You can spend weeks, or months, or even years knitting a sweater.
So once it’s finally off the needles, it deserves a little care.
A hand knit that’s properly washed, carefully maintained, and correctly stored can last decades.
The good news is that taking care of your knits doesn’t take much.
A few good tools go a long way.
Sweater Care Tools We Love
These are the tools we reach for to keep our hand knits looking good.
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BEAUTURAL Fabric Shaver
Battery powered | 2 speeds, 3 shaving heights, 2 spare blades
My favorite way to get rid of pills. I have one and use it all the time. Just go easy over cables and textured stitches.
Get it at Amazon -
Eucalan Fine Fabric Wash
3.3 oz, eucalyptus scent | Contains lanolin
A gentle wool wash you don't have to rinse out. The natural lanolin oil helps to recondition your fibers, relaxing the fabric and extending its life.
Get it at Amazon -
OXO Good Grips Folding Sweater Dryer
Mesh drying surface | Stackable, folds flat for storage
Most hand knits should dry flat. This mesh rack holds a whole sweater, then folds up and tucks away when you're done.
Get it at Amazon -
Cedar and Lavender Sachets by Professor Killamoth
20 sachets | Cedar chips and dried lavender
Cedar and lavender both help keep moths away. Tuck these into a drawer or box with your sweaters, where the scent can build up.
Get it at Amazon -
Suede Leather Elbow Patches
Pair of 2, 4.75 x 6.5 in | Natural suede leather, pre-punched holes
Real suede leather with the holes already punched. Wore through the elbows of your favorite sweater? Sew these on and keep wearing it.
Get it at Amazon -
Vacbird Vacuum Storage Bags
9 bags in 3 sizes | Rechargeable cordless pump
Wash your sweaters, seal them in, and let the cordless pump squeeze out the air. The airtight bags keep moths out and free up closet space.
Get it at Amazon
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Conclusion
I had a lambswool sweater from Poland that got so much wear the elbows went through twice.
I patched them both times, because that sweater was too good to give up on.
That’s really what taking care of your knits is about.
You get to keep wearing the things you love.
But what do you think?
How do you take care of your hand knits?