Knitwear, whether made from wool, cashmere or other delicate materials, requires special care to maintain its quality and appearance over time. Although they are synonymous with comfort and warmth, they are often subject to premature wear, with the appearance of pilling, pulled threads or even small holes. Fortunately, it's possible to extend the life of your favorite pieces with the right gestures and professional repairs.
At Tilli, our specialized makers are at your service to maintain and repair your knitwear with expert craftsmanship. We offer durable, aesthetic and material-friendly solutions to bring your sweaters, cardigans, vests and other woollen garments back to life. What's more, as a repairer approved by the Bonus Réparation scheme, we offer you discounts ranging from €6 to €25 depending on the nature of the repair, so that preserving your garments is not only an ecological gesture, but also an economical one.
Here are our tips and techniques for caring for your knitwear, and how Tilli can repair them efficiently so they last for many seasons.
Even with the utmost care, your knitwear can sometimes suffer damage over time. Holes, pulled threads, or wear on elbows and collars are common problems. It's crucial to act quickly to prevent these small defects from worsening. This is where the expertise of Tilli makers comes in.
As an approved Repair Bonus repairer, we allow you to benefit from a discount ranging from €6 to €25 on the cost of your repairs. Our makers master specialized techniques to professionally restore your knitwear:
Invisible mending:
This technique involves closing up small holes or rips / tears by re-stitching wool threads discreetly and harmoniously. Our makers use matching threads for an almost invisible repair, preserving the garment's original appearance.
Re-knitting:
For more extensive damage, particularly when stitches are lost, we can reconstruct the missing parts. Re-knitting is a delicate process that requires great expertise, but it allows your garments to be given a second lease of life without compromising their original quality.
Creative embroidery:
If you want to turn a repair into a personalization opportunity, our makers also offer creative embroidery to camouflage damaged areas. You can choose patterns or initials to add a unique touch to your sweater while repairing it.
Fitting elbow pads:
Sweater elbows are often subject to wear and tear, especially if the sweater is worn frequently. Our makers can fit elbow pads in leather or matching fabric to not only repair the wear, but also add a stylish, long-lasting touch to your garment.
By intervening quickly with the right solutions, our Tilli makers ensure that your knitwear lasts longer and looks impeccable again.
Over time, even the best-quality knitwear can start to pellet. Pilling is the formation of small balls of fiber on the surface of a garment due to repetitive rubbing. They make sweaters look worn and unkempt, but there are solutions to restore your garments to their former glory.
Our makers recommend the use of pilling combs or fabric razors to gently remove these little growths without damaging the fibers. The process is simple, but it's essential to proceed with care to avoid pulling the threads out of the knitwear and creating holes.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this, you can entrust your knitted garments to our Tilli makers, who have the right equipment to carry out this operation safely. With this extra care, your knitted sweaters and cardigans will look neat and almost as good as new.
One of the most important steps in the care of knitwear is washing. Incorrect treatment can cause shrinkage, deformation or even destruction of the material. That's why it's essential to know how to preserve the quality of your wool sweaters, cashmere cardigans and other delicate garments.
Our makers recommend washing your knitwear by hand or, if you use a machine, following these golden rules:
Turn garment inside out:
This helps protect delicate fibers from rubbing during washing.
Use a washing net or pillowcase:
Slip the garment into a protector to prevent the stitches from pulling or the sweater from snagging on other garments.
Choose the wool program on your washing machine:
Be sure to lower the temperature to 0°C and set the spin at 500 rpm maximum to keep it gentle on your knitwear.
Use a special wool detergent:
Conventional detergents can contain aggressive products that damage natural fibers like wool and cashmere. Choose a specific detergent to respect the nature of the fabric, and never use fabric softener.
If your knitwear is marked "dry clean only", it is imperative to follow this instruction. Inappropriate washing could cause irreparable damage to your garment. Please note that a good washing routine will help preserve the color and shape of your garments, while keeping them soft and comfortable.
Drying is another delicate stage not to be neglected. Mesh garments should never be hung up or put in the dryer, as they may warp or shrink. To keep their original shape and extend their life, here's how our makers advise you to dry your knitwear:
Lay flat:
Once washed, lay the sweater or cardigan flat on a clean towel to absorb moisture. This technique prevents the garment from stretching under its own weight, as it often does when hanging on a hanger.
Change sides regularly:
Turn the garment inside out so that both sides dry evenly. This preserves the shape of the sweater and prevents the appearance of permanent creases.
Dry away from the sun:
Direct exposure to UV rays can damage natural fibers and cause colors to fade. It's therefore best to dry your wool pieces in a shady, well-ventilated area.
These simple but essential steps will ensure that your knitwear retains its original shape and texture for many years to come.
Proper storage plays a major role in the durability of knitwear. Unlike ordinary garments, your woollen jumpers and cardigans should never be hung up, as this can lead to stretching, particularly in the shoulders.
Here are a few tips for optimum storage:
Fold your knitwear:
Don't hang them up. Fold them carefully and place them in a clean wardrobe, away from moisture.
Use natural anti-moth products:
Moths love natural fibres like wool. To protect your clothes, place cedar wood balls or lavender sachets in your drawers or wardrobe. These natural solutions repel moths while adding a pleasant scent to your wardrobe.
By ensuring that your clothes are properly stored, you can avoid not only warping but also moth attacks, which can seriously damage your knitwear.
Taking care of your knitwear is essential to extend its life and preserve its quality. By adopting the right gestures for washing, drying, storage and care, you can ensure that your favorite pieces stand the test of time. And when repairs are needed, Tilli makers are on hand to offer a tailor-made repair service, using professional and aesthetic techniques.
Don't forget that you can take advantage of the Repair Bonus, which allows you to have your garments repaired at reduced rates. Thanks to Tilli, your knitwear will be restored to its former glory, so you can wear it for a long time to come.