Archive of Thread: a question of yarn Back

2 years ago
Remaining on a cone, I have 675 grams (1lb 8 ozs) of a two ply yarn, 75% superfine alpaca and 25% wool...it feels gorgeous.
When I have used this previously for a sweater the pilling is terrible after just one or two wears. Is there anything I can do to inhibit piling before I knit it up.  Somewhere I have read that a tighter tension is better than a looser one.  Would using wax help?  Any ideas? Even a suggestion to knit something other than a sweater that is less likely to pill.
Thanks and Happy New Year to all
Jo

2 years ago
Hi Josephine!
I'm not a spinner, but it seem to me the pilling is due to the length of the spun fibers.  I don't think there is anything you can do about it, except remove the pills when they form on the finished garment.

I've seen a number of "shaving" devices for knits.  Here's one from our friends at handknitting.com

https://www.handknitting.com/The-Gleener-p/gleener.htm

2 years ago
Thanks  Sue...I have tried that but it doesn't really work satisfactorily.
I think that I will give it to someone I know who does felting. Or just knit an under sweater. 
I wonder tho, what is the best yarns to buy that do not pill.