It’s sweater weather and time to dig out all of those cozy knits. If your sweaters need a little TLC here are some tips and tricks to help refresh your sweaters.
One way to be sustainable is to get the most use out of the clothes you already own. Let’s talk about sweater care.
Most sweaters are recommended to be hand washed. Hand washing will not only help your sweater last longer, but it also helps the fabric stay in good shape. You can fill your sink, tub, or a bucket with cool water and add some gentle laundry detergent. Let it soak for about 30 minutes fully submerged, then rinse and remember not to wring or twist your sweater. I mostly wash my sweaters on a cold, delicate or gentle cycle. I lay everything flat to dry or tumble dry it on low.
I recommend not hanging your sweater, if possible, because gravity will stretch out the shape. Be mindful when wearing jewelry as this can sometimes snag your delicate knits.
If you do get a snag, there is a cool little tool that can grab any snag. It will have
your sweater looks brand new. It’s called the Snag Nab- it. I recently discovered this needle, and it really works. It repairs snags on knits and woven fabrics. It looks like a needle with a point on one end and grooves on the other. It can get rid of any snag in seconds.
One tool that has been in my care kit for years is a fabric shaver. I can remember as a teenager my mom owning one. A fabric shaver is great for removing fuzz, lint & pilling. Try to find one with different distance settings that can be used to remove pilling from multiple different knits. Anything from thick and chunky to lighter delicate knits. You can use a fabric shaver on more than just sweaters, and it’s great for shaving larger areas.
A sweater comb or cashmere comb is also great for removing fuzz, especially from more delicate fabrics that are more prone to pilling.
Mending holes, there is nothing worse than pulling out your favorite sweater and discovering it has a hole. If you have a finer knit sweater, you can use a needle and thread to mend it. You’re going to want to thread your needle (preferably a ball point needle) with a matching thread. Put your needle through each little loop and weave your needle in and out until you go all around the hole in a circle. Next take the end of your thread and gently pull on it to bring the hole together. Once you gather the fabric together in a way that you like, stitch over the area back and forth to close up the hole. When done gently tug on the fabric so that the fabric isn’t too pinched and tie off your thread.
If you have a chunkier knit, you can use a yarn needle and embroidery floss. Repeat the same process to mend the hole. I hope these tips can help you keep your favorite sweaters in rotation for many more years to come. Keep these care tips in mind while thrifting. These tricks can help you rescue a forgotten sweater in need of a little extra love.
Stay thrifty friends!
~ Taylor S.