THE DREADED BOBBLES. What do you do with yarns that pill?

Are pills ruining your finished projects? Do you blink, and bobbles appear before your eyes? Sometimes the most beautiful yarns can knit up to make a fabric that pills really badly. It's due to the nature of the yarn construction: its fibre content, spin and ply. So what should you do about knitting with yarns that pill? In this episode of Your Knitting Problems Solved, I explore why certain yarns pill and offer 5 tips for how to deal with pilling (and whether you should just throw it all straight in the bin...)
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Jump to:
00:00 Intro
00:00 Why yarns pill
07:06 Slow fashion and making things that last
10:41 Plan of action
10:48 Tip 1: knit the yarn at a tighter tension
12:09 Tip 2: knit objects which avoid abraision
14:06 Tip 3: reserve it for ocasional use
15:48 Tip 4: use for informal clothing
17:52 Tip 5: just say no
Thank you to Micah for sending your question for this video. Ravelry: Micahbel www.ravelry.com/people/micahbel
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Salvia hat knitting pattern:
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[@nicolenewell4912]

Enjoying your new series! I really appreciated your point about price - I'm always surprised when I see people leave negative reviews on cashmere yarn because it's so expensive and still pills, but that's the nature of cashmere with the short fibers that make it so soft! I tend to avoid single ply yarns since those can be more prone to pilling, but otherwise I use a Gleener to de-pill my knits when needed, and just think of it as a normal part of my handknits maintenance, like washing them. I think having a good tool that you are comfortable using helps so it doesn't seem like such a hastle. I like the Gleener but there are lots of options out there!

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

Yes! I appreciate your realistic attitude 🤗

[@Woeschhuesli]

I adore West Yorkshire Spinners‘ Fleece that is BFL, I‘ve now used it for four cardigans. It pills badly but I just shave it when necessary, that doesn‘t stop me using it. I do avoid single plied yarns sfter realising how badly they pill (Malabrigo!!) even though they‘re very soft snd the colours are gorgeous. Higher twist helps a lot. To me, normal pilling snd regular care are just part of it, tho‘.

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

I have also been a sucker for those single-ply yarns...no more!

[@arielog1941]

nice to see you again.
Hope the dissertation is done and dusted.
Namaste

[@user-sr7sq3kh2m]

I try to avoid but on the occasion that I have the pilling issue, I trim the pills regularly until the piece becomes a scrappy around the property functional item not worn for show.

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

It definitely helps to keep on top of things by depilling regularly 👍🏻

[@linfox7828]

I’ve got loads of pilling on a cashmere type wool cardigan I knit. Very disappointed ☹️

[@cynthiaricecindy8295]

Hello I'm knew to your chanel but I got a question I'm making a pair of socks and it is happening to me help.love your videos.

[@jeanneb6320]

So from this videos I garner that not all yarns will pill in the long run? Or are we simply talking about the extent of the pilling?

[@TheCrimsonStitchery]

There are lots of variables which you can use to try and predict the pilling, from the composition of the yarn to the way you use the finished object👍🏻 🤞🏼