Knitter/handspinner here- try to get 100% natural fibers or as close to that as possible. Wool is best for holding its shape over time, fibers like alpaca don’t have memory and will stretch out over time, especially when not combined with wool or a plant fiber like cotton. I thrift sweaters all of the time and just look for 100% natural fibers and few to no moth holes (I don’t mind mending them if there are holes, though!).
The most important thing IMO is how you care for the sweater. Hand washing at the end of every season with wool wash (look up blocking/washing a wool sweater) and then storing it in a sealed plastic bag or container should keep it like new for a long time. Moths are attracted to dirty/sweaty sweaters, so always put away clean. Also, never store sweaters on hangers- always fold or roll them and seal to avoid stretching/stress on the stitches and moths.
Also- sweaters with seams are usually best for BIFL. They hold up longer than seamless sweaters and are more likely to retain their shape over time.
bbysir t1_ix0l3o0 wrote
Reply to BIFL women's sweater by SarahAB227
Knitter/handspinner here- try to get 100% natural fibers or as close to that as possible. Wool is best for holding its shape over time, fibers like alpaca don’t have memory and will stretch out over time, especially when not combined with wool or a plant fiber like cotton. I thrift sweaters all of the time and just look for 100% natural fibers and few to no moth holes (I don’t mind mending them if there are holes, though!).
The most important thing IMO is how you care for the sweater. Hand washing at the end of every season with wool wash (look up blocking/washing a wool sweater) and then storing it in a sealed plastic bag or container should keep it like new for a long time. Moths are attracted to dirty/sweaty sweaters, so always put away clean. Also, never store sweaters on hangers- always fold or roll them and seal to avoid stretching/stress on the stitches and moths.
Also- sweaters with seams are usually best for BIFL. They hold up longer than seamless sweaters and are more likely to retain their shape over time.