Maintenance

Galia Gukaylo of the Knitwear Doctor in Costa Mesa offers these tips for caring for cashmere:

* Keep sweaters folded. They will stretch out if left on a hanger.

* Stoe in plastic; zip-locking bags work well. This keeps moths and silverfish from gnawing holes in the precious garments.

* Lint balls can be removed with a special brush or by a dry cleaner.

* Cashmere sweaters with stains or holes can usually be repaired. Often, a light-colored sweater that has been stained can be dyed a deeper one.