If you have spent a lot of time and money creating your knitted sweater, you will want to be sure it is cared for properly so that it will last. The ball band on the yarn often has care instructions, so make sure that you note this information for the future – you could maybe take a photo of it with your phone or tablet. It’s not necessary to wash a sweater every time you wear it – if it’s not dirty but just has a slight odour, allow it to air for a few hours either hung up or laid flat on a towel, before putting it way.
It’s usually best to hand-wash your hand-knitted sweaters. Keep dark and light colours separate, just in case colours do run when wet. Use warm water and mix it with a gentle detergent. Submerge the sweater and soak it for 10–15 minutes. Carefully rinse in warm water, then press out or squeeze to remove as much water as possible. Place the sweater flat on a dry towel, pulling it gently back into shape if necessary. Keep it away from sunlight and let it air dry at room temperature. Make sure the sweater is completely dry before putting it away.
Modern yarns – even wool – often have special finishes to make them machine-washable. If you are not sure, try machine-washing your tension (gauge) swatch first to see how it survives.
Store your sweaters folded neatly on a shelf or in a large drawer – it’s not a good idea to hang them up for long periods, as the fabric will stretch over time.