The drawstring in the hoodie disappeared into the hood

Short answer: When the drawstring slides into the hood, it has usually slipped loose at one end and travelled through the channel. You can fetch it with a safety pin without unpicking anything, and a knot at each end stops it from happening again.

Why the string slides in

The string sits in a narrow channel around the hood, and when you pull one side, the other side can vanish. It happens mostly when the ends lack a knot or a stopper, or when washing has made the channel a little loose. It is a common problem and can almost always be fixed without tools.

Find the end with your fingers

Start by feeling along the channel from the outside while pinching the fabric lightly between two fingers. You can usually sense where the string lies and push it toward the opening a little at a time. Go calmly, so the fabric does not bunch up, because that makes it harder to get hold of the string.

The safety pin does the work

Fasten a safety pin to one end of the string if you can reach it, or to the fabric in front of it. Guide the pin through the channel by squeezing and pushing the fabric over it until it comes out of the other opening. Open the pin and pull the string out. It is the same method whichever hoodie you have.

When both ends have gone

If both ends are gone, you may need to unpick a small piece of seam in the hood to reach the string. It is rarely necessary, but it can happen with older clothes. Afterwards, close the seam with a few small stitches. The same applies to other bamboo sweatwear, where the channel is often sewn the same way.

Add a knot or a stopper at the end

Once the string is back in place, tie a simple knot at each end so it cannot slide back through the hole. If the cord is flat, fold the end double before knotting. A plastic or metal stopper helps too, if you have one. It keeps the string in place for many washes.

Wash without losing the string again

Tie the string loosely together at the front before the hoodie goes in the machine, so the ends are not pulled into the channel by the drum. Turn it inside out and use a gentle program, so the fabric does not twist. The habit also suits bamboo jogging sets, where the waistband cord can misbehave in the same way.

When the hood is not pulled tight

Many people never use the string and just let it hang. That is one more reason to knot the ends, because otherwise they slide in as soon as you put the hoodie on. If you are unsure whether the string should stay at all, you can simply leave it out, without harming the hoodie.

For other parts of the wardrobe

The same principle works for other clothes with a channel and a cord. If a top has a small string at the neckline, you can use the same pin and knot. You can see what that looks like among bamboo tops for women, where the details are simple and many have no string at all.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to open the hood to get the string out?

Usually not. A safety pin and some patience are enough to guide the string through the channel. Only if both ends are gone might you need to open a small seam.

How do I stop the string from disappearing again?

Tie a knot in each end so it cannot slip into the channel. Also tie the string loosely together at the front before washing, so it is not pulled in.

Can you wear the hoodie without the string?

Yes, the hoodie works fine without a string if you do not need to tighten the hood. It just sits a little looser, and you only need to make sure the channel does not bunch up.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.