The drawstring pulled into the hood

Short answer: A drawstring that has disappeared into the hood can be pulled out again with a safety pin in two minutes. After that, a few simple steps stop it happening again. You do not need to unpick the seam or buy a new cord.

Why the drawstring disappears

The drawstring in a hood runs freely through a channel sewn into the edge. When one end is pulled further out than the other, the short end slides into the channel and is gone. It usually happens when the hood gets a jerk from one side, for example in the wash or when you pull the top off.

A safety pin is the tool

Attach the end of the cord to a safety pin and push it through the channel. Close the pin so it does not catch the fabric. Push it forward a few centimetres, hold it through the fabric and pull the fabric back over it. Repeat until it comes out on the other side. It works in any bamboo hoodie for men.

If the cord is all the way out

If the drawstring has come completely out of the hood, start at one hole and work your way all the way round. Make sure both ends are the same length when you finish. If the cord has only slipped in a little, you can sometimes grip it through the fabric and push it back without a pin.

Use a thin pin

A small safety pin slides through the channel more easily than a large one. If the channel is narrow, a hairpin or a thin knitting needle also works. Tape the end of the cord if it is frayed, so it does not come apart on the way. Be patient at the seams, where the channel can be tighter.

Tie a knot in each end

A knot in each end of the drawstring means it cannot disappear again. The knot needs to be larger than the hole in the channel. It is the simplest fix, and it does not change how the hood sits. It works just as well on a bamboo hoodie for women as on a men's style.

Avoid the tumble dryer

Tumble drying is the most common reason the drawstring disappears. The drum shakes the garment and pulls the cord from every side until one end slips in. Air drying spares both the cord and the fabric. This goes for every hooded layer, including bamboo sweat for men and women, where the cord is often the first thing to cause trouble.

Wash with the ends tied

Before washing, tie the ends of the drawstring together in a loose bow. Then neither end can be pulled in, however the laundry moves in the drum. Turn the top inside out as well, so the cord sits inside the garment. Remember to untie the bow before you wear it again.

When the cord is lost completely

If the drawstring has gone missing in the wash, a new one can be threaded in with the same method. Measure the old length if you still have it, or use a cord slightly longer than the channel so you can knot the ends. Choose a cord that is soft and not too thick, so it slides easily.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get the drawstring out again

Attach a safety pin to the end of the cord and push it through the channel from one side to the other, pulling the fabric back over the pin as you go.

How do you stop it happening next time

Tie a knot in each end of the drawstring. Then it cannot be pulled into the channel again, and the hood still sits the same way.

Why does it usually happen in the tumble dryer

Because the drum shakes the garment and pulls the cord from every side until one end slips into the channel and disappears.