Quick answer
Hand wash your knit sweater in cool water with a gentle detergent, then lay it flat to dry. Avoid wringing or hanging to prevent stretching.
Why hand washing works best
Knit sweaters are made from interlocking loops of yarn, which can easily stretch or lose shape if handled roughly. Machine washing, even on a delicate cycle, can cause pilling, shrinkage, or distortion. Hand washing gives you full control over water temperature, agitation, and soaking time, which helps preserve the fabric's original texture and fit.
What about cotton-polyester blends?
Many modern knit sweaters, like The Yetee's Number 10 crew-neck, use a cotton-polyester blend (55% cotton, 45% polyester). This combination is lightweight and soft, but it still benefits from gentle care. Polyester resists shrinking and wrinkles, while cotton needs protection from heat and harsh detergents. Hand washing in cool water keeps both fibers happy.
Step-by-step knit sweater care
- 1. Check the care label: Look inside the sweater for manufacturer instructions. While most knit sweaters benefit from hand washing, the label may specify water temperature or drying restrictions. Ignore the label and you risk voiding the warranty or damaging the fabric.
- 2. Fill a basin with cool water: Use a clean sink or tub. Add a small amount of gentle detergent (wool or cashmere wash works, but a mild baby shampoo also does the job). Swirl to dissolve. Hot water can shrink or felt the fibers, so always stick with cool or lukewarm.
- 3. Submerge and gently press: Place the sweater in the water and press it down to soak. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Do not rub, scrub, or twist the fabric, as that causes pilling and stretching. Aggressive handling is the top reason knit sweaters lose their shape.
- 4. Rinse thoroughly: Drain the soapy water and refill with cool, clean water. Gently press the sweater to remove suds. Repeat until no soap remains. Leftover detergent can attract dirt and make the fabric feel stiff.
- 5. Remove excess water without wringing: Lay the sweater on a clean, dry towel. Roll the towel up with the sweater inside and press firmly to absorb moisture. Unroll and repeat with a fresh towel if needed. Wringing or twisting stretches the fibers and can cause permanent misshaping.
- 6. Lay flat to dry: Place the sweater on a drying rack or a second dry towel. Smooth it to its original shape, including the neckline and cuffs. Let it air dry away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Hanging a wet knit sweater will stretch it out, especially at the shoulders.
- 7. Store folded, not hung: Once fully dry, fold the sweater and store it on a shelf or in a drawer. If you must hang it, use a padded hanger and fold the sweater over the bar rather than hanging by the shoulders. Hanging a knit sweater for long periods can create shoulder bumps and stretch the fabric.
Product spotlight
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Number 10: Made from 55% cotton and 45% polyester, this unisex sweater is lightweight and soft with an average weight of 1 lb. The cotton-polyester blend means the sweater is less prone to shrinking than 100% cotton, but you still need to avoid high heat and agitation to keep the soft feel intact.
Number 10
