Discussion Topic and Anecdote: Pom Poms

I've never seen a pom disintegrate in one washing before.

Seen it happen slowly over the lifetime of the item, sure. I have a winter cap that was knitted by my grandmother for my mother when she was in college. This hat is nearly 15 years older than me and 85% of its pom pom has left for parts unknown slowly, one string at a time, when necessity has dictated washing it or a puppy has thought it was a chew toy or a toddler a puzzle.

It is definitely a first for one of my poms. My sister—who recently had her first child—washed the hat and blanket I’d made for the new little bundle (pictured above) and reported the complete vaporization of the pom. I am perplexed. And sincerely hoping that this is not a facet of the yarn I used (A TLC Baby Amore and the first time I’d used it) because replacing the pom—which is not that difficult—won’t fix the problem long term.

Any advice from the masses?