Pilling in Cashmere: Causes, Remedies and Care

What is Pilling?

Pilling is the appearance of those small "balls" caused by the rubbing of very fine surface fibers that emerge from the yarn because they are not completely fixed by the twist.

We often have a misconception about pilling, thinking it is a quality defect. In reality, it is a frequent and absolutely normal characteristic of cashmere and fine wool.

We prefer a medium/high twist to favor durability and the stability of the garments, so sometimes our sweaters are soft, but rest assured that after washing, they will stabilize and any light pilling will disappear completely after 2 or 3 washes.

Our Choice

When making a pure cashmere sweater, you always have to reach a compromise: you are always faced with the dilemma of choosing between softness or tightening the yarn to avoid the release of fibers that, with continuous use, cause pilling.

The more the yarn is twisted, the more closed it is, and the less soft and fluffy it becomes. Conversely, using a fluffy, soft, and light yarn obtained with few twists will lead to the creation of a very delicate knit that will be ruined in a short time.

Minimizing Pilling

Do not wear a sweater for more than 2/3 consecutive days. Wash it as often as possible; cashmere loves water! Goats live in difficult conditions, outdoors and often in the rain.

When wet, the fibers relax, and as they dry, they return to their original state. This way, your cashmere sweater will be renewed with every wash.

Daily Habits

What is worn over any knitwear should have a smooth surface, with labels or accessories that do not stick out too much.

We recommend paying attention to daily habits: for example, avoid carrying a pen or rigid objects in your pocket to prevent the pilling phenomenon as much as possible.