Natural Sweater Care

carmellarayone.com

It’s only a sweater. Maybe it is. But maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s a story of wool and harvest and dye and spinning and weaving, and finally, a garment. Maybe it’s you, with your particular body and your particular preference, and your particular need for that particular thing. But there’s space and distance and you have to find it, and it has to find you. The searching and trying and time. The searching and trying and time, again (and again?), an investment of one kind. Then, you pause, pay attention, and choose. An investment of another. 

And maybe because you took the time to care about the purchase, you find yourself wanting to care about the purchase. It’s only a sweater. But maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s a story of wool and harvest and dye and spinning and weaving, and finally, a garment. Maybe it’s provenance. And you’re the caretaker, pouring suds formulated to nourish fine wool fibers into cool water for hand-washing - in a basin, or a machine. Rolling in a towel instead of wringing with your hands. Laying it flat to dry. Then, caring one step more: combing and brushing. Not every time, but every time it needs. Shearing the pilled fibers off, keeping the yarn soft and pure. Keeping the garment, keeping the story.

It’s only a sweater. But maybe it’s not.

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My favorite natural fibers for sweaters? Cashmere, merino, alpaca, linen, silk, and cotton. I tend to go for a soft hand and beautiful drape. 

Need natural wool care solutions?

The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo

Eucalan No-Rinse Delicate Wash

The Laundress Sweater Comb

Burstenhaus Redecker Cashmere Brush