How to Care for Handmade Knitwear: The Complete Guide

Wash your knitwear in the washing machine, dry it flat on a towel away from direct heat, store it folded, and remove pilling gently with scissors or a lint shaver. Done right, a quality handmade knit lasts for years.

Washing

The safest way to wash your handmade knit is in the washing machine, b. The bag protects the piece from rubbing and pulling during the wash. Choose the wool or delicates program, use cold water, and set the spin to a low option. Add a small amount of wool-safe detergent, nothing else.

When the wash is done, don't hang your knit to dry. The weight of the water will pull it out of shape. Lay it flat on a clean, dry towel, shape it back to how it should look, and let it dry on its own. Keep it away from direct sun and heaters.

How often should you wash it? Much less than you think. If you wear your knit over other clothes, it only needs washing every several wears. Letting it air out overnight keeps it fresh between washes.

Storing

Always fold: hangers deform the shoulders of heavy knits. For seasonal storage, wash first, fold with a cedar block or lavender sachet, and use a breathable cotton bag rather than plastic.

Pilling

Small bobbles are natural on any handmade wool knit. They are simply loose wool fibres coming to the surface. The best habit is to care for your knit a little every time you wear it, instead of letting pilling build up. A quick check after each wear keeps the piece looking new for years.

You can remove pills easily with simple scissors, carefully cutting them off one by one. We show you exactly how in this video. A lint shaver on the lowest setting also works well, moving gently in one direction. Ask us and we are happy to share the one we also use at our quality control desk before packing any order.

Pilling reduces a lot after the first few wears and washes, so with a little regular care your knit will only get better with time.

Repairs

One of the quiet superpowers of hand-knitted garments: they can be repaired stitch by stitch. A simple snag should never be cut; ease the loop back through to the inside.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ever machine-wash a hand-knit? Yes. In fact, it's what we recommend. Put your knit inside a mesh laundry bag, choose the wool or delicates program, use cold water, and set the spin to the lowest option. Used this way, the machine washes your knit gently and safely.

Does chunky yarn need different care? The rules are the same, but chunky knits hold more water after washing. Be extra patient with flat drying, and always support the full weight of the piece when moving it wet, so it doesn't stretch.

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