Grading a used knit sweater
Grading a used knit sweater is mostly about pilling and shape. Knits stretch, snag, and felt in ways woven garments don't, so the grade weighs surface pilling, holes, and whether the ribbing and cuffs still recover — a stretched-out neckline or a moth hole caps an otherwise clean piece.
What to check
- Pilling severity on high-friction zones — underarms, sides, cuffs
- Snags, pulls, and moth holes in the knit surface
- Shape retention: neckline, cuff, and hem ribbing recovery
- Felting or shrinkage from improper washing
How to grade it, step by step
- 1
Scan for pilling
Check the underarms, sides, and cuffs where friction pills the yarn. Light, removable pilling is minor; dense matted pilling felted into the knit caps the grade.
- 2
Hunt for holes
Hold the sweater to the light and look for moth holes, snags, and pulls. A single small hole is a cosmetic hit; multiple holes signal moth damage.
- 3
Test the ribbing
Stretch and release the neckline, cuffs, and hem. Ribbing that stays stretched out lowers the grade even when the body is clean.
Graded examples
| Grade | Why |
|---|---|
| 9 (NWOT) | Unworn, no pilling, ribbing snaps back crisply. |
| 6 (Good) | Light removable pilling at the cuffs, shape fully intact. |
| 3 (Poor) | Matted pilling plus two moth holes and a stretched neckline. |
Every grade sits on the GradeThread 1.0–10.0 scale.
Flaws to watch on this garment
Frequently asked
- Does pilling always lower a sweater's grade?
- Only when it can't be removed. Light surface pilling that a fabric comb lifts off is a minor cosmetic note. Dense pilling that has felted into the knit is permanent wear and does lower the grade, because it changes the fabric's hand and look.
Ready to Grade Smarter?
Join resellers who trust GradeThread to standardize condition grading, build buyer confidence, and sell faster.