I’ve mentioned in a previous post (How to Make Perfect Pom Poms) that I think fuzzy pom poms are the best pom poms. And I stand by that. The best way to get a super fuzzy pom is by using a single-ply yarn.
But what if you only have multi-ply yarn? No problemo. These three hacks will make your fuzzy pom dreams come true!
Fuzzy Pom Pom Hack #1: Use a Dryer
Soak your pom poms in lukewarm water for about twenty minutes.
Then, put them into a mesh laundry bag (the bag is important!) and throw it in the dryer. Set the dryer on the “hot” setting and let it go for about 20-30 minutes.
The best time to try this is when you’re doing a load of laundry. Save on your electric bill, guys!
Heating and agitating the poms in the dryer slowly unravels and loosens the plies of yarn, thereby fuzzing out the pom poms.
Pros of this hack:
- requires little effort
- as with laundry, you set it and forget it
Cons of this hack:
- requires a mesh bag, which not everyone has
- possibility that the dryer will fade the color of the poms if they’re made with hand-dyed yarns
Fuzzy Pom Pom Hack #2: Use a Pet Hair Brush
In the spirit of using weird tools (see: tinfoil), this next option involves using a pet hair brush with wire bristles. Yep, it’s oddly specific.
Wire bristles are best for teasing out the plies from the yarn. If we’ve learned anything from Option 1, the key to fuzz is undoing the yarn plies so it resembles a large single-ply of yarn.
I happen to have two dogs, so I am the proud owner of a wire bristled dog brush. (The one I’m using is from Amazon.) Getting the fuzz is pretty straightforward.
Pretend your pom pom is a small dog. Let’s say, a Pomeranian (ha). Proceed to gently brush your pom all over, being careful not to manhandle it.
One trick I like is pushing the brush paddle into the pom and then moving it around in a circle motion for extra teasing. (A real dog Pomeranian would not enjoy this).
The key is to brush the top of the pom without ripping out the yarn strands. Once the yarn ends on the pom are nicely teased and you have a fully fuzzy pom, then you’re done. Et voila!
Pros of this hack:
- can control the level of fuzziness
- immediate results
Cons of this hack:
- requires a specialised tool
- takes time to create the fuzz
Fuzzy Pom Pom Hack #3: Steam and Thrash
In addition to being a cool name for a punk rock band, the steam and thrash method involves steaming the pom and then thrashing it around in a bag until it fluffs.
I found this hack in a very old online forum for knitters, but I was intrigued.
Start by filling a pot with about an inch of water. Then, lightly splash the pom poms with water. If you have a spray bottle, you can use that instead.
Place the poms in a steamer and bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot, turn the heat down to a simmer and let it go for about 10 minutes.
Once the time’s up, throw the poms into a plastic bag and whack it against the counter, the floor, the walls, or wherever you please!
Whack the poms around for a couple minutes. Blasting the Clash or Bikini Kill is optional, but certainly helps!
After thrashing, your pom poms will look a little bedraggled. Let them dry completely. The final result will be similar to hack one (the dryer method).
Pros of this hack:
- uses common household objects (sort of)
Cons of this hack:
- thrashing requires some physical effort
- not everyone owns a steamer
- requires the poms to dry fully before you can see the final result
So, Which is the Best Hack?
The good news is that all three methods result in fuzzy pom poms!
Both the dryer method and the steam & thrash method work in similar ways by steaming the poms and then thrashing them about (in the dryer and the bag, respectively).
The hair brush method is excellent if you’re looking for precision, but it can be a bit tedious.
Ultimately, I endorse all three hacks. I would personally use the dryer method if I had multiple poms to fuzz. However, if I’ve just got one pom pom, I would go the hair brush route and give that pom the best fuzzing of its life!
After reading this post, which hack are you likely to use?
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