What am I doing wrong?

[BeTheRabbit]

I've been a bit better off financially lately and so been expanding my wardrobe a bit. Been buying a lot from places like Seasalt, White Stuff etc. More costly than I could previously afford, so pretty high end to me (£50+for a jumper etc) , though I understand not to anyone else. All the items wash really well, keep their shape.. But for the price paid they bobble atrociously.. And even though I debobble it really does spoil them. What am I doing wrong? Or is it just the nature of garments these days? Perhaps I am foolish to expect higher quality for the price paid?

I gave up on such jumpers fir exactly this reason! I now buy ones which I recognise won't bobble because of the fabric (ie not wool) - I think the answer is to get one of those pill removers. I'd be interested in a recommendation. For some reason I've never bought one.

I also find this problem with White Stuff jumpers especially. I now look for cotton jumpers and wear a thermal underneath for warmth. Less itchy and no bobbling! Also easier to wash.

Buy an electric debobbler like this

I remember reading that expensive cashmere didn’t bobble so I bought a Brora jumper - it still got bobbles in the usually places under the arms where they rubbed. I use one of these electric things on all my jumpers regardless of price. It can still be a bit of work but it makes a big difference.

Avoid anything with wool/wool mix. Although merino wool mixed with cotton has been fine for me. As has 100% cotton. I have white stuff jumpers in all of the above and the only one which bobbled was a mix of nylon, viscous, merino, alpaca and cashmere! I blame the latter two ingredients! Using a piling comb definitely helps and you have to be quite vigorous. I never shop without checking the label now. Also, always wash on a wool cycle with wool detergent. And I wash them as little as possible, hang out in fresh air if not actually dirty.

Would washing gently by hand make a difference?

I've just interrupted my rock and roll Saturday night to discover this rather useful article- I hope it helps!

I was told the more quality the fabric the more it bobbles! Sooo annoying!

Any jumper made out of mixed wool, acrylic etc has a very marked tendency to bobble quite badly and just don't last very long at all, quite quickly looking shapeless and past their best.
Although wool on its own will bobble just through wear it's easy to remove using a cashmere comb.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cashmere-Comb-Catherine-Robinson-Featured/dp/B00D3JW3Z0/ref=sr11_2?crid=Z0U9KKBTW8H6&keywords=belinda+robertson+knitwear+comb&qid=1580588068&sprefix=belind%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-2

The jumpers are indeed a wool/polyester mix - 80% wool 20% polyester. Silly me.