- 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.
