Recommend me some wool that doesn't pill?

[cristeen]

Or at least one that doesn't pill so easily?

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but I'd like it if I weren't constantly pulling pills off my non-mobile babies longies.

[Annie Mac]

First off, I'm assuming by wool you mean fabric? Or are you actually knitting your own and really mean specifically sheep fleece spun into yarn? Either way. Synthetics pill more often than natural fibres. Natural fibres can pill too though, depending on the way they have been processed. If the fabric has been knit loosely (to save thread and money), pilling is more likely to happen. If the yarn used to make the fabric hasn't been twisted very many times (again, a money/labour saving technique of the manufacturer's), you can get pilling. Basically, the more money you spend, the less pilling you will have. Given how fast babies grow out of things, a little pilling may be something you can live with You can also try washing them inside out and washing them on a shorter cycle.

[zoebugsmom]

I've had good luck with Plymouth Galway and Harrisville Highland wool. I've heard Peace Fleece is good about not pilling but haven't used it myself.

[Think of Winter]

Pilling and felting happens with soft wool. The softer, the more pilling. If you love really soft stuff, go for a yarn that has more plies. Single ply purewool is heavenly soft and pills like crazy. Three ply still pills, but it's a little better.

Pf doesn't really pill, but it's awfully scratchy for babies. I used it on my girl, and once she got old enough to tell me, she wouldn't wear it any more.

I have heard that the softest yarn that is also durable is blue faced leicester.

How about getting one of those electric pill removers? I think pills are a huge pain, but I love soft wool.

[iowaorganic]

Anything super soft will pill- I think the most expensive yarns are the worst to care for. PF will not pill- it is also felt resistant (you really really have to work to felt it). But it is scratchy- albeit awesome for crawlers. I have had fairly good luck with cascade and bfl not pilling too much. Tonight I spluged on a little malabrigo for the future- and I know that will pill like no other. it is the curse of amazing softness.

[honeybunmom]

I like cestari fine merino and blackberry ridge merino. They are both soft enough for babies, IMO, and do not pill. My 9 mos old just started crawling around on our hard wood floors and my favorite longies for him right now are his blackberry ridge merino, ones. I'm currently working on a pair in O-wool and don't think this will pill a lot. The Gaia organic merino ones? One big giant pill ball. Uber soft, but uber pilly, too.

[Artichokie]

i second cestari fine/superfine merino.

[honeybunmom]

Originally Posted by honeybunmom

I like cestari fine merino and blackberry ridge merino. They are both soft enough for babies, IMO, and do not pill. My 9 mos old just started crawling around on our hard wood floors and my favorite longies for him right now are his blackberry ridge merino, ones. I'm currently working on a pair in O-wool and don't think this will pill a lot. The Gaia organic merino ones? One big giant pill ball. Uber soft, but uber pilly, too.

Just wanted to add that I was totally wrong about the O-wool. After one crawling session they looked like they'd been stomped on and kicked around. Just horrible.

[weliveintheforest]

I agree that Peace Fleece is good for not pilling, and although it's not as soft as others, we find it's fine after a few washes.

[berrymama]

I like Paton's Wool for an easily available soaker/longie wool. It pills some, some not terribly. I use a disposable razor to 'shave' off the pills and it makes the wool look like new.

[pumpkin]

Its not cheap, but we love all our covers made with Three Irish Girls Lindon Merino. Its so superior to everything else we have used that DH wholeheartedly supports me just using it exclusively as we go up in sizes.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

peace fleece is a great non-pilling, durable wool for longies. And if you give it a soak in some hair conditioner, I think it's quite soft and lovely. Cestari (even the non-fine merino - the regular columbia/merino blend) has been my favorite farm yarn for many, many years

[Mama~Love]

Originally Posted by pumpkin

Its not cheap, but we love all our covers made with Three Irish Girls Lindon Merino. Its so superior to everything else we have used that DH wholeheartedly supports me just using it exclusively as we go up in sizes.

ITA w/ Three Irish Girls Lindon Merino. My mom crocheted me a soaker from it a few years ago, and it's held up beautifully! Hardly any pilling, I think I used the shaver just a couple of times on it.

[honeybunmom]

Originally Posted by pumpkin

Its not cheap, but we love all our covers made with Three Irish Girls Lindon Merino. Its so superior to everything else we have used that DH wholeheartedly supports me just using it exclusively as we go up in sizes.

I have some of this to knit up for ds and it is similar in feel to cestari and blackberry ridge. And, after digging a little into The Knitter's Book of Wool, I'm learning that woolen spun wool (which all of these appear to be) is definitely my preference for longies/soaker.

[CanBoo]

Got a Corriedsale blend on Etsy that I love. Not super soft, but not too rough either after a couple washes and pills very little.
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction...on_id=18592005