Pompoms, calling all knitters!!

I never have success with pom poms. They always are too loose, I never manage to tie the centre tightly enough.
These days I make loopy pom poms using a crochet hook and chain stitch. You can make them any size.
Here's a pattern to help

Thanks minimoon that's thoughtful of you. I'll take a look!

My mother used to knit a small ball instead, there are loads of patterns online if you Google.

I have a friend who makes her poem poems by winding wool round a chair back. She uses a chair with wooden poles sticking up above the chair back. Then ties in sections all the way along. Tightly if course. The cuts wool between the ties. Hey presto, pom poms all made instantly

Pom poms. Sorry auto correct

When I’ve made my Big Fat Father Christmases, the pattern had a knitted, stuffed white ball on the end of his hat - it looked fine. I shall soon be knitting a couple of child-sized Santa hats in fluffy-ish yarn, so might try the ball idea for those, instead of the specified pom-poms. At least they won’t be able to pull them to bits.

I think that may be why my mother used to put them on the ends of my scarves witzend

I like the stuffed ball idea for FC witzend (Blossoming). But I'm not so sure on a childs hat
I Probably should make it then ask for opinions.

Wet string. As it dries it tightens up.

Wow Ali08 A scientific answer .
That's worth a try, Thank you!

I managed to make a knitted ‘bobble’ for a child’s Santa hat, in fluffy white yarn. I adapted the pattern from Jean Greenhowe’s big Father Christmas’s hat (on much smaller needles) - it’s turned out fine. The yarn is the fluffy King Cole Cuddles Chunky (used for the whole hat) so it’s not remotely obvious that it’s not a proper pom-pom. But nobody will be able to pick it to bits.

I used rather bigger needles, is what I meant.

Can you crochet? If so, maybe consider crocheting a single chain to tie off the centre. That way, you'll get a bit of stretch, which should mean you can tie a tighter tie (!) around the middle. A pom pom maker makes the tying off bit easier too.

Namsnanny

Wow Ali08 A scientific answer .
That's worth a try, Thank you!

You're welcome, Namsnanny.
I hope this helped you. I should have said to try with wet wool or embroidery threads, too!

I use cotton yarn to tie off bobbles as it can be pulled tighter than wool or acrylic without snapping. I do have a plastic Pom Pom maker though rather than using cardboard which I find much easier when winding the wool round.

I haven't tried this but what about threading up a darning needle and sewing it together by stabbing the needle through the middle at different angles then winding it round and tying it off.

Also make sure you trim the ends all round the pom pom very evenly so there are no tempting loose threads to pull at.

Pom poms drive me up the wall. I wrap the final thing up with strong nylon wool in a similar colour with a tiny dot of glue on it. They stay in place.

To get pom poms tight at the centre, so threads don't fall out, could a thin cable tie be used, and then the end cut off?

I have had more success by using sewing thread round the middle as TEACHERANNE has also suggested.