Jumpers/sweaters

I've generally been pleased with House of Bruar things, haven't bought jumpers though.

I have an M&S aran jumper, so old it has a St Michael label 😀. This is what I mean when I say that not all fibres are equal.

I bought two lambswool sweaters from Woolovers last winter, this winter they are not even fit for a charity shop. I also bought one from House of Bruar which cost the same and it's still like new. It's just about choosing the right place to buy them I think.

I am also using up my husband’s M&S lambswool pullovers. They still wash well and have never pilled. For years I bought lambswool crew necked sweaters from Edinburgh Woollen Mill. Lived in them. They were superb. Washed and wore very well and never needed debobbling. Then they changed the brand and the yarn and were dreadful. I am down to the last of the original brand now and shall be very sad when it finally wears out.

Older numbers???
jumpers

Sorry!

I think older numbers have a higher twist in the yarn.
They are therefore stronger so less likely to bobble.

That is certainly true of mine. You can see how "airy" and relaxed modern jumper woolen yarn seems to be if you compare it to old ones.

I am using up my late husband’s wool jumpers. He bought good quality and they are so warm. I have to make sure the wool doesn’t touch my skin though, but layers sort that out. They haven’t bobbled.

I can’t wear any sort of wool next to my skin except when it’s extremely cold and then it’s cashmere. I hate manmade fibres but sometimes have no choice. 😢

I tend to wear cashmere or merino wool mix. Some of them are at least 10 years old, but I do treat them very carefully especially when storing them over the summer.
They are expensive, but as they last cost per wear is minimal.
Manmade fibres do bobble quickly.

Cashmere combs like this one (available from Amazon and elsewhere) are gentler on woollens than batter operated shavers. They only work on natural fibres though.

I think woollens are one of those items on which it is worth spending more to get quality. Natural fibres look better and wear better, are less 'sweaty' and don't need washing as often as manmade ones. You should air wool jumpers more often than you wash them. Not only that, but there are grades of yarn. One ball or garment in 100% wool (or cashmere or alpaca etc) is not necessarily as good as another, and generally speaking you do get what you pay for.

A good jumper should last and look good for years (if you can keep the pesky moths off it and are willing to hand wash it and dry it flat ). They can be expensive, but it's like the Vimes boots principle - if you can afford a good one it will work out cheaper than having to buy several cheap ones.

Certainly recommend a battery operated bobble remover. I use it whenever I come to wash my jumpers to keep them in good order. They work a treat but you do it before it becomes a chore or you will still resent the bobbles.

I bought a jumper from Next recently and it bobbled so badly after a couple of washes I wouldn’t even send it to the charity shop.

I tend to buy cotton jumpers and cardigans as the fibre does not pill.

This is the sort of thing and I also have some from White Stuff.

www.seasaltcornwall.com/makers-organic-cotton-blend-jumper