2 Easy and Effective Ways to Fold Sweaters, According to a Pro Organizer
Sweater weather is coming. Do you know where your favorite pullover or cardigan is? If reaching for one means setting off an avalanche in your bedroom closet or digging through overflowing drawers, it’s time to reorganize your sweater stash.
2 Ways to Fold Sweaters
There are two easy and effective techniques to store and fold your sweaters.
- Use the KonMari method of “file folding” your sweaters.
- Make sweaters into a “jelly roll,” so that it is compact.
Read on to learn how to fold sweaters using either of these methods.
If this sounds daunting, the good news is that there’s no “right way” to organize sweaters, according to Carly Adams, professional organizer and founder of Tidy Revival. “How I choose to organize sweaters largely depends on someone’s space, and what they have available for storage,” she says.
Here are two of the easiest and most effective techniques to fold sweaters.
How to Fold a Sweater Using the KonMari Method
If you use drawers to store your sweaters, Adams is a huge fan of Marie Kondo’s KonMari “file fold” method. “This will ensure that you can see each sweater at a glance, and it’s easy to get them in and out of your drawer without disrupting the others,” she says. “If you feel like you need a little support between rows, drawer dividers will be your best friend.” Here’s how it’s done.
Step 1: Lay the sweater flat on its back.
The label on the back of the neck should be facing up.
Step 2: Form a rectangle with your sweater.
Take one side and fold it inward toward the center, making one long side of the rectangle
Step 3: Take the sleeve of the side you just folded in.
Fold about 3/4 of it back toward you on an angle, then forward again so that the cuff and sleeve fit in the side of the rectangle.
Step 4: Repeat the same process on the other side.
Your sweater should now be in the shape of a rectangle.
Step 5: Fold the sweater almost in half.
You’ll leave about a three-inch gap at the bottom.
Step 6: Fold the sweater again in half.
If your sweater is longer, you’ll fold in thirds.
Step 7: Stand the sweater up on its end.
And you’ll “file” it in a drawer. That’s it!
How to Fold a Sweater Like a Jelly Roll
For a more compact method, here’s how to fold sweaters short and sweet, like a “jelly roll.”
Step 1: Lay the sweater down.
Lay it on a flat, clean surface.
Step 2: Fold the sleeves inward and across.
You’ll want the right cuff to touch the bottom on the left side and the left cuff to touch the bottom on the right side.
Step 3: Starting from the bottom, loosely roll the sweater upward in an even motion.
Smooth as you go. Store in a drawer or a bin, forming a row of “jelly rolls.” This is also a great method to use when packing a suitcase to ensure your garments remain as wrinkle-free as possible in transit.
Not sure which technique is best for storing your sweaters? Adams says just pick the one that will be the easiest for you to keep up with. “Remember that the best system is the one that works best for your lifestyle,” she says. “When it comes to organizing, simple is better.”