gant Crewneck Sweater

Care

This is a fine-gauge cotton knit, and it rewards a gentle hand. Wash it cold on a delicates or wool cycle, turned inside out so the face of the fabric is protected from abrasion — that's what keeps the surface smooth and pill-free over time. Use a mild liquid detergent and skip the fabric softener, which coats cotton fibres and dulls the finish. Wash with similar colours, and keep it away from anything with zips or hooks that could pull a stitch.

Never bleach it, and never put it through the dryer. The heat and tumbling will shrink the knit and slacken the ribbing at the collar, cuffs and hem. Instead, press the water out gently without wringing, lay the sweater flat on a towel, reshape it to its proper measurements while it's still damp, and let it air-dry away from direct sun and radiators. Drying flat is the single most important step — hanging a damp cotton knit lets gravity stretch the shoulders and lengthen the body permanently.

If it needs pressing, use a cool iron on the reverse side, or hold a steamer an inch or two away and let the steam relax the fibres. Avoid ironing directly over any embroidery or logo. Between wears, store it folded on a shelf rather than on a hanger, and give it a day's rest before wearing again so the knit can recover its shape. Light pilling on a cotton knit is normal with wear and lifts away easily with a fabric comb or a sweater stone.