Bobbles on jumpers

Bluebelle But we can’t all afford expensive wools GSM mine are mostly acrylic

Merino doesn’t have to be expensive. I’ve got several Merino sweaters from Uniqlo, they don’t bobble, they don’t itch and they’re much warmers than acrylic.
They currently have some on sale for £14.99.

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-100pct-extra-fine-merino-ribbed-turtleneck-jumper-439154.html

Thank you Mollygo.

nannafizz

Mollygo, what make is your bobble remover?

It’s called Bobble Off. My cousin sent it ages ago and I’ve used it ever since.

I have a (quite old) bobble remover and it works on everything. Even on rayon fabrics that have loose threads. You have to make sure that the fabric is laid out perfectly flat.

I bought a cashmere jumper a few years ago.from M&S But after a few wearing , it bobbled , I shaved it but the bobbling came back , it looked awful so it went in the recycling bag. Very disappointing
being cashmere and quite a lot more expensive than I normally would pay for a jumper,

I buy very few clothes BlueBelle. The last jumper I bought was in the sale from a menswear catalogue four years ago. Merino isn’t a hugely expensive wool and it lasts so well, no bobbling.

I have a bobble shaver which works very well but it is about 40 years old, just needing an occasional new battery.

They don't make 'em like they used to.

But we can’t all afford expensive wools GSM mine are mostly acrylic but it’s only the last few years that I ve notice the problem
I ll try the razor game but not holding my breath like you nannafizz think I might go through the jumper

but cheap disposable razors from poundland etc.
the mens ones are usually cheaper, exactly the same but not pink.

This is why I don’t buy cashmere or lambswool any more, only merino.

Mollygo, what make is your bobble remover?

I have tried everything and given up - I just get cheap jumpers now. I get too fed up when an expensive jumper is awash in bobbles within a couple of wearings. Tesco here I come!

I wasn’t successful with a razor. My bobble remover works, not just on jumpers but on my coat as well. My cousin bought it for me when I complained about bobbles. Perhaps I just got lucky.

Just nipped upstairs to see if any of my bobbly jumpers are from sea salt - sadly not!

I don't think washing them inside out will prevent the bobbles forming. They come from everyday wear and regular movement, such as where your arm rubs against your side,

I wouldn't be surprised if washing them inside out didn't make it worse, in fact, as more areas would be rubbing together in that situation.

If you have a Seasalt jumper, you can take it to one of their shops and they will debobble it for you. So it must be a problem. Often happens with light yarns like cashmere and angora.

Yes, agree with Gagajo simply use a disposable razor - works very well.

Thanks Gagajo, I’ll give that a try . Though knowing me I’ll probably shave hole in the jumper!

I have read that you should wash clothes inside out to help prevent bobbling. I don't know if that's correct, but I always wash inside out.

I don't know about the best way of removing them though, sorry.

Same as Gagajo

Just use a regular, disposable razor. The kind ladies use for their legs or underarms. Lay the sweater very flat. Hold it with one hand and shave carefully in the opposite direction.

Works brilliantly.

I know it isn’t any help for you but I think because of profit thé fibres are shorter, which cause the bobbles. I don’t know if anyone else will agree with me but my very old cashmere jumpers wear better than ones I bought eight years ago. In fact, I have stopped buying them because I got disgusted.

The comb will probably be more useful, and it won't snag on your knitwear.

Thank you for replies .
The shaver I tried just seemed to glide over the bobbles , and filled up very quickly . One of my jumpers is definitely all wool. I’m not sure about the others , they may well have some acrylic in them, though I tend to avoid acrylics. The comb looks good , think I might get one of those .

I don't know why the shavers aren't working - mine is very effective, and I only use it once in a while, as it makes jumpers thinner.

I usually use a cashmere comb, which is gentler but still gets any pills off natural fibres (any - not just cashmere).

I don't wear acrylic, but maybe that's the problem? Woollen fibres are softer and will snap easily, so the shaver/combs can collect the bobbled strands, but acrylic might be too strong to snap (it's basically plastic).

This is a cashmere comb (available all over, but also on Amazon, for about a fiver).