Finally someone speaks out against the sweater comb. Even high-end shops like Margaret Howell sell it and I always thought "well, I :ust be using it wrong because mine just snags the fabric". It's a dreadful little thing that damages your most precious sweaters.
It’s always felt odd to me that boutiques and exclusive clothes shops still insist on pushing these, alongside chain stores too. We’d not want to return if the retailer had encouraged us to ruin an item of knitwear! Happy de-pilling 🧶
I'm so glad I decided to watch your video before purchasing a sweater comb! I saw one being used by Martha Stewart and thought it'd be the perfect solution for my lumpy sweaters. I was about to order one when I found your video. Thanks for educating us sweater owners :)
I am 70 and I didn't know about the little brown one that they sell I have one and was using it all the time, now I will go out and buy a battery depiller thanks again
Hannah, I feel so thankful to have found your video. It was extremely helpful (I'm from Florida and had no clue, though it sounds very useful to regular sweater wearers). Also, it was so well made and you have such a calming, pleasant demeanor that I really enjoyed the process. Thank you! I'm sharing this with my mother.
40 years ago, my woollen sweaters did not need depilling. It was unheard of back then. I think it's caused by very poor quality wool, and now poor quality acrylic. And even expensive knitwear is made of this poor quality wool.
With the shorter fibres and fleeces that make the yarn now it’s more prone to pulling unfortunately. I have found that after a few full treatments it then only needs occasional touching up. 🧶
@@KnitWithHannah Why do they use shorter wool fibres when it causes so much pilling on the garments? The answer must be because it's cheaper. The quality is so bad. Thankyou
I'm so glad you made this video. I find someone who knits and knows about different types of yarns and fibres more knowledgeable and credible than quick viral hacks accounts. 💖💐
Thank you so much for this, I have tried looking for things like this in the past, but none used items I already had at home! I will definitely be using these tips!
Very useful info. I tried the battery operated thingy, did not work, tape, lint brush, lint roller, did not work. The Razor worked! Yay! Thank you for this!❤
Glad you found a way that worked. It can completely depend on the type of fabric to which works better. I switch between battery razor and manual, and will use scissors on some too. Happy depilling! 🧶
I was too, until I investigated why I didn’t seem to have any long-lasting improvement from my efforts. So glad we’re on the right track now! Happy depilling. 🧶
Hello, thank you so much for the video! 1. Which brand of the depilling machine do you use? Could you send a link? 2. For a bit more delicate/chunky knitwear, would you still use the machine? Xx
I’ve found one is generally as good as another. Mine is a Waken WK-101 For thicker knitwear I do use the shaver, but If the texture is very bumpy and stretching it out doesn’t help I’ll go for carefully using the small pair of scissors.
I have an issue with a cardigan that has pills so large that they won't fit through the holes on the motored depiller. I was wondering if they make ones with larger holes for such purposes.
In these cases I go for individually snipping them off with scissors. Might take a few sessions, but take your time it’ll be done much more neatly and cleanly this way.
Is it possible to revitalize an old black sweatshirt with a shaver + dye it with black dye? Should I remove the bobbles first and then wash the shirt with dye? What would be the best order to do this thing?
On a coat I use a pair of small sharp scissors very carefully for each bobble one at a time. The shaver might work, but it will depend on the fabric that you’re working with.
I've done this carefully with large adhesive tape. And also (don't tell!) I lick my hand and wipe it over the fabric, which means the lint clumps together thanks to the moisture. Happy de-linting!
Thank you so much! I bought a lovely jacket a few weeks ago but I go to university every day so my jackets tend to bobble in no time, even the new ones. I use razors most of the time but the jackets texture don't seem right to me after it. Is it wrong to use it with heavy jackets? I also bought an electric bobble remover but I think it doesn't work well. Do you recommend a specific brand?
The jacket fabric will make a difference. A coat I had with a loose weave needed individual bobbles cut with scissors. Once I’d done it a few times there wasn’t a problem anymore.
The best option is to use the de-piller before washing and use a low-agitation and low-temperature cycle or hand wash. I have a machine with a wool cycle, which serves well.
May I please enquire about the benefit of the depill then wash? I’ve done it the other way round. I wonder if the sequence helps? Btw, I could here all day and depill. I find it soothing and makes the garment look new. I’ve got a Phillips, I am not sure if your brand is readily available where I am. Thankyou for your video xx
Hi Jennifer, I talked about this in the declutter love this week, if you’d like to see the full explanation. Basically as soon as you wash something, the warm water and agitation will felt the pills together even just a little bit if you’re washing in hand-temperature and low agitation, so it’ll be more difficult to remove the pills once it’s dry.
My grandmother just knit me the most beautiful sweater, but sadly, after only one wear, it started to make these awful large fluffs, not even pills. It feels like an acrylic yarn. I definitely won't be able to shave it off, and I'm scared to use a batery depiller. But I don't think I'll be able to get rid of it all with a pair of scissors, and if I will, it will take ages 😭
Yes, the newer yarns are more often made with shorter fibres, so the pills appear more readily. The electric shaver will work quite well as the guard is there between the cable and the blade, it’s just a case of stretching out the cables to make it a smoother shave.
