Check knits periodically for loose fibers and use a de-fuzzer to remove balls of pilled fibers from the surface of the knit.
A crotchet needle makes easy work of guiding snagged fibers to the inside of the sweater.
Launder sweater inside out. This helps to reduce friction (and thus wear and tear) to the outside surface during the wash cycle.
Using a wash bag is also a great way to keep knits safe from wear and tear during the machine wash cycle.
Follow laundering instructions for the best results. In general, hand-washing or gentle machine washing with a mild soap is best. Air drying is preferred to keep sweaters from shrinking, or to prevent damage to the fibers.
Store sweaters flat. This keeps them from stretching out of shape, and is particularly important for loosely woven knits.
