Yarn help

[Asinnerzprayer]

When you finish a project, after awhile the yarn has what I call fuzzies. It's where the yarn has pieces that come off. Anyway, is there a way to prevent this?

[Granny Square]

Aside from not using the thing, no.  It will pill where something rubs against it, like for me a sweater pills at the cuffs and the front mostly (I think from having projects in my lap, and working at the kitchen counter.)  All yarns pill to some extent (natural and man-made), it has to to with how it's plied and how long the fiber is.

 

In fact, I just finished shaving the pills from a couple of sweaters I just washed.  You can use a people shaver too (the non-electric kind; the electric fabric shavers accommodate bigger 'whiskers), or they have stones for shaving knit items (have never used one of these).

 

Also, if you don't hand wash an item separately, it can pick up fibers from other things which add to the pill balls.

[CraftyCasey]

Have you tried putting it in one of those mesh bags meant for delicates when you wash it? You could also try only washing it on the gentle cycle. ????

[Granny Square]

I just thought of something else, washing it inside out helps somewhat, also hand washing.  The laundry bags do help.  

 

I think all of these hints slow it down a bit, but it's still going to pill eventually unless it sits on a shelf.