Knitted pom poms are a fun and easy way to add a playful touch to your knitted projects. Whether you want to embellish a hat, a scarf, or even a bag, pom poms can instantly transform your creation into something whimsical and eye-catching. In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to make knitted pom poms using basic knitting techniques.
Step 1: Gather your materials
Before you start making your pom poms, make sure you have all the materials you need. You will need yarn in your desired color, scissors, a pom pom maker or a piece of cardboard, and a darning needle. Choose a soft and fluffy yarn for best results.
Step 2: Prepare your yarn
Start by cutting a long piece of yarn and setting it aside. This will be used later to tie your pom pom. Then, take your yarn and wrap it around your pom pom maker or piece of cardboard. The more times you wrap the yarn, the fuller your pom pom will be. Keep in mind that the length of the yarn will determine the size of your pom pom.
Step 3: Tie and trim your pom pom
Once you have wrapped the yarn to your desired thickness, carefully slide it off the pom pom maker or cardboard. Take the long piece of yarn you set aside earlier and slide it through the wrapped yarn, going through the center. Tie it tightly and double knot it to secure the pom pom. Leave the ends of the yarn long, as they will be used to attach the pom pom to your project.
Step 4: Shape and fluff your pom pom
After securing the pom pom, it’s time to give it some shape and fluffiness. Grab your scissors and start trimming the yarn ends, making sure to cut them evenly. As you trim, the pom pom will take form and become round. Take your time and continue trimming until you are satisfied with the shape and size of your pom pom. Fluff it up by gently pulling the yarn apart and shaping it with your hands.
Now that you know the basic steps, you can let your creativity soar and make pom poms in various sizes and colors. Experiment with different yarn types and techniques to create unique pom poms that will bring joy to your knitting projects.
Gather the Materials
Before you start making knitted pom poms, you will need to gather the necessary materials. Luckily, the materials needed are relatively simple and easy to find. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Yarn: Choose a yarn of your choice. You can opt for a variety of colors to make colorful pom poms or stick with a single color for a more uniform look.
- Knitting Needles: Select knitting needles that are the appropriate size for your chosen yarn. The size of the needles will depend on the weight and thickness of the yarn you are using.
- Scissors: A pair of sharp scissors is essential for cutting the yarn and trimming the pom poms.
- Pom Pom Maker: While it is possible to make pom poms without a dedicated pom pom maker, using one will make the process much easier and produce more consistent results. Pom pom makers come in various sizes, so choose one that suits the size of pom pom you want to create.
Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, you will be ready to start making your knitted pom poms.
Cast On Stitches
Before you can start knitting your pom poms, you will need to cast on the required number of stitches. The number of stitches you need to cast on will vary depending on the size of pom pom you are making and the yarn you are using.
To cast on stitches, follow these steps:
- Hold the knitting needle in your right hand, with the pointed end facing your left hand.
- Make a slip knot by creating a loop with the yarn, leaving a long tail. Insert the knitting needle through the loop from front to back, and then tighten the loop around the needle.
- Hold the needle with the slip knot in your right hand, and use your left hand to hold the loose end of the yarn.
- With your left hand, bring the loose end of the yarn over the needle and to the back, creating a new loop.
- Insert the needle through the loop from front to back, and then tighten the loop around the needle.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches.
Once you have cast on all of the stitches, you are ready to start knitting your pom poms. Make sure the stitches are evenly spaced on the needle to ensure a neatly finished pom pom. If you make a mistake or need to add or remove stitches, simply unravel the cast on stitches and start again.
Knit the Base
Before you can start making the pom poms, you’ll need to knit a base to attach them to. You can use any size or color of yarn for the base, depending on your preference.
To knit the base, follow these steps:
- Choose your knitting needles and yarn. If you want a tighter base, use smaller needles and thicker yarn. If you want a looser base, use larger needles and thinner yarn.
- Start by making a slipknot and casting on the desired number of stitches. The number of stitches depends on the size of the pom pom you want to make.
- Continue knitting in the stitch pattern of your choice until the base is the desired length. You can choose to knit in garter stitch, stockinette stitch, or any other stitch pattern you like.
- Once the base is the desired length, bind off the stitches and cut the yarn, leaving a tail for seaming.
Now that you have knitted the base, you can proceed to make the pom poms and attach them to the base. Follow the next steps in the tutorial to complete your knitted pom poms.
Increase Stitches
To increase stitches in knitting, you can use different techniques depending on the pattern you’re following. Increasing stitches is essential to create shaping in your knitting project. Here are some common methods for increasing stitches:
- Knit front and back (KFB): This is a simple and commonly used method to increase stitches. To use this technique, knit a stitch as you normally would, but before slipping it off the left-hand needle, knit into the back loop of the same stitch. This will create an additional stitch.
- Make 1 (M1): This technique is used to create a new stitch in a specific location, such as between two existing stitches. There are different variations of the M1 method, including M1L (make 1 left) and M1R (make 1 right), which involve picking up the strand of yarn between stitches and knitting into it in a specific way to create the new stitch.
- Yarn over (YO): This method involves wrapping the yarn around the needle before knitting the next stitch. This creates an eyelet and increases the stitch count. It is commonly used for lace knitting and decorative purposes.
When increasing stitches, it’s important to follow the specific pattern instructions to ensure that the increases are placed correctly and create the desired shaping.
Here is an example of how to increase stitches using the KFB method:
| Row | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knit 1 stitch |
| 2 | KFB in the next stitch (knit into the front and back loops of the same stitch) |
| 3 | Knit the rest of the row |
By following these instructions, you will have successfully increased the stitch count by 1 stitch.
Create Decrease Rows
To create decrease rows, you will need to follow these steps:
- Start by knitting the first row according to your pattern.
- On the second row, you will begin the decrease process.
- To decrease, you will need to work specific stitches together. This will help reduce the number of stitches on your needle.
- Follow the instructions in your pattern for the specific decrease stitch you need to use. Common decrease stitches include knit two stitches together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk).
- Continue knitting the decrease stitches as instructed until you reach the end of the row.
- On the next row, knit the stitches normally without any decreases.
- Repeat the decrease row and regular knit row until you have reached the desired number of stitches for your pom pom.
Remember to read and follow your pattern carefully to determine how many decrease rows you need to complete and when to start and stop them.
This process will help shape your knitted pom pom by reducing the number of stitches and creating a tapered effect.
Once you have finished the decrease rows, you can continue with the rest of your pattern to complete your knitted pom pom.
Bind Off Stitches
To bind off stitches, follow these steps:
- Knit the first two stitches.
- Insert the left needle into the first stitch on the right needle.
- Slip the first stitch over the second stitch and off the right needle.
- Knit the next stitch.
- Repeat steps 2-4 until you have one stitch remaining on the right needle.
- Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches.
- Pull the tail through the last stitch, tightening it to secure.
Binding off stitches is an essential step in completing your knitting project. It creates a finished edge by closing all the stitches at the end of your work.
Whether you are knitting a hat, scarf, or any other project, binding off stitches is necessary to prevent the stitches from unraveling. Once you have mastered this technique, you will be able to confidently finish off your knitting projects with a neat and secure edge.
Shape the Pom Pom
Once you have finished wrapping the yarn around the pom pom maker, it’s time to shape the pom pom by cutting and trimming the yarn.
First, locate the groove or gap between the two halves of the pom pom maker. Use a sharp pair of scissors to insert into the groove and start cutting the yarn loops all the way around the pom pom maker.
Once you have cut all the way around, take an additional piece of yarn and insert it through the groove. Tie a tight knot to secure the yarn loops together.
Next, carefully open the two halves of the pom pom maker and remove the pom pom. It may still look a bit uneven and messy at this point.
To shape the pom pom, hold it in your hand and gently fluff and shake the yarn. Use your fingers to arrange the strands of yarn and give the pom pom a more even shape.
If you want a more spherical shape, you can trim the edges of the pom pom with scissors. Take small snips of yarn at a time and carefully trim any uneven strands or excess yarn until you achieve your desired shape.
Continue shaping and trimming the pom pom until you are satisfied with the final result.
Repeat the same process for each pom pom you want to make, and you will have a lovely collection of knitted pom poms to use for various crafts and projects!
Attach the Pom Pom
Once you have finished making your pom pom, it’s time to attach it to your knitted project. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to attach the pom pom:
- Thread a yarn needle with the tail from the pom pom.
- Decide where you want to place the pom pom on your knitted item.
- Insert the needle through the stitches at the desired location, from the inside to the outside of your project.
- Pull the needle and thread all the way through, leaving a small loop on the outside of your project.
- Insert the needle back into the same stitches, but this time from the outside to the inside.
- Gently pull the thread, tightening the loop and securing the pom pom in place.
- Repeat steps 3-6 a few more times to ensure the pom pom is securely attached.
- Once you are satisfied with the attachment, cut the thread, leaving a small tail.
- Tuck the tail into the back of your project to hide it.
Congratulations! Your knitted pom pom is now securely attached to your project. Enjoy the fluffy and playful addition to your creation!
FAQ:
What materials do I need to make knitted pom poms?
To make knitted pom poms, you will need yarn, knitting needles, a tapestry needle, a pom pom maker, and scissors.
Can I make knitted pom poms without a pom pom maker?
Yes, you can make knitted pom poms without a pom pom maker. Simply use cardboard or your fingers to create the desired pom pom shape.
How long does it take to make knitted pom poms?
The time it takes to make knitted pom poms will vary depending on your skill level and the size of the pom pom. On average, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to make a pom pom.
Can I use any type of yarn to make knitted pom poms?
Yes, you can use any type of yarn to make knitted pom poms. However, thicker yarn will result in a fuller and fluffier pom pom.
What can I use knitted pom poms for?
Knitted pom poms can be used for a variety of crafts and projects. They can be attached to hats, scarves, blankets, or used as decorations for home decor items.