How to Fold Jumpers Neatly Without Stretching Them

What You’ll Need

A clean, dry, flat surface, such as a table or bed.
A drawer or shelf where the folded jumper can lie without being squeezed.

Folding jumpers neatly makes them easier to stack or store and helps prevent unnecessary stretching. Work with the jumper dry, and check its care label if it has a delicate knit or special shape. The method below suits most ordinary knit and sweatshirt-style jumpers; bulky, long or unusually shaped garments may need a looser fold.

Step-by-Step

Lay it front-side down. Spread the jumper on a clean, flat surface with the back facing up. Smooth the body gently from the shoulders toward the hem, without tugging the fabric. Line up the shoulder seams and straighten the hem.
Set the sleeves in place. Bring one sleeve diagonally across the back toward the opposite side of the body. Fold it down along the body so it lies inside the jumper’s outline. Repeat with the other sleeve, arranging the sleeves so they do not form a thick bundle in the middle. If the sleeves are long, fold their cuffs back toward the shoulders or hem as needed.
Fold one side inward. Bring the left side of the jumper toward the centre, folding along a line just inside the shoulder. Keep the folded edge straight and make sure the sleeve remains tucked in. Do not pull the fabric tight; the fold should rest naturally.
Fold the other side inward. Bring the right side toward the centre so it meets or slightly overlaps the first side. Adjust the sleeves if they have slipped out, and smooth any large wrinkles with an open palm.
Fold the body to your preferred size. Fold the hem upward toward the shoulders, usually in half for a medium or lightweight jumper. For a longer jumper or a shallow shelf, fold it into thirds instead. Keep the fold loose enough that the knit is not compressed into a hard, thick bundle.
Turn it over and store it flat. Turn the folded jumper so the smooth front is facing up, then place it on a shelf or in a drawer. Stack heavier jumpers underneath lighter ones, and avoid pressing a tall, unstable stack down to make it fit.

Common Mistakes

Hanging a heavy knit for storage: A jumper’s weight can pull at the shoulders and lengthen the garment over time. Folding it flat is usually the better choice for long-term storage.
Pulling the fabric into shape: Stretching the neckline, cuffs or hem while smoothing can distort them. Guide the fabric with your hands rather than tugging at an edge.
Making a bulky centre: Leaving both sleeves piled across the middle creates an uneven fold that is harder to stack. Lay sleeves along the body and fold back excess length where needed.
Folding while damp: Damp knitwear can hold creases and may not dry evenly in a tight fold. Let the jumper dry fully according to its care label before putting it away.
Compressing the stack: Forcing a folded jumper into an overfilled drawer can crease it and make other garments difficult to remove. Make the fold smaller or choose a less crowded space instead.

Tips

Match the fold to the storage space: use a half fold for a roomy shelf and a third fold for a narrow drawer.
For a very thick jumper, keep the folds broad and avoid folding it into several layers. A flatter, looser fold reduces bulk.
For a fine or delicate knit, support the fabric with both hands as you move it. Keep the neckline and shoulders flat rather than pinching or pulling them.
If you store jumpers in a drawer, place them side by side with the folded edges visible. This makes it easier to choose one without lifting the whole stack.
Before folding, close any buttons or zips gently and check that the garment is free of items such as tissues in its pockets.
For a jumper with a hood, fold the hood down flat over the back before arranging the sleeves. If it creates a lump, place it along the body rather than trapping it in the centre.

Troubleshooting

The jumper looks lopsided after folding. Open it out and align the shoulder seams and hem again. Fold each side inward by a similar amount, then check that the sleeves lie within the body before folding the hem up.

The sleeves keep slipping out. Fold each sleeve closer to the centre and make a small extra fold at the cuff if it extends past the hem. Avoid tucking the cuff tightly into a narrow pocket, which can create a bulky lump.

The folded jumper is too wide for the drawer. Reopen it and bring both sides farther toward the centre before folding the body. Keep the shape rectangular, and do not stretch the knit to force it into the drawer.

The jumper is too thick to stack neatly. Use a single broad fold rather than folding the body into thirds, or store it on its own. A bulky jumper may sit better on a shelf than in a tightly packed drawer.

It has creases after storage. Unfold the jumper and lay it flat for a while. For any further care, follow the garment’s label; do not assume every knit can be ironed or steamed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should jumpers be folded or hung?

Fold most jumpers for storage, especially heavier or loosely knitted ones, because hanging can pull on the shoulders. A lightweight jumper may be hung briefly, but a shelf or drawer is generally preferable for keeping its shape.

How do I fold a jumper for a small drawer?

Fold both sides farther toward the centre, then fold the body into thirds. Keep sleeves aligned with the body so they do not make the finished bundle wider than the drawer.

Can I fold a jumper with the front facing up?

Yes. The back-facing-up method makes it easy to arrange sleeves, but you can use the same folds with the front facing up. Choose whichever side helps you keep the garment smooth and aligned.

How should I fold a bulky jumper?

Use fewer, broader folds and avoid pressing the jumper into a compact bundle. Store it flat with plenty of room, or place it on top of a stack rather than underneath heavier garments.

How do I fold a jumper without creasing it?

Smooth it gently, keep the folds broad, and avoid overfilling the storage space. Some creasing can happen in storage; follow the care label for safe ways to remove it.

Sources: Woolmark. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.