How To Store Your Knitwear

Now that it’s warmer, we’re popping our knitwear into storage to make sure its in peak condition for next Winter. Clothes Doctor provide their expert tips for how to store your knitwear.

With summer fast approaching, there is no better time than now to give your winter wardrobe some much needed TLC before packing it away for Summer hibernation. Before you throw your knitwear to the back of your wardrobe, consider taking the time to sort through, clean, and properly store it. We promise it will save you time and money when Winter rolls on again!

By Clothes Doctor

Sort Your Knits

Start by pulling out the entire contents of your wardrobe. Whilst this may seem counterproductive, it is the best way to remind yourself of the clothes you already own in order to begin organising. You are more than likely holding onto knitwear that is not fit for wearing, for example it may be damaged.

Categorise 

It can be really helpful when sorting your knits to create three piles – keep, repair or alter, and donate. This will ensure nothing slips through the net and back into your wardrobe or storage! It’s important that items you no longer wish to keep are either donated or disposed of responsibly, such as at a textile recycling centre.

Repair or Alter

Now for the important part. Ensure you are getting the most out of your wardrobe and that your favourite knitwear is in ready-to-wear condition for next Winter. If you’ve been neglecting the growing ‘in need of repair’ pile, or the clothes-moth infestation eating into your wardrobe, now is the time to act.

Knitwear is particularly susceptible to moth-related damage, so it’s important to repair holes as soon as possible to prevent them from increasing in size. Darning is a simple technique, which can be quickly learnt without any previous skill or knowledge.

How To Darn Moth Holes

The technique mends a hole in knitwear by interweaving and crossing rows of yarn to close the gap by mimicing the fabric. 

You will need the following equipment: darning needle, yarn that matches the colour and thickness of the knit (we recommend a strong wool-nylon blend yarn to ensure durability), and a darning mushroom (or an equivalent with a rounded side). 

1. Place the darning mushroom under the hole and pull the garment over so that the hole is centred.

2. Sew a few stitches into the undamaged surrounding fabric to secure the thread.

3. Stitch across the hole horizontally starting and ending close to the circle of running stitches.

4. Next weave a series of stitches going perpendicular, working the thread over and under your previous stitches

5. Continue this up and down weaving until you have created a grid that completely covers the hole.

6. Make sure that you leave a long end on the thread when you are finished so that you can weave it into the repair, rather than securing it with a knot. If you would like to secure it with a knot, ensure that you do not pull on the thread or it may end up puckering.

Lovingly Clean

Now that you have selected your favourite garments to keep, and made any necessary repairs, it is important that you give them a clean before packing them away for the Winter. Although your clothes may look clean, you would be surprised at how easily food, hair, or skin particles attached to the surface of the fabric can cause damage if left untreated.

Remember to check care labels before washing, especially as Winter garments such as cashmere may require a specialist cleaning technique. We recommend using our Eco Wash for Cashmere.

Store Away Safely

Now it’s time to restore some order to your wardrobe. Find a suitable place to store your Winter garments – a cool, dry, dark environment with a temperature of between 12-18 degrees is optimum. In addition, the correct folding technique will save space and ensure woollen jumpers don’t stretch out of shape. Empty luggage bags or plastic boxes with lids are perfect for storage. Line these with acid-free tissue paper to protect your garments and add lavender bags or cedar wood balls to keep clothes smelling good (whilst keeping clothes moths at bay!).

Specialist items may require more protection during storage and will therefore need to be stored separately. Consider wrapping delicate items individually in tissue paper or using vacuum sealed storage bags for bulky items.

 

Disclaimer: This piece was created in partnership with Clothes Doctor in anticipation of the ‘Knitwear Clinic’. This post may contain affiliate links.