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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 & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and 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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How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style . How to to knit throwing (a.k.a. English) style 
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In knitting, there are a few common knitting styles. Most often you’re going to encounter continental style and English (throwing) style on your knitting journey. I recently had an old video teaching continental style get a lot of views. Based on the comments, it was clear the people wanted to also see a throwing tutorial, so here you go! 🧶
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Please note that there is a LOT of variation in knitting styles, and one isn’t necessarily better than another. Most often, I’ve found it comes down to two things: how you were taught and whether or not you’re really into colorwork knitting (which can involve a mix of styles). 
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Longer-term knitters who’ve made it this far: do you prefer one over the other? And why? 
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#handsoccupied #englishknitting #learntoknit #knitting #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
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I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
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I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
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The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
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I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
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