You’ve seen it on your feed. That perfectly chunky, cream-colored aritzia cable knit sweater that makes every outfit look like you just stepped out of a Nancy Meyers movie set. It’s the "coastal grandchild" aesthetic peaked. But here’s the thing: people either treat these sweaters like sacred heirlooms or they end up swearing off the brand forever because their $150 investment turned into a fuzzy mess after three wears.
What’s the deal?
Honestly, Aritzia is a bit of a maze. They have like ten different "in-house" brands—Wilfred, Sunday Best, Babaton, the list goes on—and each one approaches a cable knit differently. If you buy the wrong one, you’re basically paying for fast fashion at a premium price. If you buy the right one, you’ll be wearing it until 2035.
The Merino Mystery: Heritage vs. The Rest
When you search for an aritzia cable knit sweater, the "Heritage Knit" usually pops up first. It’s 100% extra-fine merino wool. This is the gold standard. Most people don't realize that merino is actually a "performance" fiber. It doesn't hold onto smells, and it regulates your temperature so you don't get that weird sweaty-but-cold feeling in the winter.
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Then you have the Peggy.
The Peggy is a cult favorite, but it’s a bit of a shapeshifter. Depending on the season, Aritzia might make it in "Infiniti Wool" (a blend of merino, recycled nylon, and organic cotton) or their "Cotton Charm" yarn.
- The 100% Wool Version: It’s heavier. It’s warmer. It’s more "authentic."
- The Blend Version: It’s softer against the skin right away, but the nylon means it might pill faster if you aren't careful.
If you’re someone who finds wool itchy, the blends under the Sunday Best label are your best bet. But if you want something that feels like a "real" sweater—the kind that has a satisfying weight to it—look for the Wilfred Heritage pieces. They use specific stitches like the "Harbour Cable" or "Sailor Cable." These aren't just names; they refer to the density and pattern of the knit. The Harbour is a diamond pattern that’s quite stiff and holds its shape, whereas the Sailor is a bit more intricate and flexible.
Why Your Sweater Is Pilling (And It’s Not Just Your Luck)
It’s annoying. You spend the money, and suddenly there are little fuzzballs under the arms.
Here is the hard truth: all high-quality natural fibers pill. It's just physics. The fibers rub together, they break, and they tangle. The difference is that with a 100% wool aritzia cable knit sweater, those pills are easy to remove with a simple sweater stone or a battery-powered "de-fuzzer." With cheap synthetic sweaters, the pills are literally part of the plastic fiber and won't come off without ruining the garment.
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Also, stop washing them. Seriously.
Wool is naturally antimicrobial. Unless you spilled a latte down the front, you really only need to wash these once or twice a season. Many Aritzia regulars just "freeze" their sweaters for a few hours to kill any bacteria or let them air out by a window. If you do wash it, the "delicate" cycle on your machine is a lie. Hand wash in a sink with something like Eucalan or Soak. If you agitate the wet wool, it will felt. Once it felts, it’s a doll's sweater. There’s no coming back from that.
Styling the Oversized Look Without Looking Like a Blob
Aritzia loves a "relaxed fit." Sometimes that means a size Small fits like a Large. For the aritzia cable knit sweater, the silhouette is usually boxy with dropped shoulders.
To make this work in 2026, the move is all about the "third piece" rule. If the sweater is huge, your pants need to be structured. Think tailored trousers or a silk slip skirt to offset the bulk. If you wear an oversized cable knit with baggy sweatpants, you're just a walking pile of fabric.
Some people are currently obsessed with the "hi-hip" length. It’s a slightly cropped version that hits right at the waistband of high-waisted jeans. It’s way easier to style because you don't have to deal with the "French tuck" struggle where you have six inches of thick wool stuffed into your pants, making you look like you have a weird growth.
Common Stitches to Look For:
- Major Cable: Very chunky, 3D texture. Best for that "borrowed from the boyfriend" look.
- Tidal Cable: More fluid and wavy. Looks a bit more "office appropriate."
- Coastal Cable: The classic fisherman vibe. Very traditional and stiff.
The "Itchy" Factor
Let's be real. Some of these are itchy. If you have sensitive skin, even the "extra-fine" merino might bother you. Aritzia’s "Wonder Yarn" or "SoftSpoke" lines are specifically designed to solve this, usually by blending the wool with smoother fibers. If the tag says 100% wool and you're worried, wear a thin Uniqlo Heattech or a cotton turtleneck underneath. It saves your skin and also means you have to wash the sweater even less frequently.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Purchase
- Check the Composition: Look for "100% Merino" if you want longevity. Avoid anything with more than 30% nylon or acrylic if you're paying full price.
- Size Down: Unless you want to drown in it, most people find that sizing down one full size in the Peggy or Heritage styles still gives that "cool" oversized look.
- Invest in a Shaver: Get a Conair fabric shaver. It sounds extra, but using it once a month will make a three-year-old sweater look brand new.
- Dry Flat Only: Never, ever hang a wet cable knit. The weight of the water will stretch the cables until the sweater is four inches longer and weirdly skinny.
- Store Folded: Hangers are the enemy of knits. They create "shoulder nipples." Fold them and keep them in a cedar chest or a drawer to keep moths away.
Aritzia's cable knits are a staple for a reason, but they aren't "set it and forget it" clothes. They require a little bit of respect. Treat the wool well, and it'll be the warmest thing in your closet for a very long time.