Winter is approaching and we all look for warm and cozy knitted mittens, scarfs, sweaters and hats. Knitted garments are very practical and stylish things that almost every woman enjoys wearing during the cold season. Knitted fabric is breathable, hygroscopic and crease-resistant. Due to these properties many people opt for knitted garments, which don’t constrain our movements and keep us warm longer than other clothes.

However, without proper care knits won’t look beautiful. Don’t get disappointed if you see that your favorite pullover lost its bright tint or became too loose. With these tips on how to take care of knitted garments your knits will last for years!

1. Read the label

This is the very first thing you should do when you buy knitted clothes. Labels provide you with specific information and instructions on how to clean, dry and iron the garment. Labels are just a boon if you want to take the best care of a particular thing. If there’s no label or if you were presented with a knitted garment, you can always consult a yarn seller or use the label of the similar piece of clothing.

2. Wash

You should wash your knitted garments separately from all the other clothes without presoaking. Opt for cleansers intended specifically for washing knitted garments. They don’t contain bleaches, but they care for yarn. If you hand wash your clothes, never add the cleanser straight to the fabric since you can easily mar the color and texture. I prefer machine washing with a sparing mode and low temperatures. Whether you opt for hand or machine washing, make sure you rinse the knitted clothes thoroughly afterwards. While rinsing you remove the residues of washing-up liquid and prevent static electricity.

3. Let it dry

Shrinkage and stretching are two common problems that occur to natural fabrics due to improper drying. Never put your knitted garment in the dryer. Let it air dry. Sometimes I place the wet knitted garment between two towels, which quickly absorb the excess moisture as well. Don’t hang your knitted garments, if you want them to last for many years to come.

4. Store your knitted items correctly

A dark shelf of your wardrobe is the best place for storing knitted clothes. Put special packages with moisture absorbing and smell granules between the layers. Lavender and cedar are used to keep the knits fresh and to prevent insect breeding. If you want to prevent your garments from getting out of shape, never use hangers. You should also forget about zippered or sealed bags.

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5. Pellets

You can hardly avoid the formation of pallets even if you stick to all the rules and precautions. In case your garment is made of synthetic materials or has some twirled threads, pellets are inevitable. However, you can easily renovate the original image of the clothes with the help of special machine or shaving machine. Stretch the garment on a smooth, flat surface and move the machine top-down. I do it regularly and my knits always look new and well-groomed.

6. Blocking

Blocking helps to return and save the original form of the knitted product by changing the weave structure. It’s not about alternation since no mechanical processing is involved. When done wisely, blocking can increase or reduce the knit to half size! Blocking technique requires skill and experience that’s why address to the professional to perform the procedure.

7. Knit repair and restoration

Whenever you notice a tiny hole on your lovely sweater, don’t get disappointed! You can easily darn it or re-knit it. You can do it yourself or consult a knitwear specialist who will do the job for a reasonable price. Dyeing is another great way to change or renew the knitted garments. But this process must be performed by a professional only.

Take a proper care of your knitted garments and they will serve you much longer than you think. But if your knitted clothes are damaged or look a bit shabby, don’t hurry to throw them away! With a little patience and desire you can easily bring your favorite things to life! Do you have any other tips for caring for knitted garments?