The inside of my jumpers and cardigans never become bobbled, despite the friction that must occur. So why can’t the pieces be sewn together inside out? Helen, by email

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Readers reply

Bobbling can be caused, as you say, by friction – but that’s not the only factor. The type of fibre used in the fabric, its softness, the stitch used and the way you wash it could all affect how much it bobbles, too. I would guess that your cardigan has a knit stitch (lots of overlapping v shapes) on the outside and a garter stitch (wiggly horizontal lines) on the inside. As a knitter, I have noticed that knit stitch bobbles more than garter stitch, perhaps as the fibres run vertically and are subjected to more friction in the horizontal plane. So yes, one option would be to produce a garment using the “wrong side” of the fabric; you can buy knits in garter stitch, but they have a tendency to look as if they’re being worn the wrong way round.

The outside of a garment will always be subjected to more friction. Think about your arms moving against the body of the cardigan, your bag or seatbelt rubbing the fibres. The inside will be more protected as it’s sat closer to you and is probably held secure against a layer of T-shirt or vest underneath.

Softer fibres like acrylic, merino wool and loosely spun yarns will bobble faster than a rustic Norwegian wool. I find synthetic knitwear bobbles the most, but that’s sadly what makes up most of the high street offering. Bobbling is a natural phenomenon and a quick bit of work with a debobbler comb will have your garment looking new again! Daisy Robinson, by email

I invested in a little machine that runs on batteries that you glide over the bobbles. The growly, scrapey splicing sound is very satisfying. I think lint bobbling is as old as wool clothing itself. I like to imagine I’m a Viking, debobbling my raiding gear before I go off on my voyage. Grrrr. teaandchocolate

I keep a few old disposable razors to shave the bobbles off, but you have to keep the fabric taut. My wife once stopped nicking my razors and bought a bigger one for her leg hair, and that worked brilliantly. alexito

After finally reading the label of some of my clothes, I now wash them inside out. Jumpers and shirts with buttons wash more quietly, and jeans are usually only dyed on one side – so washing inside out is logical. I presume washing woollens inside out would protect them a little too. HemingfieldTwit

On holiday recently, a sudden cold snap forced me to buy a basic cotton sweatshirt from a major European retailer. Not expensive, but not cheap either. After less than two days of casual wear, bobbles started appearing on the surface! I’m submitting it as a world record contender … FrankieandDexy

Next question: What do we do with the harvested bob-bles? / What do we do with the harvested bob-bles? / What do we do with the harvested bob-bles? / If we’re really thrif-ty? smokeyenginedrive

Make them into firelighters. You can do the same with lint from the filter in the tumble dryer. Put some fluff into the holes in an old egg box. Pour over molten wax and allow it to cool. Then just tear off an “egg cup”. The cardboard, lint and wax combo is a very effective fire starter. Nil-by-moth