Abby and Giant PomPoms

Giant Pompom Hat

Also on Ravelry

This hat was so fun to make, and quick, too!

Materials: 

   1 or 2 colors of worsted weight yarn  

       (I used Red Heart in Orchid and Pretty in Pink)

   Size J hook

   2 bows or flowers to attach (optional)

   Scissors

Gauge:  6 dc = 2 inches

             4 rows = about 2 inches

Note: ch 2 at the beginning of the rows does not count as a dc. It helps fill in the gap so the beginning of rows isn't as noticable. 

Small- 18 inch diameter

Holding 2 strands of yarn together make an adjustable ring, ch 2.

Row 1: 10 dc, join. (10dc)

Row 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each dc, join. (20dc)

Row 3: ch 2, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat around, join. (30dc)
Row 4: ch 2, *dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat around, join. (40dc)
Row 5: ch 2, * dc in next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat around, join. (45dc)
Row 6: ch 2, * dc in next  8 dc, 2 dc in next dc* repeat around, join. (50dc)
Row 7- 12: ch 2,  dc around, join. (50dc)
      The hat should measure about 6 1/2 inches from the center to the edge. You can add or subtract a row here if needed
.
Finish off and weave in ends.

Now for the giant pompoms!!

Cut 4 circles from a cardboard. (I used a cereal box.)
2 large at 8 3/4" diameter.
2 small at 3 1/4" diameter.
Cut a slit to the center and a small 1 1/4" diameter circle in center.
Widen the slit to make it easier to get the yarn through.





Glue the smaller circles to the inside of the larger circles. This is important so you can get your scissors between the two larger circles later on.






Place the circles together with the smaller ones to the inside. Start winding the yarn around the circle.








Keep going until you can't fit any more yarn into the center circle.








Insert your scissors between the two larger circles and cut all the way around. Since the yarn is tightly packed in the center it won't be coming loose.







Cut a double piece of yarn  12-18" long.  Open up the cardboard circles without removing them.  Insert between the two smaller circles. 






Wrap the yarn around the cut strands and tie as tight as you can manage.







Carefully remove the cardboard circles. It's a tight fit and you'll have to bend the cardboard a bit.  Have someone hold the first knot really tight while you finish knotting it.




Decide where on your hat you want to place them. I placed mine on the 5th row.  Using the yarn used to tie it together, thread one end between dc, skip 4 dc, and thread the other end between dc.  I just tied a bow with a double knot on the inside to secure it.





Now you can add the bows or flowers if you would like to.

I ran out of yarn before I could finish the pompoms for a second hat, so I frogged an abandoned project and made pompoms from the frogged yarn. I ended up with some very cute curly pompoms.











I think this would look really cute done all in black with red and white polka dot bows!