https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:49:55 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill/page/2#post-2279239 Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:15:06 +0000 Cee 2279239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They're more practical than duct tape anyways ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill/page/2#post-2279098 Sun, 28 Aug 2022 14:50:51 +0000 Angie 2279098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Cee</b>, you are so right! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill/page/2#post-2279079 Sun, 28 Aug 2022 10:46:01 +0000 Cee 2279079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good thing seatbelts make up for the awful pilling of knits by occasionally saving lives !&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill/page/2#post-2277894 Sat, 20 Aug 2022 22:54:52 +0000 Angie 2277894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Joy</b>, seatbelts can do awful things! Glad I hardly drive.</p> <p><b>JenniNZ,</b> impressive! A work of art. And a beautiful silhouette </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277774 Sat, 20 Aug 2022 05:22:55 +0000 Jenni NZ 2277774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie the 1995 black/cream rose patterned jumper that my MIL knitted for me has not pilled at all. I have worn it 18 times this winter with my black skivvy under (that might be a black mock turtleneck to you). It is a thick wool I think but would need to ask her if you want any more details than that. I am guessing it will be NZ wool. Pics from last year below. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277645 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:36:16 +0000 Anonymous 2277645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I heard a lady say that you can take care of your cashmere sweaters by wearing a coat over them in the car to prevent seat belt pilling. &nbsp;Just a thought. &nbsp;Whidbeygirl. &nbsp;That sounds labor intense, sorting hairs, but it makes sense. &nbsp;I used to spin fibers into yarn and the longer fibers are easier to spin. &nbsp; &nbsp;New Zealand sheep were valued for there long fleece but it still needed lots of washing and combing. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277644 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:35:04 +0000 Angie 2277644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the info, everyone!&nbsp;</p> <p>Especially enjoying seeing your knitted works of art </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277643 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 13:24:06 +0000 Cee 2277643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the compliment, <b>Angie</b>&nbsp;and <b>Indigoprint</b>&nbsp;:D </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277636 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 12:47:11 +0000 Rejoiceandbe 2277636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I knit quite a lot -often socks, mittens and blankets which are things that get used and washed frequently in my family. While pure wool will eventually pill if used a lot ( my cats love our wool blanket), I have noticed the greatest and quickest signs of wear with things made out of acrylic yarn. Socks yarns however need to have some degree of synthetics in them or they wear out too quickly on the pressure points of heels and toes.<br /> These 2 pictures show a wool blanket (1) and acrylic blanket (2) of the same age. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277634 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 12:44:57 +0000 Rejoiceandbe 2277634@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I knit quite a lot -often socks, mittens and blankets which are things that get used and washed frequently in my family. While pure wool will eventually pill if used a lot ( my cats love our wool blanket), I have noticed the greatest and quickest signs of wear with things made out of acrylic yarn. Socks yarns however need to have some degree of synthetics in them or they wear out too quickly on the pressure points of heels and toes.<br /> These 2 pictures show a wool blanket (1) and acrylic blanket (2) of the same age. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277594 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 02:58:34 +0000 Jaime 2277594@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting thread! I don't own any homemade knits but will keep an eye out. Very interested in whidbeygirl's comment - this would explain the unpredictability even within a brand. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277588 Fri, 19 Aug 2022 02:37:55 +0000 Aquamarine 2277588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I knit, but it’s been a few years since I knit a sweater. I have kept most of them and very few have pilled. Not sure why, except I almost always buy high-quality wool/natural fiber yarn…maybe that helps? (I rarely knit with cotton yarns, however. I find them too hard on my hands.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277571 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 23:33:46 +0000 Angie 2277571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Appreciate your VERY detailed and expert opinion, <b>whidbeygirl.</b> It all sounds very tricky!&nbsp;<b></b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277533 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 20:11:57 +0000 whidbeygirl 2277533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>From my years of raising alpacas and harvesting their fiber, I learned it's all about the staple length and micron of the fiber. Those qualities can vary on each animal due to genetics, diet, and how often sheared. And, the quality of other fibers blended. This applies across all types of animal fibers. Even though alpaca is an extremely soft and stretchy fiber short fibers can make it feel a bit scratchy. Plus if the coarse guard hairs are not sorted out (also true on goats and sheep) it will degrade the quality of yarn and the resulting garment might feel scratchy and pill. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277516 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 18:42:18 +0000 Angie 2277516@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, knitters!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>JAileen</b>, your aran looks EXACTLY like Greg's that his Mum made for him 40 years ago. Zero pilling.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Staysfit,</b> a 30 year-old sweater! No pilling. AMAZING. Like the arans.</p> <p><b>Cee,</b> one of your very best :)</p> <p><b>RobinF</b>, soooo disappointing :(</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277493 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:57:22 +0000 JAileen 2277493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My hand knits do not pill. &nbsp;I don’t know why. &nbsp;I knit an Aran sweater in high school and it is <i>absolutely perfect</i>. &nbsp;The yarn traditionally used with them still has its lanolin and that may have something to do with it. &nbsp;The red sweater is about 30 years old. &nbsp;The yarn was Italian mohair with thick parts that knit into bobbles. &nbsp;My socks are all a wool/nylon blend. &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>I bought a sweater from Nordstrom a few years that pilled just by looking at it. &nbsp;It was completely synthetic. &nbsp;It was soft and pretty, but so ridiculously annoying that I had to donate it.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277486 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:18:03 +0000 RobinF 2277486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Merwoman, you are quick! I love to knit but have a problem finishing :)</p> <p>I am very disappointed in one of mine, a fair isle sweater made with decent quality wool yarn. It is billing pretty badly. And yet a hat I made out of less expensive 50/50 wool/poly has worn great after years of winter wear. I guess it is like purchased sweaters, price isn't the best way to judge whether it will pill.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277472 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 10:28:13 +0000 Staysfit 2277472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m fairly new to knitting. &nbsp;I knit several sweaters in my twenties, took a long hiatus and started again now that my children have moved out. &nbsp;I still have my first sweater, made with some sort of burgundy colored Rowan yarn. &nbsp;It’s an Aran weight wool, and in pristine condition despite its age…over 30 years. &nbsp;It’s a very oversized style, and I wear it every winter. &nbsp;It’s my outdoor hiking sweater so I wear a down vest or puffer over it and still no pilling.</p> <p>I made this teal and mustard Rowan tweed yarn sweater this year. I wore it often and it did not pill.</p> <p>An old eggplant colored topper, made in my late 20’s, from softer yarn with some cashmere has a few pills. &nbsp;I shave it before wearing and they come off easily. &nbsp;You can see the pilling most easily at the edges of the sleeves.</p> <p>The socks I knit are not pilling despite multiple washes. &nbsp;Regia yarn.</p> <p><div>I haven’t had a chance to wear my new turtleneck so I’m not sure if it will pill. &nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277471 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 09:32:24 +0000 Anonymous 2277471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My grandma was an amazing knitter. I just came across a sweater she did, and it wasn't pilled. But I'm not sure if it had ever been worn either, as it was buried in mom's stuff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277459 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 04:54:02 +0000 Anonymous 2277459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never learned to knit but am willing to buy yarn and pay someone to knit me a good sweater that is less likely to pill. &nbsp;Wearing a small cross body bag all day, every day, takes a toll.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277456 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 03:48:25 +0000 Indigoprint 2277456@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cee...too fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277454 Thu, 18 Aug 2022 03:00:09 +0000 Cee 2277454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I asked a ewe if she ever pilled and she was unsurprisingly sheepish about it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277437 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 22:47:40 +0000 Angie 2277437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Indigoprint </b>and<b> Phoebe,</b> I'd love to see your work! Thanks for your expert knitting perspectives.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Merwoman</b>, maybe I need to take up knitting again. Although I can just picture the CHAOS with mischievous tiny Jo.... </p> <p><b>Sharan</b>, your Mama was an AMAZING knitter!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277433 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 21:17:13 +0000 merwoman 2277433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Angie and indigoprint! I find knitting very therapeutic and calming. Alpacino is from ‘ wool And the gang’, lots of fun names for their products. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277432 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 21:05:06 +0000 phoebe 2277432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The sweaters I made didn't but they were all non synthetic, mostly single fiber type yarns of good quality. I didn't use cashmere, as I made mostly sportswear type sweaters, and alpaca is too fiber shedding for me although it is lovely.</p> <p>Yarns intended for hand knitting are probably not processed the same way because they aren't fed into machines for mass production.</p> <p>I'm sorry you were disappointed by Naadam, in my experience cashmere, while warm and soft, is delicate no matter how long or fine the thread and maybe it's not possible to really know for sure how your clients wore their items, especially if they had high expectations of durability.</p> <p>I also completely agree with Rachylou's comment in today's blog post, things are most definitely, fundamentally, not what they were, in the building business the quality of wood has changed dramatically as there is very little old growth to be had.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277431 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 20:35:26 +0000 Indigoprint 2277431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Alpacino what a fun name for a yarn. Will have to look for that when I pick up my needles again.<br /> Very beautiful sweaters thanks for sharing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277424 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:22:38 +0000 Angie 2277424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WOW, <b>Merwoman.</b> You knit beautifully! Stunning knitwear - and NO pilling </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277416 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 17:25:27 +0000 merwoman 2277416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well here are the results of my very small and personal survey:<br />- sweaters have all been knit in the last year ( I really have enjoyed rediscovering knitting)<br />- I only knit with natural ‘fibres’<br />- sweaters not washed frequently, but when they are, machine wash hand wash cycle</p> <p>Pic one: three sweaters knit from mohair silk blend. Carmel coloured one worn heavily through the winter/ early spring…no pilling.</p> <p><div>Pic two: three sweaters knit from 100% cotton yarn, no pilling, but some stretching.</p> <p>Pic three: Alpacino yarn, blend of alpaca and merino…no pilling</p> <p>Pic four: 100% wool, don’t believe there is any pilling, but it’s packed away for summer.</p> <p>Bear in mind that all of these garments are &lt; one year old, but it sure is interesting.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277403 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 16:12:34 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2277403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mother knit many sweaters for me over the years. The only ones I recall pilling were knit from acrylic yarn, and worn and washed a lot. She also knit cotton or wool sweaters, and I don't recall any pilling on those. Also, not all of the acrylic ones pilled. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-your-homemade-knitwear-pill#post-2277402 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 16:09:52 +0000 Angie 2277402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, everyone. Very interesting!&nbsp; </p>