Bamboo clothing and what to do about a loose thread

Short answer: Never cut a loose thread on a knitted fabric. Pull it carefully through to the inside with a needle, and the stitch stays where it belongs.

Do not cut

If you cut the thread on a knitted fabric, the stitch can ladder. On jersey it does not ladder like knitwear, but the hole gets bigger from pulling. See bamboo T-shirts for men.

Pull it to the inside

Use a needle or a crochet hook to pull the thread through to the inside. There it does not bother you and cannot catch on anything.

Find the cause

Loose threads often come from the fabric catching on a zip or a piece of jewellery. Wash soft clothing in a wash bag. See washing and care.

Pilling is something else

Pills are rolled up fibres and can be removed with a fabric shaver. A loose thread has to be pulled through. See sweat clothing.

Prevent with sorting

Zips and velcro in the same machine as soft fabric are the most common cause. See bamboo T-shirt for women.

Frequently asked questions

Can you cut a loose thread?

No. Pull it through to the inside with a needle instead.

Where do loose threads come from?

Often from the fabric catching on a zip, a piece of jewellery or velcro in the wash.

Is a loose thread the same as pilling?

No. Pills are rolled up fibres and are removed with a fabric shaver.