Many knitters are interested in new techniques and textures. A novel yarn with a very unusual feel has recently become widely available.
"Pompom" or "Pompon" yarn has tufts of fleece-like material spaced at regular intervals. A number of yarn producers, including Phildar, Rico and Stylecraft have these yarns on the market in a wide selection of colours, from soft baby solid shades to bright yarns in variegated colours.
Needle size
Although the yarn has very thick elements, the recommended needle size for most brands is 4mm, which most knitters will have in their collection. A similar sized crochet hook is also recommended.
How to Knit Pompon Yarn and the Finished Fabric
The recommended pattern for this yarn is garter stitch, which suits knitters of all abilities. Two stitches are worked between each pompom, which gives a neat grid pattern to the finished work.
The knitted fabric is very soft and thick, making it suitable for winter items such as scarves, or household items such as blankets and cushions.
Casting On and Off
Some knitters have experienced tension problems with the yarn in terms of the beginning and the end of the knitted piece. This yarn should be cast on and bound off as loosely as possible, to prevent unwanted gathering. Because of this, pompom yarn is not an ideal choice for complete beginners. However, the knitter does not have to be very experienced to be able to handle the yarn.
Combining with Other Yarns
Because there is only enough yarn for two stitches between each “tuft”, there is practically no capacity for stitch variation, and very little opportunity for shaping, such as increasing and decreasing. For scarves and blankets, this is fine. However, if the knitter wanted to make garments using this yarn, then it would be necessary to add elastic to the inside of the garment afterwards to assist with fit, or to work ribs in a more conventional yarn.
It would be possible to knit a band of pompom yarn within a garment, such as a stripe of pompoms around the hand part of a mitten, but the knitter would need to adjust the number of stitches to allow for the differences in tension.
The crafter could also add a knitted or crocheted border to a baby blanket, creating an interesting contrast and a pretty decorative edge.
A 200g ball of the yarn produces a scarf approximately 15cm x 180cm and costs £8 - £10. The yarn knits up fairly quickly and so this would be a good way for the knitter to make a relatively inexpensive and unusual handmade gift
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