Am I too rough for knitwear? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Am I too rough for knitwear?

Elly

Veteran

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.

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.

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from Keix

Tania

Veteran

I think the pilling can be related to fiber quality/length of fibers. I have worn some organic knitwear for years through rough and frequent use (daily, housework, yardwork) with almost no pilling, but I've bought other stuff that pills after one wear. I used to use a fabric shaver for my kids' woolens, but I've had 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!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I really don't believe that price is an indicator of whether something will pill. I've had $20 sweaters not pill and $200 sweaters pill. I would read reviews if possible and I am now wary of spending a significant sum on a piece of knitwear.

Anonymous

As Janet says. 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. My most expensive sweaters pill almost immediately - especially from the seatbelt in my car. It drives me absolutely nuts, because nothing ages and 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. It's the cost of wearing soft sweaters

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

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.

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.

Anonymous

Cashmere is fairly likely to pill. Merino would be better. Maybe the lux sweatshirts?

Peri

Veteran

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 pilled as fast as the under $100 Chaus two I bought.

I wish I had an answer for you. It makes me mad too!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

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.

I don't drive enough without a coat to get seat belt pilling but it makes sense.

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.

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.

Dimity

I was on the Woolovers site recently and wonder if a short sleeved sweater might work for you?
http://www.woolovers.us/lambsw.....eater.aspx
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.

kkards

Veteran

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB.....3465126696
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.

Staysfit

Veteran

I wouldn't worry about the pills. 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. Wear what makes you feel good, and wear it with confidence! Don't break your budget for a high end sweater!!

rachylou

Veteran

I've decided the cutest, warmest sweaters always pill.

rabbit

Veteran

Pills really bug me so I try to inspect sweaters after each wear and shave or fuzz-bust. The most trouble I have is with longer cardigans or sweater/tunics, the part I sit on invariably pills and is kind of a big area to deal with. I agree that acrylic is a no go for me unless it's a really small percentage.

Thrifted sweaters are actually were I've had the most luck with not pilling. If it hasn't pilled significantly in its former life, it's usually a good bet for holding up under additional wears. Also I have better luck with chunkier knits than thin soft ones with small stitches. I had an old 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. Not the softest thing in the world though.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

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.

Keix

Veteran

The softer the sweater, the more likely it is to pill.

I try not to worry about it too much, and I use an electric sweater shaver a few times a year to clean up.