Terracotta Sunset Floppy Pom Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Terracotta Sunset Floppy Pom is a desert-boho accent that brings a little warm, golden-hour color to anything it hangs from. It is built on a small, dense crocheted disc that anchors four cascading layers of super bulky strands in sunset stripes, so the fringe drapes softly instead of sticking out stiffly. It is a wonderful project for crocheters who are comfortable with single crochet in the round and want a quick, satisfying make from scrap or leftover super bulky yarn. The finished pom feels plush and relaxed, with a floppy, layered look that works beautifully as a bag charm, keychain, or gift topper.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: (6) Super Bulky / Super Chunky, acrylic or wool blend. Color A terracotta orange: 25 yd. Color B dusty pink: 20 yd. Color C mustard yellow: 15 yd. Color D clay brown: 10 yd.
• Hook: 8.0 mm (US L-11).
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, a wide-tooth comb or pet slicker brush for combing strands, a steamer or steam iron for light steaming, and a stitch marker for the start of the round.
• Finished size: Base disc 3.5 in (9 cm) diameter; overall pom with strands approx. 9 in (23 cm) long x 4 in (10 cm) wide.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• inc – increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start working in the round.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• rnd(s) – round(s).

Gauge

8 sc x 8 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet worked in the round. To check, crochet a small flat swatch in the round with your 8.0 mm hook and measure the center of the fabric; if your stitches are larger than this, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your single crochet rounds firm and even. A dense disc holds the strand bundles securely and keeps the pom from sagging.
• Cut all strands for one bundle at once and lay them flat so the ends stay even; this makes trimming the soft V much easier later.
• Attach each bundle in a true ring, spacing the strands evenly. Alternating the gaps between rings is what gives the layered sunset look.
• Do not stuff the disc. It stays flat on purpose so the strands hang straight and the pom keeps its floppy drape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Base Disc (Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts). Pull the ring closed.

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 6: sc in each st around (30 sts).

Sl st to the first st, fasten off, and weave the tail to the back. Do not stuff.

Strand Bundle 1 (Color A)

Cut 14 strands 18 in long. Fold each strand in half; with your hook, pull the fold through a base stitch from front to back, then pull the two loose ends through the fold loop and tighten. Space the strands evenly around the outer 2 rounds: 7 strands on the front half and 7 on the back half.

Strand Bundle 2 (Color B)

Cut 12 strands 16 in long. Attach them in a ring just inside Bundle 1, alternating the gaps across 12 stitches (12 strands).

Strand Bundle 3 (Color C)

Cut 10 strands 14 in long. Attach them in a ring inside Bundle 2 across 10 stitches (10 strands).

Strand Bundle 4 (Color D)

Cut 8 strands 12 in long. Attach them around the center ring across 8 stitches (8 strands).

Trim

Hold the pom by the hanging loop and comb the strands downward. Trim the ends in a soft V to blend the layers, keeping the longest A strands at the outer edge and the shortest D strands at the center.

Hanging Loop (Color A)

Row 1: ch 12, sl st to the base center back, then sl st in each ch back along the chain (12 sl sts). Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Assembly and Finishing

There is no seaming beyond the hanging loop, which is joined directly to the center back of the disc. Weave in all remaining yarn tails on the back of the disc, tucking them under the stitches so they are hidden. Steam the strands lightly to relax them, then shake the pom to fluff. Lay it flat to dry and give it a final trim if any ends look uneven.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the sunset palette for any four colors you love, such as ocean blues or neutral creams, to match a favorite bag.
• Make a smaller version by working the disc only to Rnd 4 (24 sts) and using fewer, shorter strands for a petite keychain pom.
• Use a pet slicker brush instead of a comb to fluff the strands into a softer, more feathery finish.