I'm so happy to be back with y'all doing my favorite thing, crocheting! These last two weeks were a whirlwind including 2 separate 20 hour car trips with a 3 and 1 year old and an out of state wedding. Now that I've nearly caught up on commissions, written another pattern, and made a small baby shower gift, I feel everything returning to normal.
Let's get right to why you are here, Tuesday Tips! I want to talk about pompoms. I like to include freebie pompoms with all my physical orders. They are colorful, fun, and pets and kids love to play with them. As such, I make ALOT of pompom and have a specific process for making them that creates big, fluffy pompoms every time. I'd love to share it with you. It may seem like a lot of steps but the whole process is really quite quick.
You need just a few items. I use the Clover Pompom maker which I got off Amazon many years ago. They come in many sizes and I typically use the green or yellow. But here is the real trick. I also use a slicker brush. Yes, the same kind you use on Fido and Fluffy, but mine has never been used on a pet I promise! You can pick one up at almost any store that sells pet supplies. I have also found that pompoms are easiest to make with acrylic worsted weight yarn.
A maker consists of two identical sides connected by a small metal rod in the middle. Each side has two arms that swing open.
First you "open the arms" on both sides of the maker. Then wrap your yarn around the arms as many times as possible. You want to completely fill the arms, going all the way to the edges and until the "U" space is filled. Then swing the arms closed. Repeat for the other side.
You then cut down the center of both sides. Most instructions say to use "very sharp scissors" but mine are never sharp enough and I really wrap it on there because I want an extremely full pompom. I prefer to use a box cutter. Please be careful and always cut away from yourself. If you notice in the picture I hold my fingers underneath and curled in.
Then cut a strand and wrap around the maker, through the groove. Pull it through and tie a VERY tight square knot. I do an extra one just to be sure.
Then swing the arms open again and pull the two sides apart. You have a pompom! If you wanted you could give it a quick trim and call it good, but lets make it really fluffy.
Take your slicker brush and go to town. Give it an all over brush, going as deep into the fibers as possible. You may lose a strand or two but don't worry. When you are done it will look rough, that's okay. Give it a quick trim and roll it around in your hands.
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