Do you even need to wash it yet?

Probably less often than you think. Knit doesn't need a wash after every wear. If it doesn't smell and there's no stain, hang it over a chair by an open window overnight and it's fresh again.

Got a small spot? Dab it with cold water and a drop of wool detergent. Dab, don't rub. Rubbing turns a spot into a fuzzy spot.

Washing it by hand

This is the gentlest way and honestly not much work.

1. Zip it up and turn it inside out. A closed zip can't catch on the knit, and inside out protects the pattern side.
2. Fill a sink or big bowl with cold water and add a little wool detergent. Normal detergent is too harsh for wool.
3. Push it under and gently squeeze it through the water for a few minutes. No scrubbing.
4. Rinse in fresh cold water the same way, until there's no foam left.
5. Press the water out with your hands. Don't wring it. Twisting wet knit is exactly how it loses its shape.

Washing it in the machine

If your machine has a wool program, that works too. Same rules: cold, inside out, zip closed, wool detergent. If you've got a laundry bag, put it in there, and turn the spin down as low as your machine allows.

Please don't wash it on a normal cotton cycle “just this once”. That's the one that shrinks things.

Drying: the bit that actually matters

Lay a big towel flat, put the cardigan on it, roll the whole thing up and press down. The towel soaks up most of the water.

Then lay it flat on a dry towel or a drying rack and gently pull it back into shape: shoulders straight, sleeves out, hem even. Leave it. Flip it once if you remember.

Don't hang it while it's wet. Wet knit is heavy and the weight pulls it down, mostly at the shoulders. And no tumble dryer, no radiator, no drying it in full sun. I know it takes a day. It's worth it.

Little bobbles (pilling)

Where your bag strap rubs or under the arms, a knit that gets worn a lot can get small bobbles. That's normal for knitwear. A fabric shaver or a knit comb takes them off in a minute. Don't pull them off with your fingers, you'll pull the yarn out with them.

Rings and bag zips are the other thing to watch. Jacquard has yarn running along the inside, and sharp edges can snag it.

Putting it away for summer

Wash it before you put it away, then fold it. Don't keep knits on hangers for months, you get those pointy bumps in the shoulders and it slowly stretches.

“Hand wash cold or use the wool program on your machine, then lay it flat to dry. No tumble dryer. That keeps it soft and in shape for years.”

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