https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:58:35 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415874 Sun, 28 Dec 2014 03:27:46 +0000 Keix 1415874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The softer the sweater, the more likely it is to pill.</p> <p>I try not to worry about it too much, and I use an electric sweater shaver a few times a year to clean up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415812 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 23:15:05 +0000 Vicki 1415812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It seems like with everyone's shared wisdom here, the price point doesn't seem to matter. I've recently bought a few cashmere sweaters, because I like their warmth and softness and I have several thicknesses. That said, I don't like pilling either and I use a Dritz sweater comb (bought on Amazon) that does the maintenance and keeps my sweaters looking as fresh as they can. Still, we are wearing them and that's part of enjoying them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415786 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:53:31 +0000 rabbit 1415786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pills really bug me so I try to inspect sweaters after each wear and shave or fuzz-bust. &nbsp;The most trouble I have is with longer cardigans or sweater/tunics, the part I sit on invariably&nbsp;pills and is kind of a big area to deal with. &nbsp;I agree that acrylic is a no go for me&nbsp;unless it's a really small percentage. &nbsp; </p> <p>Thrifted sweaters are actually were I've had the most luck with not pilling. &nbsp;If it hasn't pilled significantly in its former life, it's usually a good bet for holding up under additional wears. &nbsp;Also I have better luck with chunkier&nbsp;knits than thin soft ones with small stitches. &nbsp; I had an old&nbsp;Aran sweater once that was bomb-proof - never once pilled, and I think the fact that the wool still seemed to have some natural oils was part of it. &nbsp;Not the softest thing in the world though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415770 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:22:11 +0000 rachylou 1415770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've decided the cutest, warmest sweaters always pill. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415762 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:10:24 +0000 Staysfit 1415762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wouldn't worry about the pills. &nbsp;It seems that all sweaters pill no matter what! Personally, I don't notice the pills on someone else's sweater, only on my own, so I have to adjust to the fact that mine will pill regardless of their age or quality. &nbsp;Wear what makes you feel good, and wear it with confidence! &nbsp;Don't break your budget for a high end sweater!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415731 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 19:12:57 +0000 kkards 1415731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304007504579348713465126696" rel="nofollow">http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB.....3465126696</a><br /> Elly,this article may be of interest to you. One of the things it talks about, which I never thought about before, is many company's are "breaking in" your sweater, just like they are "breaking in" your jeans. So the sweater is soft and comfy when you get it, but in essence, it's also had some of its wear taken away. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415604 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 04:02:18 +0000 Dimity 1415604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was on the Woolovers site recently and wonder if a short sleeved sweater might work for you?<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.woolovers.us/lambswool/womens/short-sleeve-sweater.aspx">http://www.woolovers.us/lambsw.....eater.aspx</a><br />It's pure lambswool and the dark grey is only $28USD. I searched YLF for comments about Woolovers and didn't see anything negative in the ones I read.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415591 Sat, 27 Dec 2014 02:58:40 +0000 Suz 1415591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think pilling on the forearms is sort of a given with sweaters in wool or cashmere. I just pick and comb or shave it off. Merino fares better for me than cashmere or lambswool. But sometimes I like the "loft" (and added warmth) of those.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't drive enough without a coat to get seat belt pilling but it makes sense.</p> <p>In my climate, I need knits for warmth and comfort so I'm wearing them, regardless. I do get very annoyed with I get pilling all over the body of the sweater, even in areas where there isn't much rubbing of any kind. I tend to vow not to buy that brand any more when this happens.&nbsp;</p> <p>Cotton pills less (as a rule) but is not as warm. I have a cotton/ cashmere blend sweater that is quite nice and adds a bit of warmth along with the durability.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415524 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 21:30:21 +0000 Peri 1415524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a lot of trouble with sweaters pilling too. Mine on the arms and down the sides near the waist, and also where the car seatbelt goes across. I have not found quality to matter much. The $250 Joie I splurged on last year&nbsp;pilled as fast as the under $100 Chaus two I bought.&nbsp;</p> <p>I wish I had an answer for you. It makes me mad too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415521 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 21:14:39 +0000 Anonymous 1415521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cashmere is fairly likely to pill. Merino would be better. Maybe the lux sweatshirts? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415507 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 20:44:46 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1415507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Could the wool be at fault? I don't wear wool except as outerwear (except for one cashmere cardigan my DH bought me), because I find it itchy, and so the bulk of my sweaters are cotton, cotton/synthetic blends, rayon, and sometimes linen. I've had some of my sweaters for several years and they're still in good shape, and I machine wash everything on the delicate cycle and hang to dry.</p> <p>The other fiber I avoid is acrylic - it makes for nice fluffy sweaters but they pill and look worn super-fast. A small percentage of acrylic won't ruin an otherwise OK sweater but anything larger than 10% makes it not worth the purchase for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415505 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 20:19:28 +0000 Anonymous 1415505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As Janet says. &nbsp;Piling has everything to do with how long or short the fibres of the yarn are, which is not related to quality at all. Synthetics tend not to pill as the fibres are longer. &nbsp;My most expensive sweaters pill almost immediately - especially from the seatbelt in my car. It drives me absolutely nuts, because nothing ages and&nbsp;ruins the look of a sweater faster than pilling.I'll have to investigate the Lilly brush Tania mentions. I use a shaver, and pick off bits by hand. &nbsp;It's the cost of wearing soft sweaters </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415500 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 19:55:31 +0000 Janet 1415500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really don't believe that price is an indicator of whether something will pill. I've had $20 sweaters not&nbsp;pill and $200 sweaters pill. I would read reviews if possible and I am now wary of spending&nbsp;a significant sum&nbsp;on a piece of knitwear.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415499 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 19:49:11 +0000 Tania 1415499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the pilling can be related to fiber quality/length of fibers.&nbsp; I have worn some organic knitwear for years through&nbsp;rough and frequent&nbsp;use (daily, housework, yardwork) with almost no pilling, but I've bought other stuff that pills after one wear.&nbsp; I used to use a fabric shaver for my kids' woolens, but I've had&nbsp;great success recently with the Lilly brush, which is inexpensive, easy to use, and won't put a hole in your sweater if you press too hard!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/am-i-too-rough-for-knitwear#post-1415496 Fri, 26 Dec 2014 19:36:16 +0000 Elly 1415496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For years I've avoided knitwear. This year I started with some cheaper pieces and really enjoyed the extra warmth but haven't had good luck with how they have worn. I don't think it has anything to do with washing -- but I get pilling on the lower sleeves almost exclusively. I work with my hands a ton and of course, sleeves come in contact with tools, desks, and even artifacts at work, plus jackets. I'm wondering if "upgrading" to some higher quality knits if fibers like merino or cashmere would solve the issue, or whether I'm simply too rough to keep something like that nice looking for work. </p> <p>The truly high-end is out of my price range, but much of the store brand merino or cashmere (even pieces that were close to $200) is all on sale this time of year. </p> <p> </p>