"tough on pills, easy on fabric" giveaway

March 30, 2015



Are your knits plagued by pills?  I know the answer is yes.  If you are a hand knitter, then you cannot avoid pills.  All knitted fabric, machine knit or hand knit, will pill at some point, usually only after a few wears.  Fabric pilling is the formation of small, fuzzy balls on the surface of a fabric and is in no way an indication that you have a cheap yarn or garment.   Even the most expensive yarns and fabric can pill.  Certain types of fibers are more prone to fabric pilling than others, but pilling and fuzzing is a normal part of wear and tear. Short or loose fibers on the surface of the knitted garment tend to tangle together and form a tuft or pill. Fuzzier fabrics, like angora, are particularly prone to fabric pilling, since they are characterized by plentiful, loose fibers. The slight abrasion of simply wearing a garment will cause the looser fibers to join together.  You'll find pilling mostly on cuffs and under arms and the sides of your sweater.  

The good news it that pilling will slow down after a time as soon there are fewer loose fibers to pill up.  But in the meantime, we all need an awesome de-piller, and I've found it.  I've been using the Gleener for several years.  While I've owned many de-pillers and de-fuzzers over the years, the Gleener is by far the easiest and the best.  I got my Gleener at Bed Bath and Beyond but they are available at many drug stores and sell for about $20, and well worth the price.  It comes with a lint/hair brush on one end, and at the other end is a de-piller with three interchangeable edges, from light to heavy duty depending on your type of fabric.  The edges are easy to pop on and off, and truly, works like a charm on natural and synthetic fibers.  My entire sweater was filled with tufted pills and it took me less than 3 minutes to brush it back to it's original beauty. For the record, I have used this on even my most delicate knits such as my Kidsilk Haze sweaters and my Angora Haze sweaters.  The tool is thorough, but gentle and every knitter needs one.

I wrote to Gleener and told them how much I loved their product and knew my readers would like it too and asked them to send me one as a giveaway.  Sure, I know that sounds cheeky, but they kindly sent me three!  To enter the giveaway, please be a follower of Knitionary and leave a comment below.  For a second chance, leave a comment on the Knitionary Facebook page under the Gleener picture.  This is open to North American readers only.  I've got 3 to give away and I'll keep this open for a few days.  Good luck! Oh, and make sure I know how to get a hold of you.  The best way is your Rav ID or leave your email.  Thanks!

Before.


We can't avoid pills, but we can fight him!

After:  Tough on pills, easy on fabric.

Fuzz and pills are gone from my pretty sweater!
You can throw out the useless sweater stones and those hopeless shavers, the Gleener is the best!


Thank you to the kind folks at Gleener
The Gleener at Bed, Bath and Beyond
The Gleener at The Grommet
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below.
If you are reading this post from an email, go to this link to leave a comment.
For a second chance to win, leave a comment at the Knitionary FB page.

I just found out there are copy-cat "Gleeners" that are cheap and break easily.
When shopping, make sure you get the real thing.  I've used mine for 2 years.


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Kristen Rettig

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90 Comments

  1. That's my middle nameMarch 30, 2015 at 10:35 AM

    I'm very interested in this product! The majority of my wardrobe is handknit sweaters, lots and lots of wool around here. I've tried the sweater stones without much luck, the battery operated shavers and whatever that red brush is that was all the rage a bit ago.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 30, 2015 at 10:40 AM

    Fantastic give-away. Thank you.

    elaknits2013@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. judyMarch 30, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    Great giveaway! After this winter my sweaters can sure use this

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  4. ElaineMarch 30, 2015 at 10:45 AM

    This de-piller looks just like something I desperately need! I have so many pill-y sweaters, and this would clean them all up. Thanks for this opportunity!
    rav id: laineyhf

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    I would love this to de fuzz my favourite jumpers, so they could be revived for wearing. Looks like I could get as much fuzz as I get off my cats when they are furminated!

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  6. L DoscherMarch 30, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    Fabulous give-away. Thank you :)
    ldjd70@epbfi.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. CannyCatMarch 30, 2015 at 10:54 AM

    Oh yes please, I'd love to try one!

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  8. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 10:55 AM

    Wow, that looks like it works really well! Thanks for doing the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Susan B.March 30, 2015 at 10:59 AM

    Thank you very much for this nice give away.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 11:00 AM

    I have never seen anything like this. I would love to win one.

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  11. Mary DobrianMarch 30, 2015 at 11:11 AM

    I would love to have this :-D

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  12. LBJMarch 30, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    This would be lovely to have as my cat thinks his purposed is to try and EAT all the little fuzzies he can find!

    ReplyDelete
  13. CassondraMarch 30, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    This is exactly what I have been looking for!

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  14. CassondraMarch 30, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    This is exactly what I have been looking for!

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    what a cool tool

    ReplyDelete
  16. NoodlenooMarch 30, 2015 at 11:29 AM

    Would love to own one of these, I get really despondent when clothing I have taken great care to knit become "pill" infested. It would be so lovely to have pill free woollys.

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 11:32 AM

    I could really use Gleaner. Throw my ticket in the bucket.

    ReplyDelete
  18. jhankieMarch 30, 2015 at 11:48 AM

    So much faster than doing it by hand! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 11:48 AM

    I've never even heard of these - I assume it's something similar to a razer? Thanks again for a great blog. Sarah.
    sbellingham88@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. KathleenMarch 30, 2015 at 11:50 AM

    I've been working a lot with possum yarn lately, which is lovely but because of the short fibres it does fuzz up hugely! I've resorted to disposable razors on occasion but this tool would be much better. Thanks for putting this on!
    (RavID: hotlikeginger)

    ReplyDelete
  21. DianeOartMarch 30, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    I would love to try this on my sweaters too, thanks for the great giveaway and great blog.

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 11:59 AM

    Wow! I would love to have this. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    I would love one of these....looks like it does a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  24. K1teach2March 30, 2015 at 12:28 PM

    I have never had much luck with devices that claim to remove pills and there are definitely a couple of sweaters I can't wear anymore because I know I'll end up being irritated by all the pills and obsessively picking them off!

    ReplyDelete
  25. CJBMarch 30, 2015 at 1:09 PM

    I would love one!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Loredana MariottoMarch 30, 2015 at 1:11 PM

    never seen one before... Iwantit!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Suburban prepMarch 30, 2015 at 1:51 PM

    OH my I have seen these on TV and have been wanting one because one of my favorite sweaters that I knit has a pilling issues. I want to be able to wear it. I would so love.

    ReplyDelete
  28. amchartMarch 30, 2015 at 2:20 PM

    I've seen this in action before and would certainly put it to good use in my house!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dun R.March 30, 2015 at 2:49 PM

    I've heard of this but not seen it use. I'd love to win it. Thank you for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  30. PamelaMarch 30, 2015 at 2:53 PM

    Great give away!!
    Pamelammgarcia ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  31. gardendeevaMarch 30, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    I would really love to try this on my Malabrigo sweater! Thank you for the chance.

    gardendeeva on rav

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 3:02 PM

    Thanks for sharing this product, looks like it will do the job properly. With winter coming, I have some clothes to de-pill. I, too, have owned many de-fuzzers and they were quite a waster of my time, and even spoil my knitted garment. MichelleChua on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  33. Samantha TaylorMarch 30, 2015 at 4:01 PM

    Thanks for the chance at what looks like an awesome too. potaylor on raverly

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousMarch 30, 2015 at 5:31 PM

    You convinced me. I just took my 20% coupon to Bed Bath & Beyond and got a Gleaner. Now to try it. Susan B. in Morgan Hill

    ReplyDelete
  35. Helen KingMarch 30, 2015 at 7:51 PM

    I would love to win this. The Glee nervous sounds like an amazing product. My Ravelry name is: rheaume.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Helen KingMarch 30, 2015 at 7:53 PM

    I would love to win this. The Gleener sounds like an amazing product. My Ravelry name is: rheaume.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Marilyn a.k.a. MerryMarch 30, 2015 at 8:00 PM

    I wanna try this!

    ReplyDelete
  38. jennifer.essadMarch 30, 2015 at 8:10 PM

    this would not only help with my knitting projects but w/the natty sweaters we were - thanks for the chance

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  39. AnonymousMarch 30, 2015 at 8:11 PM

    Thanks for this offer. You're always up to good! Rav= pjknitsufos

    ReplyDelete
  40. seashoreknitsMarch 30, 2015 at 8:13 PM

    Thank you for the wonderful giveaway, Kirstin! I have never found a really good de-piller and this one sounds fantastic.
    Your endorsement means a lot :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousMarch 30, 2015 at 9:12 PM

    Wow, this looks really effective and would love to have one. Thanks Kristin! Rav ID-ringleader

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousMarch 30, 2015 at 9:52 PM

    What a treat to win one! Rav ID: Pennster

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousMarch 30, 2015 at 9:53 PM

    Currently I pick the pills off by hand. Isn't that pathetic?! Tamsinb on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  44. Beth FitchMarch 30, 2015 at 10:04 PM

    Love this! We need one in this house. Many handknits. Biscottibeth on ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  45. tktlMarch 30, 2015 at 10:31 PM

    Thank you for being cheeky on our behalf! I needed to know about the Gleaner. I clearly need one.

    tktl on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  46. distractedMarch 30, 2015 at 10:36 PM

    This looks great!
    sandydowns17@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. UnknownMarch 31, 2015 at 12:10 AM

    This is fab! Never heard of this brand before

    ReplyDelete
  48. UnknownMarch 31, 2015 at 12:23 AM

    Would love to win. Thank you for the chance to win giveaway 😄

    ReplyDelete
  49. UnknownMarch 31, 2015 at 3:03 AM

    Would love to win, thanks for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Knittingdancer on RavelryMarch 31, 2015 at 3:27 AM

    This would be great to use on my knits. Thank you for the chance to win one.

    ReplyDelete
  51. EstellaMarch 31, 2015 at 3:44 AM

    Wow, love the handle. I have a DeFuzz comb which works pretty well but is hard to hold onto when you have a huge area to "de-pill". This is wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  52. wildmagMarch 31, 2015 at 4:01 AM

    That looks so much easier to use than my current de-fuzzer. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  53. lmecoll on RavleryMarch 31, 2015 at 4:35 AM

    I really need one of those!!!
    Lmecoll on Ravelry

    ReplyDelete
  54. UnknownMarch 31, 2015 at 4:35 AM

    Perfect timing! My sweaters are long overdue for a "Gleening" and I was just about to order one from Amazon.
    Thanks for the great review and the opportunity to win...............love your blog��
    ndlnook@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. KathleenMarch 31, 2015 at 4:37 AM

    The timing of this post was perfect - my favorite wool sweater is in sorry need of de-pilling.

    ReplyDelete
  56. kimaMarch 31, 2015 at 4:53 AM

    Always wanted one these.
    kamiller@epix.net

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnonymousMarch 31, 2015 at 5:35 AM

    I've been following your blog for a several months and really enjoy it and look forward to it. I've gone back and read it from Day One. Don't stop. The Gleener is the best thing I've seen and I would really love to have one. Best to you, jan.petrosh@troutmansanders.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. MarilynMarch 31, 2015 at 6:01 AM

    If I don't win one, I will surely buy one. Great invention!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Karen RMarch 31, 2015 at 6:14 AM

    Hope I win, I would love to give this a try!

    ReplyDelete
  60. carolMarch 31, 2015 at 6:36 AM

    I have some sweaters that could really use this!

    Carol, ceejay on Rav

    ReplyDelete
  61. UnknownMarch 31, 2015 at 7:00 AM

    I would be so thankful to have a "pill" remover. Thanks so much for the awesome contest, and finding us a fuzz remover that doesn't eat your sweater! I love reading your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  62. sylphetteMarch 31, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    I heard about this product! I'd love to try it on my sweater stash...

    ReplyDelete
  63. cksknitterMarch 31, 2015 at 8:38 AM

    This product would save me time. I usually cut off pills with a scissors.
    Knittoday (at) hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. SueMarch 31, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    Wow! I love to see better products in action! I have to have one of these... so next time I'm at Bed Bath and Beyond I am going to get one. Better yet, I might even win one here!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Caitlin (khalla.almani)March 31, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    This would be a great product to have! I have one toddler and another one on the way... any way I can keep the things I knit for my family looking good would help!
    Rav ID: KhallaAlmani

    ReplyDelete
  66. DebbieMarch 31, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    Thank you for the give away. I can certainly use one of these for my lovely knits.

    warbler01 on Ravelry

    P.S. I love your roses!

    ReplyDelete
  67. TMarch 31, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    I would LOVE one of these!!

    ReplyDelete
  68. JeanMarch 31, 2015 at 1:48 PM

    I SO need this!

    ReplyDelete
  69. UnknownMarch 31, 2015 at 2:10 PM

    I would love to have one of those.

    ReplyDelete
  70. UnknownMarch 31, 2015 at 6:11 PM

    I would enjoy having one of these to defuzz our household knits.

    ReplyDelete
  71. GinaMarch 31, 2015 at 7:38 PM

    I need this!!!! So much! 😊 Thank you for the giveaway! So kind of you to be looking out for our sweaters as well as yours!

    ReplyDelete
  72. ElaineMarch 31, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    oh my, that looks like an efficient tool to have!! I confess to using a razor at times, to get rid of the fuzzies. It would be great to have one of these.
    Elaine
    fife58@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Hardware QueenMarch 31, 2015 at 9:50 PM

    That does an impressive job. I'd love to have one!

    ReplyDelete
  74. UnknownApril 1, 2015 at 4:13 AM

    I sure could use this in my life :)

    ReplyDelete
  75. BonnieApril 1, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    My sweater are begging for this!

    ReplyDelete
  76. weavinfoolApril 1, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    I need this. The sweater stone I have used is crappy.

    ReplyDelete
  77. AnnieApril 1, 2015 at 9:14 AM

    I would love one of these for my Nanook sweater that I love so much but is pilling.

    ReplyDelete
  78. AnnieApril 1, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    oops--my Rav ID is YesIKnitThat

    ReplyDelete
  79. Kitten With a WhiplashApril 1, 2015 at 1:13 PM

    I'm in the market for one of these, but I'll hold off and see if I win one! Thanks for the giveaway. KittenWhiplash on Rav.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Me & My 3 SistersApril 1, 2015 at 8:01 PM

    I would love one! I'm at rav: eeaajj2207

    ReplyDelete
  81. zengirlApril 1, 2015 at 10:58 PM

    I am in desperate need of a good de-piler - thanks for the tip. Rav: Zengirl

    ReplyDelete
  82. HelenApril 2, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    Would definitely spruce up a pilly sweater I know. Nice giveaway. Thx

    ReplyDelete
  83. AnonymousApril 3, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    Wow, that does a really nice job! What a nice giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Kathy E.April 3, 2015 at 8:07 PM

    What a great product! I used to have a sweater "shaver" that worked pretty well, but it used batteries like crazy! This is one thing that should be in every closet.

    ReplyDelete
  85. gnma2227April 4, 2015 at 2:09 AM

    Thanks for letting us know about this great product. I've just the sweater to use it on. Just in case I win (I'm feeling lucky) I'm gnknit27 on Ravelery.

    ReplyDelete
  86. craftsonthegoApril 4, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  87. UnknownApril 6, 2015 at 7:11 AM

    I love your blog! I need this wicked Fuzz Buster! Make this woman happy and You've got my heart forevah! (from Rhode Island)
    Christine

    ReplyDelete
  88. UnknownApril 7, 2015 at 3:27 AM

    I forgot my Ravelry id "xmasmoma"

    ReplyDelete

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