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Embrace Natural Materials: Knitwear and Care Tips for Timeless Fashion

Here at Luella, we are always looking for ways to evolve and improve, turning to natural material solutions to create our products. Today, we want to share with you the exciting journey of our venture into sourcing more natural materials, such as mohair and alpaca, for our clothing. Not only do these fibres offer incredible comfort and style, but they also align with our commitment to ethical sourcing. We believe that by choosing natural materials, we can promote a more conscious and responsible approach to our collections. So, let's dive into the world of nature-inspired fashion and learn how to care for your knitwear to ensure its longevity.

Mohair and alpaca  

Mohair and Alpaca fibres offer a myriad of benefits that make them perfect choices for stylish and comfortable knitwear.

What is Mohair yarn?

Mohair is a beautiful natural yarn, perfect for providing exceptional insulation and warmth. Mohair comes from the fleece of Angora goats and is both strong and resilient, requiring minimal maintenance. At Luella, we employ mohair yarn to create some of our knitwear collections, like the Eliza Jumpers. The unique naturally crimped fibres of mohair add bounce and elasticity to the fabric, which enhances its durability, hence, you get a long-lasting product.

What is Alpaca yarn?

Alpaca yarn is a versatile material that can produce a variety of products such as jumpers, scarves, hats and knitwear dresses such as the Molly dress. Alpacas produce soft, fine fleeces. The wool has become increasingly easier to source from farmers in the UK. Luella uses Alpaca yarn to create lightweight, warm, and durable knitwear products that give superior warmth and comfort, perfect for the winter months.

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Tips for Caring for Your Knitwear

To ensure that your cherished knitwear lasts for years to come, it's important to provide it with proper care and attention. Here are some essential tips to keep your Luella knitwear garments in excellent condition:

Gentle Handwashing

Handwashing is the ideal method for maintaining the integrity of these natural fibres. Use lukewarm water and a gentle detergent specifically designed for delicate fabrics. Avoid wringing or twisting your knitwear; instead, gently squeeze out excess water and lay it flat to dry. Luella would recommend using a washing product that is made with knitwear in mind, such as www.totalwardrobecare.co.uk

 

Storage

Store your knitwear folded to prevent stretching or hanging threads. To avoid attracting moths, place cedar balls or lavender sachets in your wardrobe. Remember to choose a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. If you’re storing your cashmere knitwear away for the summer, you should invest in some zip-up storage bags, and keep it in one. Moths are repelled by some scents such as lavender, rosemary and cloves, and you can also buy synthetic sprays that moths avoid.

 

Dealing with pills

Pilling is where you see little rice-sized bobbles on wool on the surface of woollens. It is caused by the fibres twisting and tangling on themselves, and if left untreated, it will only get worse as more fibres become entrapped in the tangle.

An effective way to stop pilling is to not wear your jumper day after day. If two fibres twist together (and that’s how every bobble starts), they will often unbind themselves if simply left to relax for a day or two, something that is unlikely to happen if you’re wearing the garment. Another preventative measure is to avoid wearing things over your cashmere, as rubbing from other fabrics can cause twists.

However, when pilling does happen, it’s important that you try and remove the bobbles as soon as possible to stop them from accumulating more fibres. For this, you should use a pilling comb, which takes off the offending fibres without tugging away at perfectly good wool that’s still part of your garment. Find out more about pilling and how to deal with it here.

Air it out 

Give your knitwear a breather between wears. Hang your garment in a well-ventilated area to allow any odours to dissipate naturally.

Professional care

If you're unsure about caring for your knitwear or dealing with stubborn stains, seek professional dry-cleaning services that specialise in natural fibres. They'll have the expertise to handle delicate garments effectively.

By investing in quality knitwear, you're embracing timeless fashion that transcends from season to season. These natural fibres are not only durable but also age gracefully, becoming more beautiful and softer over time. With proper care, your favourite knitwear will remain the epitome of elegance for years to come.

At Luella, we are proud to embark on a journey towards sustainable and ethical fashion. By sourcing natural materials like mohair and alpaca, we aim to offer both style and comfort while staying true to our commitment to the environment and the well-being of animals. Remember, by following our care tips, you can ensure that your knitwear stays in excellent condition, allowing you to enjoy its beauty and warmth for many years ahead. Embrace nature, make conscious choices, and let your fashion choices reflect your values.