How to identify the “furball-resistant knit” that no one tells you about.

When researching knitwear that does not pilling, the advice to choose cotton material stands out, but there are many who feel that this is not enough. Such people may be thinking, “I don’t want to choose a knit that will develop furballs after only one or two wears,” or “I want a knit made of a material other than cotton that is not prone to furballs. For those with such needs, we will introduce a slightly maniacal “how to identify knitwear that is resistant to furballs.

What are the key points to keep in mind?Identify knitwear that does not pilling from three perspectives!

To begin with, furballs are clumps of tangled fibers that are ejected from yarns due to friction. If fibers are not ejected from yarns, knitwear will not have furballs, so manufacturers and brands are developing and devising yarns that do not emit fibers from all perspectives. First of all, let us introduce some typical examples!

Perspectives on selecting knitwear that does not produce furballs 1Select knitwear made of materials with long fibers

The most important factor to consider when selecting knitwear is the material. It is said that knitwear made from materials with long fibers before being made into yarn is less likely to have fibers pop out, and less likely to form pilling. Cotton is a typical material with long fibers, so it is often said that “100% cotton knitwear = less likely to form pilling. Other natural vegetable materials such as “hemp” and “silk” are also said to have long fibers and are less likely to form pilling.

On the other hand, wool knitwear, which is made from short wool fibers called “spun wool,” is prone to pilling because the fibers tend to pop out. However, since knitwear made of spun wool has a fluffy appearance and high warmth retention properties, and is often used by top brands, it is important to keep in mind that knitwear made of materials with fibers that easily pop out does not necessarily mean inferior products.

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As a side note, there is a woven fabric called Casentino from the Tuscany region of Italy that has been intentionally given a shaggy or furball-like texture. According to research into its origins, the fabric was originally woven with the fur of the fabric curled on purpose in order to disguise snagging scratches that could occur during outdoor activities.

The reason why synthetic fiber knitwear tends to become furballs is due to the structure of the yarn.

After reading the above section, some of you may be thinking, “If the yarn is made of artificial synthetic fibers, it can be made in any length, so why can’t we make knitwear made of longer fibers and less prone to pilling?” Some of you must be thinking, “Well, if it’s an artificial synthetic fiber, we can make it any length we want. In fact, most synthetic fibers such as polyester, acrylic, and nylon have a firmness of their own, so when they are made into yarn for clothing, they need to be processed into “woolly yarn,” which has a texture similar to woolen yarn. While this gives them a fluffy touch, warmth, and elasticity, it also makes them prone to popping out fibers and forming hairballs.

Perspective on selecting knitwear that does not pilling 2Select knitwear woven with high-twisted yarn

One of the techniques used by manufacturers to prevent fibers from pilling is “twisting”. Twisting is the process of twisting a bundle of fibers to form a single yarn. The stronger the twisting, the denser the yarn and the less likely fibers are to pop out. For this reason, knitwear on the market that is said to be resistant to pilling is often knitted with high-twist yarn.

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Editor Tachibana

Knits woven with high-twist yarn have a unique crisp touch when you pick them up, so there are different tastes. The higher the twist, the less likely it is to form pilling, but at the same time, the softer texture that is unique to knitwear tends to be lost. Understanding the balance between the two will make it easier to select the ideal knit for you.

The sweater worn by the model in the coordinate below is knitted with strong yarns, which are made by further twisting three strands of strong yarns together to make a total of six strands. It has an unparalleled texture with a dry touch that feels comfortable on the skin and a bouncy, chewy elasticity at the same time. What is even more remarkable is its form stability. It will not easily lose its shape even after years of wear, and its durability allows it to remain a mainstay in one’s wardrobe for up to 10 years to come.

Perspectives on choosing a knit that won't pillingChoosing a knit with a fuller grain

The last thing to focus on is the size of the knit loop (grain). A knit with smaller loops and higher density is said to be “degree knit.” The more degree knits are knit, the less likely the fibers are to pop out, and the less likely they are to form pilling. In particular, knitted fabrics with a tight stitch count are in fashion these days, so we recommend that those who want to achieve a highly sensitive coordination check them out without fail.

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Even wool knitwear, which is said to be prone to furballs, is less likely to develop them if it is knitted with a fuller stitch count. If you don’t want to wear a knit that pilling up after just one wear, but can tolerate the hassle of maintenance after five or six wears and a few pilling, you may want to choose a wool knit with a degree of stuffing for your texture preferences. In addition, it is said that high quality wool with fine fibers such as Superfine Merino is less prone to pilling, so choosing a product that discloses the fiber diameter (micron value) and length is also an option.

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