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how to

Take Care of Wool

Few natural fabrics combine performance, personality, versatility, and—we might even say—lovability the way wool does. For maximum results, though, wool does require a little TLC. Here are the basics:

Wash gently. Start by referring to the garment label for instructions. Consider using a wool detergent, which doesn’t extract the fabric’s natural oils the way a harsher detergent will. Hand-wash by soaking the garment in cool water for ten minutes, then rinsing in warm water. Otherwise, a gentle machine wash is often best. (If you go this route, remember to reshape the garment by hand after removing it from the wash.)

Dry carefully. Do not tumble-dry the garment, as heat causes shrinking. And do not wring it out, as this affects the shape. Instead, take the wet garment, roll it up in a towel, and press firmly on it. With the excess water removed, lay it out on a fresh towel to dry—in the sunshine if you can.

Address holes immediately. They’ll only get bigger otherwise. Do it yourself, using a hooked needle, or bring the garment to a professional.

Store smartly. Fold sweaters, don’t hang them: this will cause stretching and the garment will lose its shape. Remember that bugs and moths eat wool—they have good taste!—so don’t make things easier for them by storing wool against a wall, especially in an old house. These wool-eaters are also drawn to stains and sweat, so it’s a good idea to clean your woolens before putting them away for the season. And when you do store them, whether for a few weeks or all of summer, make sure it’s in a cool, dry place.

Our Donegal Tweed Crew Sweater features a classic crewneck style, a tonal embroidered GANT shield on the chest and ribbing on the cuffs and hem. Style side note: Donegal tweed, as originally woven in County Donegal in Ireland, is characterized by its colorful flecks, which are randomly distributed across a garment.