Caring for a wool and cashmere shawl

The wool and the cashmere of the Clover Blend are delicate by nature. A few habits, almost all of them without water, are enough to keep it soft and beautiful for years.

Between wearings, let it rest

After a day of wear, the fibres have been stretched where the shawl was knotted or draped. A day of rest, flat or folded, helps them settle back. If you wear it often, think of it as you would a pair of leather shoes: every other day suits it better than every day.

Fold it, do not hang it

Hung on a hanger or a hook, a knitted shawl stretches under its own weight. Folded in three or four and stored flat, it keeps its proportions and its drape.

Pilling: normal, and easy to lift

As the cloth rubs, the shortest fibres form small balls on the surface, especially in the first weeks and wherever a bag or a belt touches it. This is not a fault: it is how a natural fibre sheds what it does not need. A cashmere comb, drawn gently along the direction of the knit, lifts them without harming the rest. Avoid electric shavers, which also cut the healthy fibres.

Wash it as little as possible

Wool and cashmere soil slowly and air well: most of the time, a night in the open, out of the sun, is enough to freshen the shawl. For washing, follow the instructions on the label. Washing instructions to be confirmed with the maker.

Storing it for the summer

Store it clean: moths are drawn to fibres that have been worn. Fold it in tissue paper or a cotton bag, dry and away from the light. A lavender sachet or a cedar block nearby completes the protection, without ever touching the knit.

Travelling

Fold it last, on top of the case, or keep it with you: on a train or a plane it serves as a scarf, a blanket or a pillow. On arrival, unfold it and lay it flat for a few hours.

To remember

A day of rest between wearings. Folded, never hung. A cashmere comb for the pills. As few washes as possible, following the label. Stored clean, dry and away from the light.