How to Care for Your Hand-Knitted Pieces
After spending hours carefully crafting a beautiful hand-knitted piece, the last thing you want is for it to wear out, shrink, or lose its shape after just a few washes.
Fortunately, with the right care, your hand-knitted garments can last for years, becoming beloved staples in your wardrobe—or even heirlooms to pass down.
Taking a little extra time to properly care for your knits ensures they remain as soft, cozy, and beautiful as the day you finished them.
Choosing the Right Yarn for Longevity
Caring for your hand-knitted garments starts long before they’re off the needles. Choosing the right yarn plays a huge role in how easy—or difficult—it will be to maintain your finished piece.
Yarn Material Matters
Natural fibers like wool, cotton, and alpaca are often more durable than synthetic options but require specific care.
For instance, wool is known for its warmth and elasticity, but it’s also more prone to shrinking if not washed correctly. Cotton, on the other hand, is breathable and sturdy but can stretch if not handled properly. Acrylics can be notorious for pilling.
Washable vs. Hand-Wash-Only Yarns
Some yarns, like superwash wool, are treated to be machine washable, making them more convenient for items that need frequent washing, like socks or baby blankets.
However, many luxury yarns—like alpaca or untreated wool—require gentle, hands-on care. It’s always worth checking the yarn label for care instructions before starting your project.
Tip: When knitting items that will be worn or washed frequently, like sweaters, consider how much maintenance you’re willing to put in. Superwash wool or blends with cotton may be easier to care for compared to more delicate fibers.
Washing Your Hand-Knitted Pieces
Washing your hand-knitted garments is one of the most important aspects of keeping them looking their best. While the idea of hand-washing might sound daunting, it’s a simple process once you get the hang of it.
Hand-Washing vs. Machine Washing
- Hand-Washing: This is often the safest method for most hand-knitted pieces, especially those made from delicate or untreated fibers like wool, alpaca, or cashmere. Hand-washing not only helps preserve the fabric’s integrity but also avoids shrinkage and felting.Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
- Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a wool-friendly detergent (like a wool wash or mild soap).
- Submerge the garment and gently agitate it to release any dirt or grime.
- Let the garment soak for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly with cool water until all soap is removed.
- Gently press out excess water by rolling the garment in a towel—never wring it out, as this can distort the shape.
- Machine Washing: If you’re working with yarns like superwash wool or durable cotton, machine washing on a delicate cycle may be appropriate. However, always place your knitted item in a mesh laundry bag to protect it from getting stretched or snagged during the wash cycle.
- Avoiding Shrinkage and Felting: Wool fibers, especially untreated ones, can shrink or felt if exposed to hot water and excessive agitation. Always use lukewarm water and gentle movements to avoid damaging your piece.
Drying and Blocking
Once washed, drying your hand-knitted pieces correctly is just as important as washing them. Improper drying can cause your garments to stretch, shrink, or lose their shape entirely.
Laying Flat to Dry
Never hang a hand-knitted garment to dry, as this can lead to stretching. Instead, always lay your piece flat on a clean, dry towel or a mesh drying rack. This prevents gravity from pulling on the wet fibers, which could cause the garment to lose its shape.
Blocking: A Key Step to Maintaining Shape
Blocking is a process that helps reshape and even out your stitches after washing, ensuring your knitted piece dries in the correct dimensions.
Here’s a simple guide to blocking:
- After washing, lay your garment on a dry towel or blocking mat.
- Gently reshape the piece to its intended size, smoothing out any wrinkles or uneven stitches.
- For more delicate pieces, like lacework, pin the edges to help maintain the design and shape.
- Allow the garment to air dry completely before wearing or storing.
For acrylic yarns, which don’t block as naturally as wool, steam blocking can help set the shape. Simply hold a steam iron above the fabric, without touching it directly, and let the steam gently relax the fibers.
Avoiding Heat Damage
It’s important to keep your hand-knitted garments away from heat sources like direct sunlight, radiators, or tumble dryers. Excessive heat can warp or shrink fibers, so always air-dry your knits naturally.
Storing Your Knitted Pieces
Proper storage is essential to keeping your hand-knitted items looking fresh and new, especially if you’re packing them away for a season.
Folding vs. Hanging
Always fold your hand-knitted garments to prevent stretching, especially heavier items like sweaters. If you’re storing larger pieces, like blankets or shawls, lay them flat in a drawer or storage box to keep their shape.
Moth Prevention
Natural fibers, particularly wool, are attractive to moths.
To protect your knits, store them in airtight containers or use breathable garment bags. For added protection, try natural moth repellents like cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or rosemary, which not only keep pests away but also leave a pleasant scent.
Seasonal Storage Tips
Before storing your hand-knitted pieces for the off-season, make sure they’re clean, as moths are more attracted to fabrics with dirt or body oils. Once clean, store them in a cool, dry place to avoid moisture buildup, which can lead to mildew.
Repairing and Refreshing Your Knits
Even with the best care, hand-knitted items can sometimes show signs of wear. Fortunately, you can easily repair and refresh your knits to keep them looking great.
Mending Small Holes
If you spot a small hole or snag, don’t panic!
You can repair it using techniques like darning or duplicate stitching. Darning involves weaving new yarn into the hole to close it up, while duplicate stitching can cover up loose or broken stitches.
Dealing with Pilling
Pilling, or the formation of small fuzz balls on the surface of your garment, is common in many yarns, especially wool and acrylics.
Luckily, it’s easy to fix. Use a sweater comb or an electric fabric shaver to gently remove pills, leaving your garment looking smooth and fresh.
Refreshing Old Knits
If your older knits are starting to look a little tired, a gentle wash and block can breathe new life into them. For woolen items, using a lanolin-rich wool wash can soften the fibers and restore some of their original luster.
Caring for Your Hand Knits
Caring for your hand-knitted pieces doesn’t have to be complicated.
By taking a few extra steps—choosing the right yarn, washing gently, drying properly, and storing with care—you can preserve your knitted creations for years to come. These simple habits will help your hand-knit treasures remain as beautiful and cozy as when you first made them, honoring the time and love you put into each stitch.
Do you have any tips or tricks for keeping your knits in top shape?
