WTF is with all the Nylon jumpers

[HostaCentral]

Can't find a jumper. So many seem to be nylon blends. What is going on?? I don't want a nylon jumper, and I don't want to pay £100 for it, recycled or not. Sea Salt, Fat Face, White Stuff, M&S, Oliver Bonas etc etc

See also Mohair blends, all the rage this year, but soooo itchy.

Wool is sustainable, recyclable, degradable, and farmers are literally burning it because they can't sell it. Make it make sense.

Also, as I am having a grumble, they are all cut short, and round neck or funnel neck, and I want v neck and longer, not tunic, just not cut at my belly button!

I have bought a couple from Uniqlo, in Merino, lovely, but my favourite V Neck they have changed the style to a really high V like a mans jumper. Why? Are we scared of a bit of boob now??

Thanks - I didn't know they were a UK family company but that's a definite bonus!

I also like that they use a few - rather elegant - older models... 😁

There's a video with Patrick Grant (from Great British Sewing Bee) comparing a synthetic jumper with a wool one he's had for years. I can't find it, I think it popped up in my FB timeline. He makes the point that if you spend a lot of money on top quality it lasts.

Viscose, and it's various incarnations are actually made from wood pulp but it's so heavily treated with horrible chemicals it might as well be synthetic. I've stopped buying it.

I've concluded the only way to get the knitwear I want is to knit it myself. There are quite a lot of smallish UK producers who will actually tell you which breed of sheep their yarn is from.

If you can't knit, now is a good time to learn since it's nearly winter! It's easy, and relaxing. Ask around and you'll find someone who can show you the basics. That's all you need.

@ChocolateCinderToffee yes I've seen that Patrick Grant video too, very good. I knit, but not to the standard to make a good fair isle type jumper. So for me I've decided to spend more per jumper to get 100% wool, but buying only one or two per year max, on sale where possible, and keeping them for a very long time. I also look after them obsessively - mend, guard against moth, debobble, and wash extremely carefully. Woolovers often offer good discount codes if you get their catalogue and I've also found House of Bruar codes online sometimes. A good jumper these days has become like a good coat, an Investment Piece!

I would actually buy a small percentage of nylon because it makes it harder wearing. But not 80%!

This is one place you can buy ethical wool (raw, spun or carded) - she has a flock of about 300 rescue sheep which obviously have to be shorn for welfare reasons. If anyone thinks this is morally wrong then 🤷‍♀️
Sheep sanctuary

Another place that is commercial but organic and very high welfare and sells knitting yarn is Tamarisk Farm. I have made some lovely socks recently from their Hebridean. They may also have raw fleeces. Beautiful but not cheap. (And if you knit socks without a small percentage of nylon you will have to do more darning; these were for my dad who doesn’t walk very much!)

If you’re after super cheap British raw fleece and you don’t know any farmers there’s a group on Facebook called something like the UK greasy fleece marketplace.

Same 😂

You really don't have a clue, I almost feel sorry for you.

Greedflation

I totally agree - most jumpers are horrible quality for ridiculous prices and I now buy a single pure cashmere jumper every year. I’ve amassed a few now. Cos are amazing quality, wash and wear well. My biggest fear is moths!

I had two recycled wool jumpers -never again. They pilled in no time at all, probably because of shortened fibres. I buy men’s now.

And several of these busty bloaty menopausal women have actual money to spend on clothes, if we could find tops and jumpers that weren't short, boxy and crew neck. But we can't, so that money isn't getting spent. There's a business opportunity here!

bought a recycled fair aisle dress from nylon- it was unwearable so spiky and itchy

Merino would be itchy if you were allergic to wool.

I’m not sure if there’s a response to this later but why is it cruel? I live near a zillion sheep who live in massive fields and on huge moors and are shorn once a year. In the scale of cruelty, I’m not sure this is right up there. Or is something secretly happening that is very unpleasant?

I always pay the extra for wool jumpers. Seasalt have some lovely ones atm. I also buy from wrap and Poetry who use natural fibres. I’ve had some good stuff from wool overs too.
I totally agree about most jumpers these days being so short and boxy. I much prefer a jumper that sits below my waist.

Uniqlo have a v neck cashmere one where the v neck is lower, think it’s about £80.

My best wool jumper is from one of those shops on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, didn’t find the price unreasonable.

Take a look at Celtic clothing website - plenty of attractive knitwear without man made fibres. I have several - quite expensive (£100 +) but I think worth it.

@Greencactusgirl No V neck....

@Invinoveritaz Sea salt are now all blended with nylon. Beware!

Ooooh, how about "not" a v neck, that can be made a v neck, a polo jumper in 100% merino?

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E478333-000/00?colorDisplayCode=15&sizeDisplayCode=003

and

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-half-placket-collar-merino-wool-jumper/berry/p113797000

I think I might have cracked it!

None oof us were talking about allergies there, so buzz off.

A small amount of nylon is beneficial. It makes the yarn stronger.

But only about 5% nylon.

Also keeps the moths away.

I was in a charity shop today and picked up 3 wool jumpers and a woolovers cardi for £29!

I love a bargain to go with my natural
fibres 😄

Bit late to this thread but Nearly New Cashmere has some great options (including v-neck for those who need it!) and they offer a returns service which makes it less stressful than shopping on eBay/Vinted:
www.nearlynewcashmere.co.uk

Some nice cashmere options on Brand Alley at the moment, including V necks and longer length.