For many, it comes as a shock when they discover holes in their favorite cashmere sweater. If they’re present in a small cluster, irregularly, there’s a lot to suggest it’s the work of those nasty yellow-brown bastards that hide in cupboards during the day and swarm around the lights at night like moths do. But sharp-edged bracelets and watches are also a danger for fine cashmere pieces, they quickly tear a large hole in the fabric that can no longer be plugged so easily.
But worse things can happen to cashmere fans. Even if no one wants to admit it, it has happened to almost everyone that the sweater has shrunk to a matted mini sweater during the wash. Washed too hot, just happens. But very few can bear this with composure. Some are close to tears when they pull the felted doll part out of the drum. Others defiantly claim they will never wear cashmere again. Or think: “But the water wasn’t that hot, it cools down over time!”
Worn only once and small knots are already developing
You shouldn’t wash your cashmere sweater too often anyway. As a rule, it is sufficient to air it out on the balcony overnight. If washing is necessary, then it is important to wash it as briefly as possible and at a low temperature, preferably cold. And: when machine washing, use a low speed, when washing by hand do not wring out the sweater, but carefully squeeze it out and lay it on a towel to dry. Otherwise it can lose its shape. If the sweater is too short, you can hang it on a hanger. It also depends on a gentle detergent: We recommend liquid wool or delicate detergent – or hair shampoo.
But friends of fine goat hair know this too: Worn only once and small knots are already developing on the sweater. Unfortunately, this cannot be avoided – and is extremely difficult to fix. People with the ability for Buddhist serenity pull off the loose hairs one by one by hand, the more impatient use a cashmere comb. Both methods are cumbersome, but effective. After that, the sweater looks like new again. A lint razor, on the other hand, is not recommended. Because this can easily tear holes in the mesh, against which moth bites appear harmless.
You can also stand by it: Designers like Rick Owens show knitted parts with holes that are reminiscent of spider webs.
(Photo: Katharina Wetzel)
And now to the most important question: How does the sweater stay really fluffy? Smooth knitted parts straighten their hairs particularly well if you gently steam them with the iron (don’t touch it, just hold it over it!). Coarse knits can also be placed damp in a freezer bag in the freezer for one to two hours and then laid flat to dry. Freezing the sweater for longer will kill the moth eggs and larvae.
But if the holes are already in the sweater, then there is only one thing left: put the lavender in the closet and wear it with composure. Many designers have shown jumpers full of holes or ladders, or sent their models down the catwalk in knitwear reminiscent of spider webs that reach to the floor. So why not indulge in the clochard look?
The author quickly has a hole in the sleeve in sweaters – mostly on the left elbow.
(Photo: Bernd Schifferdecker (Illustration))