Bamboo clothing and what to do about a loose thread
Short answer: Never cut a loose thread on a knitted fabric. Pull it gently through to the inside with a needle, and the stitch stays where it belongs while the front of the fabric looks neat again.
Do not cut it
If you cut the thread on a knitted fabric, the stitch can run. Jersey does not run the way chunky knits do, but the hole grows every time it is pulled. The thread is part of the fabric, and removing it leaves something missing in the stitches. See bamboo T-shirts for men.
Pull it to the inside
Use a needle or a fine crochet hook to pull the thread through to the inside. Push the needle in from the inside right next to the thread, catch it and draw it through gently. There it causes no trouble and cannot catch on anything. Then stretch the fabric lightly in both directions so the stitches settle.
When the thread is long
If the thread is long and has puckered the fabric, first smooth out the pucker by gently stretching the fabric around it. Often most of the thread slides back into the stitches by itself. Only then do you pull the rest through to the inside. Take your time so you do not drag more stitches with it.
Find the cause
Loose threads often come from the fabric catching on a zip, jewellery, a bag or a rough surface. If you find several loose threads in the same place, something is repeating itself, such as a strap or a bracelet. Wash soft clothing in a laundry bag. See washing and care.
Pilling is something else
Pills are small balls of rolled up fibres on the surface, caused by friction. They can be removed with a fabric shaver or a lint comb. A loose thread is a whole thread pulled out of the stitches and should be drawn through to the inside. Never use the shaver on a loose thread. See sweatwear.
Prevent it by sorting
Zips and Velcro in the same machine as soft fabric are the most common cause of loose threads. Close all zips and Velcro before washing, and wash jeans, jackets and sportswear separately if you can. Soft items such as T-shirts and underwear do best with other light clothing. See bamboo T-shirts for women.
Take care during the day
Many loose threads do not appear in the wash but during the day. A shoulder bag with rough edges, a watch with a sharp clasp or a ring can catch a thread without you noticing. Check your accessories if you often find threads in the same place, and choose smooth straps for soft clothing.
When a hole has already formed
If a small hole has already appeared, it can often be closed with a needle and fine thread in the same colour. Sew from the inside with small stitches that gather the loops around the hole without pulling too tight. A small hole closed early rarely grows. If you wait, washing can make it bigger.
Keep a needle handy
It is a good idea to keep a needle or a small crochet hook in a drawer. That way you can deal with a loose thread straight away, before it catches on something and gets longer. It takes less than a minute and helps your soft clothing look good for longer.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cut a loose thread?
No. Pull it through to the inside with a needle instead. If you cut it, the stitch can run or the hole can grow, because the thread is part of the fabric itself.
Where do loose threads come from?
Often from the fabric catching on a zip, jewellery or Velcro in the wash. Bags, watches and rings can also catch a thread during the day without you noticing it.
Is a loose thread the same as pilling?
No. Pills are rolled up fibres and are removed with a fabric shaver. A loose thread is a whole thread pulled out of the stitches, and it should be drawn through to the inside.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
