How to Make Yarn Pom Poms

Pom-poms are a yarn embellishment.  They are a fun, fuzzy pop of color that can be used in many ways and on many projects.  Making pom-poms is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.

Pom-poms are easy to make and there are a few methods you can use to make them - with your hand, with a fork, with toilet paper rolls, and with a cardboard template.  With some methods, you can only make the pompom in a specific size.

Many pom-pom tutorials use a doughnut-shaped piece of cardboard.  I found this method very difficult to use especially when you try to tie up the pompom.  My personal favorite method is to use a rectangular piece of cardboard with a rectangular slot in the center.  With this method, you can make any desired size pompom. 

Learn how to make a pom-pom maker and how to make pom-poms with the pom-pom maker by watching our video or keep reading this post for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions.

STEP 3: TYING YARN

All pom-poms are tied together with a piece of yarn or cord.  To make it easy to tie the pompom, cut a piece of yarn/cord about 10 to 12 inches long.  Fold the piece of yarn/cord in half, and insert it into the slot. Refer to the above photo to see how to place the yarn.

STEP 4: WRAPPING YARN AROUND THE CARDBOARD

Start wrapping the yarn around the cardboard, width-wise.  Hold the yarn in place with your thumb as you begin to wrap.  As you wrap, try to wrap the yarn evenly with the same amount of tension around the cardboard from one end to the other end.  Do not pull the yarn tight as you wrap. 

The more yarn you wrap around, the fuller the pom-pom will be. 

For this tutorial, I am making a 3 1/2" pom-pom; so,  I wrapped the yarn around the cardboard about 120 times.

STEP 5: TIE THE YARN

When you have finished wrapping the yarn around the cardboard, tie the tying yarn around the wrapped yarn and knot securely.

One way to make it easier to tie is to use a surgeons knot.  A surgeon's knot is when you loop the yarn around twice.  If you are not sure how to make a surgeon's knot, watch our surgeon's knot tutorial.

STEP 6: SECURING YARN

To tie the bundle tighter and to make sure the pom-pom doesn't come undone, cut another 10 to 12-inch length of yarn and tie it around the wrapped yarn again.  This time you should be able to tie it tighter.

STEP 7: CUT LOOPS

While the yarn is still on the cardboard maker, cut the loops on both sides of the pom-pom maker with a scissor.   Then, slip the pom-pom off the pom-pom maker.

STEP 8: SHAPE THE POM-POM

Fluff up the pom-pom with your hand.  The pom-pom will have some straggly pieces and be a little misshapen.  To fix this, take your scissors and trim the yarn until the pom-pom is the correct shape.

When trimming do not trim one of the tying yarns.  This tail will be used to attach the pom-pom to a hat or a project.

The pom pom is complete and ready to use on a project.

This tutorial showed how to make a yarn pom-pom.  However, you can use this method to make pompoms with wool, plastic, ribbon, fabric, and paper.

Thanks for reading this yarn pom-pom tutorial.  Check out our Crochet, Knitting, Loop Yarn and Yarn Craft Pinterest Board for lots of fun yarn craft ideas and tutorials.

Cool Crafts has some really cool and unusual pom-pom ideas at  60 pom pom ideas you probably never thought of making.  

Do you have a cat?  Cats love to play with yarn.  So make your cat a pom pom cat toy.

Here are a few Yarn and fabric embellishment tutorials 

• How to make a yarn tassel.
• Learn how to make a cute flower with a spool knitter.
• This crochet rose can be used as a unique accent to home decor or use as a wearable accessory.
• How to make fabric yo-yos

Another Yarn Craft:

• How to make Yarn Coil Baskets