How to Fold a Cashmere Sweater

Why Folding Cashmere Matters

Knowing how to fold cashmere the right way can make all the difference in how your favorite sweater looks and feels over the years. Cashmere is gentle by nature and oddly a bit fussy if we try to treat it like everyday cotton. Instead of throwing it over a hanger and hoping for the best, we fold it the way Italian grandmothers fold their linens: quietly, with intention. Each crease or stretch can leave a memory in the fabric, sometimes for longer than we would like. Tucking your cashmere into neat, easy folds is a bit like tucking away summer tomatoes in jars. It preserves what you love, keeps out the wrinkles, and honors the work that went into shaping each piece.

Step-by-Step: How to Fold Cashmere

To keep your cashmere from stretching out or getting weird creases, lay your sweater flat on a clean surface, kitchen table, bed, or wherever feels calm. Smooth it out with your hands, as if you’re petting a favorite dog. Fold the arms in first, straight across the back in a neat line. Then gently bring in each side so the shape stays even, never sharp. After that, fold from the bottom up toward the neckline. Some folks stop here. If you prefer a smaller stack, do one more fold. Cashmere prefers soft pressure and kindness rather than sharp angles—think ravioli dough, not origami paper. If your wardrobe is tight on space, this approach helps sweaters keep their shape and makes stacking a little like building a pile of old hardcover books: possible and satisfying.

Storage Tips for Long-Lasting Softness

After folding, the question is where to keep your fine knitwear so it stays like new. We’ve found wooden or fabric-lined drawers work best for storing your folded sweaters. Cedar if you can find it as it smells crisp and keeps the bugs away. For a piece like the Ultralight Cashmere Raglan Turtleneck, you might wrap it loosely in tissue or an old cotton pillowcase, no zippers, no plastic, nothing that traps moisture. When we were small, our aunt stashed lavender sachets between her sweaters. That old trick still holds up, adding a faintly scented layer of protection. Give sweaters a little room to breathe. A crowded drawer is like rush hour: no one is happy. A little care here means less pilling, less stretching, and sweaters that feel good season after season.

Common Folding Mistakes and How We Fix Them

Hanging cashmere might seem harmless at first, but it stretches out shoulders and creates odd hanger bumps. We’ve seen it with friends who insist on using those velvet hangers, the results are rarely kind to the shape of a gentle knit. Another error is rushing folds, which causes sharp lines that do not smooth out quickly. Think about folded cardboard, how it never returns to flat again. Sweaters can be like that if treated roughly. Also, avoid stuffing sweaters into overfilled shelves. Even a beautiful Oversized Boatneck Sweater can lose its shape when squeezed in too tight. Patience and gentle hands win every time. If you do get a stubborn crease, a little steam from a kettle or a warm bathroom often works wonders—no harsh irons or pressing boards required.

Care That Lasts Beyond Seasons

Learning how to fold cashmere is less about following rules and more about making space for quality in your life. We fold each sweater not just to keep it tidy but to carry forward the patience and skill that started in the hills of Tuscany. Each piece from Monticelli’s collection represents more than clothing, it’s the feeling you get from thoughtful making. Your hands, your time, your care: these are woven right into the fabric, long after it leaves the workshop and finds a place in your home.

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