Knitwear types and materials

Choose the right fabric and knitwear design, from timeless fine-gauge roll necks to cosy chunky-knit sweaters
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Two women in autumn knitwear and check coat sitting in tall grass, outdoor fashion portrait in warm light
Two women in autumn knitwear and check coat sitting in tall grass, outdoor fashion portrait in warm light
Buying guides

Knitwear fabrics and materials

Materials range from easy-care synthetics, lighter linen or cotton blend knits to luxurious, long-lasting cashmere that’s a true investment piece for your wardrobe. Pure wool knitwear is also a more premium option. Look for blends with cashmere, lambswool or merino wool adding warmth and softness.

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Cashmere

  • High-quality fibres for ultra-softness

  • Deep and rich colours

  • For long-lasting investment pieces

  • Our own-brand cashmere is sustainable and traceable

Close-up of dark grey textured fabric background, soft heather knit material for upholstery or clothing

Wool

  • Luxurious

  • Adds warmth with a soft handle

  • Usually blended with merino wool

Close-up of navy wool coat fabric with button detail, showing warm winter outerwear texture and stitching

Alpaca

  • Luxurious, fine and light

  • Warm like wool and soft like cashmere

  • Usually blended with wool and synthetic fibres

Close-up of burgundy red fabric texture, smooth knit material background for clothing and textiles

Merino wool

  • Ideal for layering

  • Breathable and cooling properties as well as warming

  • Naturally odour-resistant

  • Own-brand merino wool is from cruelty-free non-mulesed sources

Close-up of grey and white knitted fabric texture, soft marled wool pattern for cosy winter clothing background

Lambswool

  • Extra fine

  • Naturally warm and soft against the skin

  • Smooth and elastic

  • Made from the first fleece of a sheep

  • Sometimes blended with synthetic fibres

Close-up of teal upholstery fabric texture, smooth woven material for sofa, chair or cushion cover in dark green

Cotton

  • Natural fibre

  • Hard-wearing, lightweight and breathable

  • Great for transitional seasons

  • Organic cotton is naturally grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides

Close-up of navy blue stitched fabric texture with subtle quilting, ideal for bedding or upholstery detail photo

Linen

  • Plant-based fibre

  • Lightweight and breathable

  • Great for transitional seasons

  • Blended with cotton for knitwear

Close-up of light grey knit fabric texture, soft jersey material detail for clothing and textiles

Synthetic

  • Acrylic is a synthetic fibre resembling wool

  • Acrylic is easy to clean and care for - usually machine washable

  • Elastane is added to give a touch of stretch to a fabric

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John Lewis cashmere

A cashmere piece is an investment that you should treasure and keep for years. John Lewis own-brand cashmere comes from the region stretching from northern China into Mongolia where conditions are just right for the special type of goats from which our cashmere fibre is collected. The cold climate and hearty lifestyle of the animals produce the longest, finest, softest fibres: some of the best cashmere in the world. A single cashmere jumper requires the fibre of about four goats, whereas one sheep produces enough fibre to make five wool jumpers. As a responsible retailer, we have a long-standing relationship with our carefully selected suppliers and are committed to ensuring high standards of animal welfare. We’re proud to work with the suppliers to ensure the herders have the right support to ensure these unique animals continue to thrive. We care about the environment too, and are working hard to create a more sustainable system for cashmere production. Our teams take the time to craft our products, and every detail is carefully considered. So you can rest easy in the knowledge you’re buying a quality piece, with a considered, conscious supply chain behind it. That’s what we call an investment item.

Better cotton initiative

By buying certain cotton products from John Lewis, you're supporting more sustainable cotton farming through the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).

BCI is a not-for-profit organisation which exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in, and better for the sector's future. BCI works with partners around the world such as WWF, Solidaridad and Cotton Connect to train farmers to produce cotton more sustainably.

Better Cotton is sourced via a principle of 'mass balance' and is not physically traceable to the end products. However, BCI farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in equivalent volumes to those we source.

Types of knit patterns & gauge

The pattern affects the warmth of your knitwear as does the gauge or size of the stitch

Close-up of beige woven fabric texture with fine vertical stripes

Ribbed knit

  • Cosy knit popular for jumpers and cardigans

  • Alternate textured ridges on both sides of the knitwear

  • Gives each piece a bit of stretch and elasticity

Blue cable knit fabric texture close-up with vertical braided pattern, cosy woollen jumper background for textiles

Cable knit

  • Traditional cosy knit for jumpers and cardigans

  • Classic and timeless cable-style crossing pattern like fisherman’s rope

  • Thick and warm knit

Close-up of beige linen fabric texture, natural woven textile background for upholstery and home décor designs

Fine gauge knit

  • Tighter stitch

  • Streamlined and flattering

  • Easy to layer

  • Versatile and easily styled from day to night

Close-up of black ribbed knitted fabric texture, ideal as a seamless background for fashion and textile design.

Chunky knit

  • Wider, looser stitch

  • Creates shape

  • Sense of cosiness

  • More casual and easy to layer over a dress or shirt

Knitwear necklines

Fuchsia crew neck knit jumper with ribbed collar and raglan sleeves, close-up product photo on white background

Round and crew neck

Usually sits fairly high on the neck with a curved design. Crew necks are closer fitting.

Bright pink V-neck knit jumper close-up, soft long-sleeve womenswear knitwear on a clean white background

V-neck

Popular and flattering with a V-shaped cut. Easy to layer over a shirt or blouse.

Navy mock neck jumper close-up, soft knit fabric, smart casual men's winter sweater on white background

Roll or polo neck

A fitted high neckline usually worn folded down and also called a turtleneck.

Blue knit half-zip jumper with ribbed funnel neck and raglan sleeves, close-up product photo on white background

Zip neck

Sporty, but stylish with the advantage of being easily layerable

Charcoal grey knitted jumper with ribbed crew neck and raglan sleeves, soft wool blend on white background

Funnel neck

A looser, more relaxed high neckline that stands up

Soft blue crew neck jumper with ribbed collar, long sleeves and cosy knit texture on plain background

Boat neck

Usually slightly lower than a round neck, just below the collarbone and with a wide, elegant opening

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Knitwear accessories

Knitwear accessories have you covered from head to toe. Go traditional with a Fair Isle pattern. Keep it contemporary with a woollen pom-pom beanie or a warm chunky knit hat in a bold colour.

Cashmere gloves and wrist-warmers are a luxurious way to handle the cold. Opt for the right fabric for socks to keep toes toasty, and finish an outfit with a knitted scarf, from a wide choice of patterns and colours.

Caring for your knitwear

Storing and maintaining your knitwear

If you take good care for your knitwear it can last you a lifetime. Keep knitwear cool and dry. To maintain the shape of the knitwear, it's better to fold knitwear rather than hanging it up. If you need to hang up jumpers and cardigans, use smooth cedar wood hangers without any nicks. This type of wood is a natural moth repellent.

To deter moths in a drawer or on a wardrobe shelf, use cedar wood mothballs or nuggets and lavender-scented sachets and drawer fresheners. Tuck them into a pocket or fold and replace every three to six months. In summer months, store knitwear clean and preferably in boxes with secure lids or in zip-lock clothes bags.

Washing and drying your knitwear

Depending on the fabric, knitwear can be dry cleaned or washed by hand in warm water - but go gentle. Always check the care label for each piece. Do not use strong detergents for knitwear and avoid soaking for too long and tumble drying. Gently press rather than wringing the knitwear. Dry your knitwear flat to maintain its shape.

Our own-brand cashmere is usually hand wash only in cold water, keeping the knitwear in the water for just a few minutes at most.

For knitwear labels that allow machine washing, use your machine’s wool or hand wash cycle. Place knitwear in a mesh bag for protection. Better still, don’t wash it with items that can snag knitwear such as jeans or tops with zips. Keep the temperature and spin cycle speed low.