Quick answer

Hand wash your Love Story Cardigan in cold water with a gentle detergent, then press the water out and dry it flat on a towel away from heat and sunlight. Skip the washing machine and dryer entirely, because agitation and heat are what shrink cotton pointelle and pull the cropped fit out of shape.

Prep the cardigan before it touches water

Close the snap button so the front edges stay aligned, then turn the cardigan inside out. This protects the LJC logo embroidery at the chest from snagging and keeps the pointelle face from rubbing against itself. Check the care label for any fiber content or temperature guidance the brand added, and treat that label as the final word if it conflicts with anything here.

  • Empty pockets and remove any detachable accessories before washing.
  • If you spot a loose thread, do not pull it. Trim it carefully after the cardigan is fully dry.

Use the right water, detergent, and soak time

Fill a clean basin or sink with cool water, not cold enough to be uncomfortable on your hands. Add a capful of gentle liquid detergent formulated for delicates or wool, and swish it through the water before adding the cardigan. Let it soak for five to ten minutes. Pointelle cotton releases everyday oils and light odors quickly, so a long soak is unnecessary and can weaken the knit over time.

  • Never use chlorine bleach or fabric softener. Softener coats cotton fibers and makes pointelle feel limp.
  • If the cardigan has a stubborn spot, dab a tiny amount of detergent directly on it and wait two minutes before the soak.

Squeeze, do not wring

Lift the cardigan out of the basin and gently squeeze the water out with both hands, working from top to bottom. Do not twist or wring it, because that is the fastest way to stretch the neckline and distort the cropped silhouette. If you need to remove more water, lay the cardigan on a clean dry towel, roll the towel up with the cardigan inside, and press down along the roll.

  • Rinse in cool water until the water runs clear and no suds remain.
  • If you used a towel roll, unroll carefully and support the cardigan with both hands when lifting it.

Dry flat and reshape while damp

Lay the cardigan flat on a mesh drying rack or a fresh dry towel. Smooth the sleeves, align the front edges, and gently pat the body back into its cropped shape while it is still damp. Keep it away from radiators, direct sun, and any heat source, because heat is what causes cotton to shrink and pointelle to pucker. A fan on low speed in a well-ventilated room speeds drying without adding heat.

  • Never hang a wet cardigan on a hanger. The weight of the water will stretch the shoulders and lengthen the body.
  • Turn the cardigan over once halfway through drying so the underside dries evenly.

Store it so the shape holds between wears

Once the cardigan is completely dry, fold it and store it flat in a drawer or on a shelf. Hanging a knit cardigan long-term puts stress on the shoulder seams and can stretch the pointelle open. If you need to travel with it, roll it loosely rather than folding it sharply, and pack it at the top of your bag so nothing heavy presses down on the embroidery.

  • Let the cardigan air out for a few hours after wearing before you fold it away.
  • Rotate your cardigan into a breathable cotton storage bag for seasonal storage, not a sealed plastic bin.

Step-by-step cardigan wash routine

  1. 1. Close and turn inside out: Snap the button closed, then turn the Love Story Cardigan inside out to protect the LJC embroidery and the pointelle face. Checkpoint: the snap is fastened and the embroidered side faces inward.
  2. 2. Soak in cool water with gentle detergent: Use a clean basin of cool water and a capful of delicate detergent. Submerge the cardigan and soak for five to ten minutes. Common mistake: hot water or all-purpose detergent, which dulls the color and stresses cotton fibers.
  3. 3. Squeeze gently, never wring: Lift the cardigan and press the water out with both hands. For more water removal, roll it in a dry towel and press down. Checkpoint: no water drips freely when you lift the cardigan.
  4. 4. Dry flat and reshape while damp: Lay the cardigan on a mesh rack or dry towel, smooth the sleeves and front edges, and pat the body back into its cropped shape. Common mistake: hanging it wet, which stretches the shoulders and lengthens the body.
  5. 5. Fold and store flat: Once fully dry, fold the cardigan and store it flat in a drawer or on a shelf rather than on a hanger. Next step: air it out after each wear so you can go longer between washes.

About the Love Story Cardigan

  • Love Story Cardigan: Crafted from premium cotton pointelle fabric in a cropped and slim fit silhouette, with an easy wear snap button closure and LJC logo embroidery at the chest. The open pointelle structure and slim cut are exactly why machine washing and hanging to dry cause visible distortion. Closing the snap and drying flat keeps the front edges and cropped length aligned.
  • Alpine Knit Beanie: The Alpine Knit Beanie is lined in ultra soft Teddy fabric with a cable knit design and a pompom detail. If you wash cold-weather accessories in the same basin, keep the beanie separate from the cardigan. The Teddy lining sheds fibers that can cling to pointelle cotton.