Hand-knit sweaters, once considered a less-than-stylish gift from grandmothers, have recently gained a new level of popularity. High-end menswear brands like Ralph Lauren and Sid Mashburn now stock them, offering a commercially-produced version of the hand-made garment. The process of creating a hand-knit sweater is vastly different from that of a machine-made one, as the fibers are manually pulled and adjusted. As a result, it is recommended to size down when between sizes. Care and maintenance include gentle hand-washing at home, as opposed to machine washing or dry cleaning, in order to preserve the sweater's quality and longevity. While hand-washing may require additional effort, it is a reasonable trade-off for a timeless garment that can potentially last for decades to come.