important when it comes to your knits is taking good care of them.
You can invest in the basic knitwear pieces that every wardrobe should have and spend a little bit more because with the right care, knitwear is very durable and will stand the test of time.
One thing you need to focus on is getting the material right. Natural fibres such as wool and cashmere while costing that little bit more, they do feel lovely and soft against the skin, and you can avoid that horrible scratchy jumper feeling. Wool and cashmere are also going to deliver top tier warmth and cosiness.
Polyester knitwear can be very prone to piling so your knits are going to look more worn sooner but a blend of natural fibres with polyester can be a good pocket friendly alternative to 100% cashmere or wool.
I also love a cable knit style as it’s quite robust and it’s also a classic style that never dates. Wool also has the bonus of having a natural spring to it so it will go back to its original shape easily and avoid that baggy, saggy old knit feel. If you are on a budget, then I would really recommend looking for pure wool garments second hand. You can pick up some gorgeous wool pieces that look good as new and won’t break the bank.
Taking care of your wool is essential and firstly, whenever I’m thinking of making a purchase, I look at that care label. What are the specifics and if it requires fiddly washing and drying can you commit to that? I think we’ve all been there when we’ve washed a new garment, haven’t paid attention to the care label and have ended up with clothing that wouldn’t even fit an infant. It’s devastating; okay slight exaggeration but it is very annoying.
I would always tend to hand wash my knitwear but if the label allows then I would pop it into a pillowcase and do a gentle cool wash. Never wring out your knit as this will make it mishappen but instead gently squeeze and then dry flay where possible. Knitwear does not react well to hanging on a line by pegs as it can really stretch it. Ideally you want to be washing knitwear less often and unless it’s absolutely filthy you don’t need to wash after every wear.
Storage is also very important and the key to getting longevity out of your jumpers and cardies. Always fold and never hang as again the hangers can lead to a stretch in the knitwear. Instead dedicate a shelf in the wardrobe where you can fold and store knits. Take time to address loose threads and either carefully snip them or with a needle you can pull them through to the other side.
The same goes for pilling of bobbling which is a pet peeve of mine. I absolutely hate when this happens, but you can remedy it by using a special shaver or fabric comb taking great care not to damage the wool. In the summer months I store my knitwear in airtight bags ready to re-emerge in the winter in pristine condition.