Pilling is the small balls of fibre that form on the surface of a fabric with wear and washing. It is one of the most common complaints about knitwear and T-shirts, and the yarn plays a big part.
Why fabric pills
- Loose surface fibres. Hairy yarn has many fibre ends that rub together and form pills.
- Short fibres. Short fibres work loose more easily than long ones.
- Low twist. Lightly twisted yarn holds fibres less firmly.
- Fibre type. Polyester holds on to pills that cotton would shed, so some blends show pills for longer.
Yarn choices that help
- Combed yarn. Combing removes short fibres, so the surface is cleaner.
- Compact yarn. Compacting lays down surface fibres and lowers hairiness.
- Suitable twist. A firmer twist holds fibres in place, balanced against softness.
- Cotton-rich blends. A higher cotton content tends to shed pills rather than keep them.
Fabric and finishing
A tighter knit and finishing steps such as singeing or anti-pill treatment also reduce pilling. Test the fabric for pilling before you commit to bulk. Read more on yarn hairiness and compact yarn.
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