EMBELLISH A LAMPSHADE
Glam up any plain lampshade with a vintage pompom trim, designed by Sue Walton.
For a simply stylish beginner crochet project, this lampshade trim is just the thing. The pattern can be adapted to fit any size of lampshade, perfect for upcycling that flea market find. For this project we gave the Multipom tool a try, an easy way to create more than one pompom at once, but you could use a fork or cardboard circles to create yours.
NOTES
The pompoms on these braids are made with a Multipom pompom maker, which makes lots of identical pompoms at once at a size of your choosing. Here, we’ve used 2cm diameter pompoms, making 12 at a time. Full instructions for this method of making pompoms come with every kit. The pompoms could be made individually by a more traditional method, if preferred. Measure the circumference of your lampshade before you begin – to work out the length of the starting chain, round down the measurement to the nearest 2.5cm (eg. 74cm would be 72.5), divide this by 2.5 and multiply by 4.
BRAID
Using Yarn B, ch a multiple of 4.
Row 1 Dc in second ch from hook, dc across, turn.
Rows 2-3 Ch1 (counts as dc throughout), dc in each st across, turn. Row 4 *Ch4, skip 3 sts, ss into next st; repeat from * to end.
Row 5 Ch1, *6tr into ch-4 sp, ss into ss of Row 4 (scallop made); repeat from * across. Fasten off.
POMPOMS
Using Yarn A, make one pompom for every scallop of the braid. Using the Multipom, wrap the yarn around 40 times. Make 12 ties along to make 12 pompoms. Repeat as many times as necessary.
To make a really dense, fluffy pompom, soak them in hot water after they have been cut from the frame. Squeeze out most of the moisture and fluff them up in the palm of your hand. Dry and trim to shape if required.
TO MAKE UP
Using Yarn B, sew through the top of a pompom, attach the bead and then sew into place at the bottom of a scallop from the braid. Once all pompoms are attached, sew the braid into place around the base of the lampshade.