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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 (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. 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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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