a pompom isn't girly! :)

That's so cute! I think it's perfect just the way it is. It looks more helmet-like without the pompom, heheh.

I agree with C. It looks so cute and helmet-like without the pompom.

Cute as is, adorable, actually.

I made this hat. I added the little sprout that the original pattern calls for and I really liked it. The hat was a hit and didn't look girly at all. I think it will be great no matter what you do.

I say cute enough on its own. :)

I vote no pom pom. It's mighty cute!

I don't think a pompom is girly but I think the hat is cute just the way it is.

I vote no pom-pom! It looks so cute as it is!

I think you should leave it as is...great hat!

Less is more. Unadorned is best.

totally cute as is. the pom pom may set off the balence! its perfect!

Hmm...I was going to say no pom-pon until I went and looked at the picture...the pom-pon on the string is a mighty cute touch.

But, given the uncertainty of the father's reaction, I guess I'd say no pom-pon.

The hat is cute enough to stand on its own.

I think it's cute enough on its on. Fabulously boy-esque cute.

Let it be. Pompoms are horrendous.

I think it is adorable as it is. It looks clean and simple without looking too so (if that makes any sense), and the brown with the blue is great.

If you have leftovers that you really want to use up, I'd see if you could knit a football (maybe brown with blue lacings) and put a bell or something similar in the middle of the stuffing.

I think it's cute enough like this. Also, it looks more like the helmet if it is not further embellished.

You can't lose -- but I'd leave well enough alone. Grandpa will be thrilled.

Adorable just as it is!

though I love the idea of the dangling pompom thing I think that would be something for the baby to grab and pull on...I vote for no pompom

Seanna Lea, you are a genius! I just might try that. Brilliant!!!

Leave it as it is. I think that if a hat has a pom-pom, it should bask in the pom-glory, and not have anything to distract from it. And plus, it's just so adorable as it is.
And I agree with Seanna Lea, a knitted football would be so adorable.

Back when my grandpa was in high school, they didn't have enough of those leather helmets for everyone on the team. They finally ended up making him wear one because his head was so hard he was hurting people. heh.

I say leave it pompomless.

Weighing in to also say perfect as is. Although it's hard to stop. Plus, if the parents put a hooded jacket or coat on the baby, a pouf on the top of a hat gets in the way.

I like it just the way it is, but the "sprout dobber thing" is cute too. I have no good advice on the girl/boy thing, though.

I like it as is- so many baby hats have poms, its rather refreshing to see one without. Love the blue!

How about a brown pom pom? Too cute!

I vote for the pompom. I don't think it's girly.

I don't think poms are girly but I'm not a big fan of them either. I think the hat looks just right the way it is.

I'm pretty sure the Texans like to keep the pompoms on the cheerleaders... ;-)

I vote no pompom. It's gilding the lily, or cuting the cutey! So so cute as it is, and won't look so much like a helmet with a pompom.

I think it looks fabulous as it is but if you want to add something, how about a short i-cord with a knot near the base?

It's good without any fancy-ing up. But if you go with an addition, I'd pick the sprout.

I'm pretty sure Texans like to keep the pompoms on the cheerleaders... ;-)

Goalposts ;-).

Or, how about a ring of little "V" stitches, like you see on footballs?

I say don't add the pom-pom. It won't look girly, but it will look cutesy. Since you are sending it to Texas, I think cutesy would be bad. The hat is already in powder baby blue, instead of the royal blue of one of the links. However, you know the recipients, and where in texas they live, so you might have a better feeling for what will be appreciated.

No pompom. It's great as is :)

I don't know what Daddy would think, but I think it looks fine as-is, totally adorable!

I think it's perfect the way it is. A pom pom would make it look less like an old-timey helmet. (Which is most of its charm, I think.)

Cute!

Being a Texan-I say no pompom for the boy.Football is almost a religion and pompoms are for cheerleaders!(not that I am part of said religion.I hate football)

I actually think that it's cute enough on it's own. I love this pattern - so adorable! I think that anything else might take away from the cuteness of the football. Just my opinion. ;)

I think it's great as is. Any football enthusiast would love it.

I think it's perfect just the way it is. It won't look like an old-fashioned helmet with a pompom on top!

I love the hat, just the way it is. Adorable

I love the hat, just the way it is. Adorable

You could make two white carroty things and sew them on so they look like Texas Longhorns.....
http://tourtexas.com/tour/images/kg_longhorn_01_lg.jpg

What about the nob... bit of I cord folded over....

Ah yes, PainterWoman, but what if they're A&M fans?! ;0)

You know you've spent too much time on Ravelry when you try to click "agree" on a blog comment!

OK, so I'll just say it: I agree with several others that it looks perfect just the way it is.

I'd leave it the way it is--anything else would be too cluttered, in my humble opinion, and it is adorable just the way it is.

I think those old leather helmets were just intended to contain the mess when someone got splattered on the field. Oooo. Icky mental image, huh?

That is too cute. My SIL just found out they're having a boy, so I must cast on! I guess it would help if I got the book too, huh? ;)

I think it's perfect as it is! Sometimes its the simplicity of the design that makes it beautiful.

Don't think a pom-pom is girly. That said, I love it as is!

adorable enough on its own!

No pompon. Perfect as is.

I consulted the male contingent of my house: no pompom.

I think it's great on its own. No pompom necessary.

Hi Alison,
I think the hat is great either way. I also love that so many people have commented on to pom or not to pom. That is funny and wonderful at the same time.
susan

Yes, Susan, it's amazing! There appear to be some serious pom predjudices and preferences out there. ;0)

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I'm glad to hear that so many of you approve of the hat as is without the pompom. I think that's the safest choice, given I don't know the dad and there are definitely some dads out there who are iffy about the handknit items, especially when they have some embellishments. I think I'll leave this one plain on top and go for the helmet look. I'll save the pompom or sprout for the next time I make this hat. (Because you know I'll make another one sometime!!)

all 3 possiblites are darlin...but I think you should leave it as it is. It's really smashing!!!

Though not a dad (I'm a mom), I do live in Texas. I seriously think you should leave the hat just as it is.

That hat makes me want to buy the book!