Sweater pilling - how to avoid?

Alecia

I find that the sweaters I buy often pill and then I don't want to wear them. Are there yarns that do this less than others? I'd like to avoid buying pilling sweaters, if that's possible.

In the meantime, do you have strategies for sweaters that do this to refresh their look?

Thanks all.

17 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from Alecia

shiny

Veteran

I will be curious to hear other's answers. I think pilling comes with the territory. I have had sweaters somehow pill while in storage - how does that happen??? I think you are supposed to shave them off; usually I just pull the pills off.

I have best luck with merino wool sweaters. The finer-gauge ones don't pill so much. Check out BR's merino wool cardis, as an example. I have had BR merino wool sweaters for years and years - no pilling. That's not necessarily true about ALL merino, just the finer-weave ones.

17 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

I use this little gadget, "fabric shaver." It has a couple of spinning razors under a protective cap (so you don't hurt your fingers) and it removes the pills from all kinds of fabric. Works like a charm! I give my sweaters a make-over with it at the beginning of each winter season, it makes a world of difference.
You can buy them at target:
http://tinyurl.com/6jlonz
or amazon:
http://tinyurl.com/6zawdx

Now, I don't know which of these brands is better. I got mine in Germany a couple of years ago. It looks a little different but works with the same principle. I strongly recommend this little thing, but maybe someone else can chime in on which of these brands available in the US is better. You can also read the reviews in order to help you decide.

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

All sweaters will pill eventually. Sweater shavers will extend their life a bit. I also avoid acrylic like the plague. I will not get anything with over 15% acrylic--no exceptions, even if it's perfect in every other way. It pills the instant you touch it, it seems. I also find that finer gauge knits pill significantly less. Thicker/chunkier yarns seem to be more prone to snags and little fuzzies that eventually bind together and form pills. I have this sweater dress and the knit is so fine that it doesn't even feel like a sweater. I can't imagine it ever pilling.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....038;color=

17 years ago

Anonymous

I have used a nail/hand brush to brush pills off sweaters, but you need to do it often. Shaving is probably better. I'll join the praises of fine merino wool for not pilling. It's too early yet to tell, but I suspect that my newest sweaters that are a blend of silk and wool or a blend with nylon will not be as prone to pill.
Has anyone noticed if the blends are better?

17 years ago

BLB

(website)

Active Member

I have two sweaters with silk in the blend, and they haven't pilled a single bit. Everything else seems to.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

I have had knits in a rayon blend - they have a slight sheen to them - that don't pill. That is about all.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

I second Shiny on merino wool. I have several merino sweaters that held up very well over the years (esp. Club Monaco ones). The only thing I noticed with BR sweaters lately - it seems like their quality has gone down, even merino.

I use a regular disposable shaver - you have to be pretty careful but it does a good job.

17 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

Thanks, all. I tried one of the sweater shavers. It seems to do the trick.

17 years ago

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