…but of course you could see this one
comin’ from a million miles away…
I’ll admit it. I love shining shoes.
I also love shaving sweaters ;p
My wool Scoop du Jour made from barn yarn became more and more fuzzy the longer I wore it (all the time). It also got softer and more comfortable! I think sometimes a sweater needs a break-in period to get to its fine comfy wearable place. Like blue jeans…
This was a mixed blessing because as you can see here, the surface of the sweater was littered with pills of all sizes and shapes. The green yarn was from an eBay score and I’m not sure what the wool source was, other than it appeared to be mule spun. Now sometimes that’s great (hard twist = better wear) but depending on the spin and wool content you can get that *adjustment* phase where the yarn sheds or pills because of the soft, short fiber lengths in the yarn. The short fibers come to the surface in places where friction then rubs them together into little balls and a Pill is born…
So it was Off with Its Thread! and using my little shaver (somehow I’ve lost the supersize FuzzMaster), I put the sweater over the smooth padded surface of a dining room chair and had at it. I think you’ll agree that it looks much better now!
And, who could resist looking at the aftermath? Not I. Now those nasty pills are just a harmless pile of fluff…
So you’re a shaver!! I’ve had a shaver, then there was a debate on some list or other about whether or not it was damaging to the fibres and if it wouldn’t just pill more. I’m not a fan of the sweater stone (it is just stanky!!!)and there aren’t many other alternatives.
As clean as a newly-shorn lamb…
Look at all that fuzz that came off! Wow!
I missed the demo at the Fiber Fest of the mules spinning, durn it! As a spinner, I’m not sure how to take that particular phrase either . . .
I love the sweater shaver, though! Seems as though after a good shave, the sweater’s reluctant to pill right away, too.
I’m glad to see this post; I’ve been a little hesitant to shave (or somehow de-pill) my handknits. Do you have any words of wisdom on choosing a sweater shaver or on how to use one? Or is it as simple as just buying one and doing it? :)
So THAT’s the secret to shaving sweaters! I’ve tried before, with very little success – the shaver just didn’t seem to do much of anything. But I wasn’t spreading the sweater taut over a surface – I think that must be the trick! Will definitely try it that way! Thanks!
Hmm. I think I must get one of these….
I used to have a sweater shaver, before I was a knitter. I’ve been thinking of getting another, but want to get one that plugs in instead of using batteries. Nothing kills a buzz like a dead battery.
you could save the fluff to stuff or felt?