pom pom

How to make a pom pom sprinkled with loom bands

| Elanor

Here’s a fun way to add some colour to your bobbles.

1. Cut out two donuts from card. Leave a slit. The inner diameter of these was 7/8″ or 2cm, and the outer diameter was 2 1/4″ or 5.5cm
IMG_0653.JPG

2. Wrap yarn around the donuts.

IMG_0654.JPG

3. Pop some loom bands on too. Distribute them roughly equally around the rings. Use about 20 bands.

IMG_0655.JPG

4. Another layer of yarn. Cover the bands.

IMG_0656.JPG

5. Another layer of bands.

IMG_0657.JPG

6. A final layer of yarn. Your pom pom is probably getting quite full now (if not, keep layering).

IMG_0658.JPG

7. The heart-stopping bit: cut the yarn and bands all the way around. Insert the scissors between the two card rings.

IMG_0660.JPG

8. Work a length of yarn in between the pieces of card and tie off tightly. Do this twice if you can. Don’t worry if a couple of lengths of yarn fall out, just get that ball tied off!

IMG_0661.JPG

9. Trim your pom pom down to size! The loom bands, being elastic, may retract a little into the ball. Try to tease them out or trim back to reveal them.

IMG_0664.JPG

10. Done!

IMG_0665.JPG

Advertisement

Sombra

| Elanor

Main image courtesy of Pom Pom Quarterly, taken by Juju Vail.

Sombra is my latest pattern, and I am very excited that it has been included in the Summer edition of Pom Pom Quarterly. This floaty top is really easy to wear, and will quickly become a summer wardrobe staple.

I am quite proud of how Sombra turned out. The material is sheer and delicate. The Non-Twist Cotton Boucle from Habu Textiles is incredibly soft to touch and has quite a different drape to other yarns I’ve worked with. It’s a fine laceweight, but because the top is worked on 4mm needles, it still works up reasonably quickly. Plus, it’s stocking stitch throughout, the colourwork requires no twisting or stranding, and the colour pattern is easy peasy.

Sombra is worked flat, bottom up. Then the back and front are seamed together at sides and shoulders. The sleeves are picked up from the armhole edges and worked to the cuff (3/4 length). Sts for the round neckline are also picked up. Hem, neckline and cuffs are worked in garter st.

The colourwork technique is simple. There are three shades used: aqua, teal and violet. The aqua areas are worked with the main colour of yarn held singly. The darker green areas are worked with aqua and teal held together, and the darkest area including neckline is worked with all three yarns held together. When worked this way, the yarns automatically lock into position, so no stranding or twisting is necessary – just knit! From the picture below, of the back blocking, you can see just how the sheerness of the material is also changed with the number of shades used.

As an aside, this is my first design swatch for Sombra in kidsilk haze-type yarns (very cosy)! So glad my editors at Pom Pom suggested Habu! Hmm, wonder if it would work as a Winter garment too…?