How to fix a pulled stitch
Short answer: Push the loop back with a blunt needle from the wrong side, one millimetre at a time. Never cut it, and never pull the fabric crosswise to make it vanish, because that makes the problem bigger.
What a pulled stitch is
A pulled stitch is a single loop of yarn that has been dragged out of its place by a nail, a zipper or a rough surface. It sits as a small bump or loop on the outside of the fabric, and the fabric around it can pucker slightly, so it looks crooked.
The yarn is not broken
The important thing to know is that the yarn is not broken. It has only moved from its place in the knit. That is why it can usually be pushed all the way back, if you go calmly and do not make it worse. The sooner you act, the easier it is to settle the yarn.
Find the loop on the wrong side
Turn the garment inside out and find the spot where the loop comes through. Lay the fabric flat on a table and smooth it with your hand so you can see where the yarn was pulled. Good light helps a lot, especially on dark fabric, where the loop easily disappears into the texture.
Push the yarn back with a needle
Put a blunt needle into the stitch beside the loop and gently push the yarn back toward where it came from. Do it one millimetre at a time. An ordinary knitting needle or a large needle with a round tip works well, and you need no force, only patience.
Spread the yarn over several stitches
The idea is not to hide the loop in one place but to spread the extra yarn over several stitches, so that no single stitch becomes too loose. Work the yarn on through the neighbouring stitches until the loop is gone. Finally, smooth the fabric lightly with your fingers so the stitches settle.
What you should never do
Never cut the loop off. The stitch then opens and a hole appears that keeps running. Do not pull the fabric crosswise either to make the loop vanish, because that tightens the yarn and makes the damage bigger. A pulled stitch is cosmetic, but a hole is real damage that is hard to fix.
If a faint line remains
If the yarn has been stretched, a faint line can remain even when the loop is gone. That is normal and does not affect how you wear the garment. Do not pull the fabric to remove it, because that usually does more harm than good, and the line will still show.
How to prevent it
Zippers and hook and loop fasteners in the washing machine, and rings and nails in daily life, are the most common causes. Close zippers and fasten hook and loop straps before washing, and put delicate items in a wash bag. File nails smooth and take off large rings when you dress and undress.
Clothes for everyday
If you want to see more clothes for everyday, see bamboo polos for men, bamboo underwear for women and long sleeved bamboo t-shirt for women. Read the care label and wash inside out, so the surface wears less and the yarn does not catch on anything.
Frequently asked questions
Does it disappear completely?
Often yes. If the yarn has been stretched, a faint line can remain, which does not get in the way in daily use. Do not pull the fabric to remove it.
Why does it usually happen?
Zippers and hook and loop fasteners in the washing machine, and rings or nails in daily life. Anything that catches on the yarn can pull a single stitch out of place.
Can you prevent it?
Close zippers before washing and put delicate items in a wash bag. That protects the surface from rough parts in the machine and from other clothes with hooks or hook and loop tape.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
