Knitwear is more than just a cold weather staple; it’s a timeless expression of comfort, craftsmanship, and style. Whether you’re drawn to chunky wool sweaters or refined merino blends, understanding how to care for your knitwear is key to keeping it looking and feeling its best season after season. When taken care of properly, your favourite sweater can turn into an heirloom piece passed down between generations.
Naturally warm, breathable, and sustainable, quality knitwear is the ultimate companion for the winter months. In this guide, we’ll share expert knitwear care tips to help you maintain your favorite pieces and breathe new life into your well-loved knits.
Benefits of Wool
Wool is as eco-friendly as it gets—natural, renewable, and biodegradable. Feel good about your impact on the planet when you're all cozied up in your favourite knitwear. It stays warm yet it's breathable, perfect for all-season wear.
Bonus, it’s hypoallergenic and resistant to odors, meaning your wool knits are fresh and feel great on your skin.
When sourcing our knitwear, the story of the product matters. Our team picks only the highest quality pieces from our favourite brands. This season we've been loving cozy knits from BARE Knitwear, No. 6 and Apiece Apart.
Which Fiber is right for you?
Alpaca Wool is hypoallergenic and less likely to pill due to it's longer fibers. The yarn is hollow, meaning it's lighter, but can still maintain it's warmth. We love it's moisture wicking properties that keep you dry and repel odor.
Classic Wool is naturally warm and water-resistant. It maintains it's shape and structure well over time with proper knit care.
Merino Wool is the lightest of the 3 types of wool. The structure of the knit is smooth making it pill resistant. A great option for a more low maintenance piece in your wardrobe.
Cashmere is known for its exceptional softness and lightweight warmth. Despite its delicate texture, cashmere is durable and naturally breathable, keeping you warm in the cold and cool in mild weather.
Why we love Cashmere
Cashmere is luxuriously soft, lightweight, and naturally insulating — keeping you warm without the bulk. It’s breathable, durable, and gentle on the skin, making it a great layering piece for every season.
Bonus: cashmere is a natural, renewable fiber, so you can feel good about investing in something that’s both timeless and sustainable.
How to Care for your Knits
Fold your knits when storing to maintain their shape.
Wash your knits sparingly and spot clean when needed.
With proper care, knitwear should only need washing once a season. For a quick refresh, mist with a wool garment spray and let it air out—fresh air naturally eliminates bacteria.
For larger, heavier knits such as wool coats, we recommend dry cleaning once a season.
When washing, hand wash with a gentle detergent to preserve softness and shape. Use a delicate, clean formula like Dedcool (a little goes a long way as it’s highly concentrated).
To dry, press out excess water, then roll in a towel and lay flat.
Caring for your clothing can become a calming ritual. Properly using your sweater comb to refresh the natural fibres of your knits is a great way to connect with your garment.
Knitwear Care Tip
It's natural for a sweater to pill over time, no matter the quality of the knit. Higher-quality knits will take longer to pill, because of the length of the yarn used in the production of the piece. For this reason, we are huge fans of our BARE Knitwear Cedar Sweater Comb to care for our knits.
Don't forget to store your BARE Knitwear Cedar Sweater Comb with your garments to help keep pesky moths at bay.
Caring for your knitwear is more than just maintenance, it’s an investment in longevity, quality, and sustainability. When you choose high-quality knits and care for them properly, you not only extend their life but also reduce waste and make a more conscious choice for the planet.
From timeless wool staples to modern alpaca and merino blends, the right knitwear can last for years when treated with care. Visit Hill’s Dry Goods to explore our Fall Knitwear Collection and discover pieces designed to keep you warm for seasons to come.
BARE Knitwear Spotlight
Sweater weather is in full swing and we are so excited to share our love of BARE Knitwear! Is it that obvious?
Founded by Kelsey Adair in 2014, BARE Knitwear embodies Adair's connection to nature and a "less is more" philosophy. Her experience and passion for ethical production brought her to Peru, where she learned traditional craftsmanship and the potential to empower artisan communities. Kelsey takes pride in connecting world-class Peruvian artisans with modern design, ensuring each piece embodies a timeless aesthetic and authentic handmade feel.
