How to Make Easy Yarn Pom Poms with a Cardboard Maker

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 fluffy pom poms is a fun activity that both kids and adults can enjoy. Learn how to make pom-poms with no special tools. You only need a small piece of scrap cardboard (from a shipping box or cereal box).

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

Many yarn pom pom tutorials use a doughnut-shaped piece of cardboard. These cardboard discs were difficult to use, especially when tying up the pompom. My favorite and easiest way 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, from small pom poms to giant pom poms.

For visual learners, click the link below to watch our YouTube video tutorial on making easy pom poms with a cardboard pom pom maker. Keep reading for a photo tutorial on making DIY pom poms.

What is a pom-pom?

A pom-pom, which is also spelled pompom, pom-pon, or pompon, is an ornamental ball. The ornamental ball can be made of many types of material - yarn, wool, plastic, ribbon, fabric, and paper. Depending on the purpose of the pom-pom, it can be made in many different sizes and colors.

If you are making a lot of pom poms, you may want to purchase a set of pom pom makers. Craft stores carry pom-pom makers or purchase them from Amazon.

If you don't own a pom-pom maker, you can easily make pom-poms in any size you desire using this DIY pom-pom cardboard maker method.

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE Pom Poms WITH YARN

• Scrap Cardboard or Cereal Boxes (for small pom poms)
• Yarn
• Sharp Scissors

Step by Step Instructions for making your own POM POM maker and Pom Poms

STEP 1: MAKE POM-POM MAKER

The first step is to make a pom-pom maker. You will need a piece of heavy cardboard, such as corrugated cardboard, to make the cardboard pom-pom maker.

The size of the pom-pom you want to make determines the size of the pom-pom cardboard template. If you want the diameter of the pom-pom to be approximately 3 1/2", the cardboard should be cut 3 1/2" wide; if you want a 2" pom-pom, the cardboard should be 2" wide.

The length of the cardboard template should be longer than the width. For instance, if you want your finished pom-pom to be 3 1/2 wide, cut the cardboard 3 1/2" wide x 4 or 5 inches long.

STEP 2: CUT SLOT IN CARDBOARD

Referring to the above photo, cut a rectangular slot in the center on one side of the cardboard. The slot only needs to be 1/4" to 1/2" wide.  

The pom-pom maker is complete. Now you can make pom-poms.

STEP 3: TYING YARN

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

STEP 4: WRAPPING YARN AROUND THE CARDBOARD

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

The amount of yarn you wrap is your preference. To make a fuller pom pom, wrap more yarn around the cardboard. For a looser pom pom, wrap less yarn.

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 yarn around the wrapped yarn and knot securely.

One way to make it easier to tie a tight knot 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 ensure 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 sharp pair of scissors.

Then, slip the pom-pom off the pompom 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 you have a round pom pom.

Do not trim the tying yarns when trimming. These yarn tails are a good way to attach the pom-pom to the top of a hat or a project.

The finished pom pom is ready to use on craft projects.

This tutorial showed how to make a perfect 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 crafts 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