The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Make a furry pompom hat topper
Hats always make for a nice knitting project. They’re a great way to sample a new yarn or to try out a new or more complicated stitch, rather than knitting a larger project such as a sweater.
Another advantage is that there is always someone who is going to love to receive it, even if its not quite so. As Elizabeth Zimmerman, the grand dame of knitting once said, “People will put anything on their head.” That saying comes to my mind whenever I see something questionable atop someone’s head.
Once your hat is finished, there is only one thing left to do, and that is to determine whether it needs a pompom to complete the look. Some hats do not need one, but they are few.
The only hat that really wouldn’t need it is one with a fur brim, were in this case, adding a pompom would only be gilding the lily. Most hats can only benefit from the finishing touch that a pompom offers.
Until now, pompoms or tassels made with wool were the only option available. There are special tools to make both, although a piece of cardboard and a little know how can create a very nice finished piece. The trick is to tie tightly so that it doesn’t fall apart once completed.
More recently real or faux fur pompoms have become the fashion and are no longer relegated to the ski slopes. Faux fur or “vegan” pompoms are now widely available. They can be found in fashion colors as well as the more typical fur colors. The faux pompoms look so nice that they are often mistaken as real making the use of real fur unnecessary. Another benefit to these pompoms is that there is no need to sew them onto the hat. These pompoms attach with a snap, meaning that they can be unsnapped, making the hat easy to launder. Also if you have several hats these pompoms can easily be mixed and matched.
If you wish to make your hat a fashion statement, consider adding a faux fur pompom. For a class to make the cute, easy to knit hat featured here or to find your perfect pompom, please contact In Sheep’s Clothing at 860-482-3979.