How to battle the scourge of the jumper wearer? This week's question: Which organisms are most beneficial to humans without us realising? One reader, Helen, asks: 'The inside of my jumpers and cardigans never become bobbled, despite the friction that must occur. So why can’t the pieces be sewn together inside out?'
Readers Reply
Bobbling can be caused by friction, but other factors include fibre type, softness, stitch, and washing method. Daisy Robinson explains that knit stitch (outside) bobbles more than garter stitch (inside) because vertical fibres face more horizontal friction. One option is to produce garments using the 'wrong side' of the fabric, but garter stitch knits can look backwards.
The outside of a garment always experiences more friction from arms, bags, and seatbelts, while the inside is protected against a T-shirt or vest. Softer fibres like acrylic, merino wool, and loosely spun yarns bobble faster than rustic Norwegian wool. Synthetic knitwear bobbles most, but a debobbler comb can restore garments.
Another reader invested in a battery-powered debobbler, finding the sound satisfying. teaandchocolate uses old disposable razors to shave bobbles, keeping fabric taut. HemingfieldTwit now washes clothes inside out after reading labels, noting that jumpers and jeans wash more quietly and logically.
FrankieandDexy reports a cotton sweatshirt that bobbled after less than two days of casual wear. smokeyenginedrive suggests making firelighters from harvested bobbles, similar to tumble dryer lint, by placing fluff in egg box holes, pouring molten wax, and cooling to create effective fire starters.
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