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Pilling, the dreaded enemy of knitted fabrics. You’ve probably come across those unsightly little clumps or balls of yarn on your favorite sweater or cozy socks. But do you really know what causes pilling? Let me break it down for you.

Abrasion, my friends, is the culprit behind pilling. As you wear and clean your knitted garments, friction occurs, causing the yarn to separate. This separation leads to short fibers loosening and clumping together into those familiar little balls we call pills. And to make matters worse, sometimes lint decides to join the party, making the pills even more noticeable.

Now, where is pilling likely to rear its ugly head? Well, my friends, the areas of your knitted garments that experience the most friction are the usual suspects. Think underarms of sweaters, jackets, and dresses, the undersides of sleeves, sock heels, and the inner thigh area of shorts and pants. And if you spend your days sitting at a desk, areas that come into regular contact with your furniture or equipment, like cuffs or wrists, elbows, and front trunk areas, may also fall victim to pilling.

Oh, but fear not! There are ways to minimize pilling. When selecting yarn for garments prone to abrasion, be sure to inspect it and read the manufacturer’s label. Delicate yarns may pill more easily, so take note of laundering instructions. If the yarn separates easily when manipulated, it’s more likely to pill. Opt for higher ply count and tightly twisted yarns, as they are less prone to pilling. But don’t dismiss delicate yarns altogether! You can reinforce susceptible areas with color-coordinated nylon thread or even knit with a double strand, combining delicate yarn with a more durable one. You may also want to reserve delicate yarns for less stressful garments.

When it comes to laundering, hand washing is your best friend. Avoid machine laundering whenever possible. Treat your knitted garments with care, squeezing them gently instead of twisting, wringing, or rubbing. But if hand washing is not an option, consider dry cleaning, though it comes with a higher price tag. Machine washing? Turn your garments inside out and wash them on the gentle cycle with similar delicate items. And leave plenty of room for your knitted garment to move freely during agitation. Also, consider using fabric softeners to reduce static cling and add a liquid softener to the wash cycle to lessen lint attraction.

But what if pills have already taken hold? Fear not, my friends! There are tools you can use to safely remove those pesky pills. Lay your garment on a flat, hard surface, making sure only a single thickness rests on your workspace. Test the tool on a small, inconspicuous area first. Work in one direction or in small circular motions, depending on the tool. The key is to have good lighting and a clear view as you work.

You can find special purpose tools like sweater shavers, sweater stones, and depilling combs at sewing and craft stores. These are designed specifically for pill removal and are generally safe to use. If you don’t have these tools on hand, fine grit commercial sandpaper or Velcro can also do the trick.

However, my friends, there are riskier tools you should approach with caution, such as disposable safety razors and scissors. These tools have a higher risk of damaging the fabric, so use them carefully and follow the guidelines.

In a nutshell, pilling is a common issue in knitted fabrics, but with some know-how and the right tools, you can fight back and keep your garments looking fresh and pill-free.
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Ihab Salloum