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Attempting a Giant Pom Pom Costume

October 31, 2019 4 Comments

Yarn was provided by Lion Brand yarn. Featured: Pound of Love in Pastel Blue.

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

Last year, I developed quite the obsession with latch hook, and it all culminated in a semi-wild idea: Could I make a giant pom pom costume using the technique? Today’s costume blog post/proof of concept/whatever-you-call-this is the culmination of an artistic experiment that I think is going to lead to some more interesting ideas with 3D rugmaking. For now, here’s a look at my first swing at making a wearable latch hook piece.

P.S. Halloween is such a great time to experiment with creative ideas – even if, from just the wrong angle, you look kiiiiinda like your grandma’s toilet seat cover from 1995. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

A bit about the construction

Each half of this costume consists of two, diamond-shaped panels of rug canvas, hand sewn together with strong fishing line. Then I latch hooked onto the seamed structure (with the help of my endlessly patient sample maker – shout out to Mariah!). For the construction, I was inspired by beach balls. I think if I try making another curved/spherical latch hook piece, I’d like to make the effort to have more panels for a rounder finished surface and more internal structure. It’s a LOT of effort though, lol! Hand sewing fishing line into rug canvas gives you mad callouses and rug burns.

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

Finishing & Wearing

I quickly finished the raw edges of my rug canvas using a combination of random running and whip stitches, but if you’re replicating this idea, my basic latch hook finishing tutorial covers what you need to do. I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn for my finishing because it’s really sturdy, and I had some on hand in a light blue that blended well enough with the body of the costume. I also added a few inches of the cotton yarn to each side of my costume for a simple tie closure. Another set of ties were added at each shoulder to make it into a wearable garment.

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.
I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

What I’d change: Since this this is pretty heavy, I’d use something wider and more padded than cotton yarn at the shoulders for comfort during wear. One detail I really like about this costume in terms of wearability is that you can sit in it!

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

Stuffing: The costume has a lot of inherent structure from its seams and rug canvas backing, but it can cave in a bit. A couple of small, round pillow forms stuffed inside pretty easily fixed the cave-in issue, though it added bulk. I think I might cut custom pads to sew to the inside of the structure next time.

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.
I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

Anyway! Hopefully this weird experiment is interesting to some folks, and if you’ve got any insights to share or ideas for future wild latch hook experiments, holler in the comments. I’d love to hear. 😊

I got this wild idea to make a giant pom pom costume using latch hook, so I gave it a go for Halloween. Take a closer look at this three dimensional rug-making project and its construction.

Yarn was provided by Lion Brand yarn. Featured: Pound of Love in Pastel Blue.

Filed Under: Halloween, Latch Hook, Yarn Crafts Tagged With: costume, diy, giant pom pom, halloween, handmade halloween, latch hook, latch hook costume, pom pom costume, rug making

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Cindy G

    October 31, 2019 at 6:01 pm

    It came out great! And, if you ever do attempt another, you know what to do to make it even better. Could you just zigzag the panels together on a sewing machine? And, was it hot to wear? Even though it’s only covering your torso, it looks like it would be pretty toasty.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      October 31, 2019 at 8:10 pm

      Yeah, it’s kind of like wearing a very aggressive sweater vest, lol! I like the zig zag idea, but I doubt my little sewing machine could stand up to rug canvas. Maybe if I had access to an industrial machine… Hmmm… :)

      Reply
  2. Kristin

    October 15, 2021 at 11:30 am

    Hi Heidi! I’m curious how long it took to latch hook? I’m attempting something similar but am really concerned about time commitment!!
    Yours turned out great!
    Thanks,
    Kristin x

    Reply
    • Heidi

      October 18, 2021 at 1:57 pm

      It’s been awhile since I made this, so I don’t recall, unfortunately. It all depends on how fast you tie each knot. Best of luck! :)

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone isn’t cooperating, but it could be worse! How’s your day? 
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(If we haven’t yet met, I’m Heidi and I’m a pattern designer and tutorial creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting & latch hook. You can learn more about my work and regularly find new tutorials in my profile. ☺️👋🏻)
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How to knit a one-row buttonhole 🧶 . Sweater k How to knit a one-row buttonhole 🧶 
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Sweater knitters, listen up! Learn how to knit a buttonhole over the course of a single row of knitting, a.k.a. a one-row buttonhole. In this technique, a combination of binding off and casting on stitches on opposite sides of the work creates a symmetrical, stretchy buttonhole. 
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The time limit on these is 90 seconds, so this quick tutorial is perfect to save for future reference. (Did you know you can make folders of saved items like tutorials? 👩🏼‍🏫) 
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If you’re brand new to the technique or want to see this demonstration slower and more in-depth, my bl0g and You/2be are the place to be. Thanks for watching & let me know if you have any questions or requests for future tutorials in the comments. ☺️
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One-row buttonholes are one of a few common ways t One-row buttonholes are one of a few common ways to knit a buttonhole. Created using a combination of binding off and casting on stitches over the course of a single row, this technique is one you’ll come back to again and again, and bonus: it’s not wildly challenging. 
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Find a brand new video tutorial for knitting one-row buttonholes and a post with other useful buttonhole resources on the bl0g, 🔗 in bi0.
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It was quiet last week as I’ve been working on a It was quiet last week as I’ve been working on a few behind the scenes projects, including filming a bunch. The goal: tutorials most weeks!
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I also put some time into neglected design projects, in particular the pattern collection I began working on back in 2022. As I work on the samples, you’ll be seeing some sneak peeks here and there in my feed. ☺️
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The other thing occupying my time: I got an iPad to try digital planning and keep my design notes more organized, not to mention digitized. (Paper scribbling just ain’t it after 12 years.) If anyone has tips for how to make the most of digital planning as a crafter / knitter, I’d love to hear them! Accounts to follow, apps, must-know hacks for crafters - I’m excited to learn it all! 👩🏼‍🏫
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