How to Care for Your Ultraweight Crewneck
By 3sixteen | Published: 2026-10-23
Category: Tips & Care
Learn the best way to wash, dry, and store your 3sixteen Ultraweight Crewneck to keep its vintage texture and boxy fit looking great for years.
Quick answer
To care for your Ultraweight Crewneck, wash it inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then lay it flat to dry—never use the dryer. This preserves the 615gsm french terry's vintage texture and prevents shrinking or misshaping.
Why the Ultraweight fabric needs special care
The Ultraweight Crewneck is made from a custom 615gsm 3-end french terry, knit in Los Angeles. This is even heavier than our renowned heavyweight fleece, giving it a substantial drape and a vintage face texture. Because the fabric is so dense, it behaves differently in the wash than lighter knits: it can hold onto moisture longer and is more prone to distortion if handled roughly.
The fit is slightly cropped and boxy compared to our standard fleece, so preserving the original shape matters. A few simple habits—washing in cold water, avoiding the dryer, and storing it folded—will keep the crewneck looking and fitting the way it did when you first got it.
What to avoid: the dryer and hot water
High heat is the main enemy of heavyweight cotton knits. The dryer can cause shrinkage, distort the boxy fit, and break down the fibers that give the fabric its vintage texture. Similarly, hot water can accelerate fading and cause the crewneck to lose its shape. Stick to cold water and air drying to keep the fabric's structure intact.
If you're in a hurry, you can use a low-heat dryer cycle for a short time, but it's not ideal. The safest approach is to always lay the crewneck flat to dry, which we detail in the steps below.
Step-by-step care routine for your Ultraweight Crewneck
- Turn the crewneck inside out: Before washing, turn the crewneck inside out. This protects the exterior face fabric from friction and helps reduce pilling, keeping the vintage texture looking clean. Always check pockets for items that could snag the fabric.
- Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle: Use cold water (below 30°C/86°F) and select a gentle or delicate cycle on your machine. Use a mild detergent without bleach or fabric softener, as softeners can coat the fibers and reduce absorbency. Wash with similar colors to avoid any dye transfer.
- Dry flat, never in the dryer: After washing, gently reshape the crewneck while it's damp and lay it flat on a clean towel or drying rack. Avoid hanging it, as the weight of the wet fabric can stretch the shoulders. Do not use the dryer—high heat can shrink the cotton and ruin the fit. If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and remove the crewneck while still slightly damp to air dry the rest.
- Store folded, not hung: Once fully dry, fold the crewneck and store it on a shelf or in a drawer. Hanging a heavy knit like this can cause the shoulders to stretch and distort the boxy fit over time. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of the folded crewneck to prevent creasing.
About the Ultraweight Crewneck
- Ultraweight Crewneck ~ Kombu Green: The Ultraweight Crewneck features a 615gsm 3-end french terry that is custom knit for us in Los Angeles, with a vintage texture on the face and a closed loop structure on the interior. This dense fabric needs gentle handling to preserve its texture and prevent distortion, so following the care steps is essential.
Ultraweight Crewneck ~ Kombu Green
