Easily learn how to make yarn pom poms in just a few minutes! Learn different ways with and without a pom pom maker.
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Pom poms are so much fun and easy to make – I used to make them all the time when I was a kid. Now I’ll make them for other projects, such as my loom knit hat or knitting machine hat. The process is very meditative and only takes a few minutes.
Now you don’t need a pom pom maker to make these, but I highly recommend it. This is the set I have and I wish I had gotten it sooner. You can use cardboard if you don’t want to commit or even the foam discs from foam disc launchers (this is what I primarily used as a kid).
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Don’t forget to pin it so you can easily come back to it later!
Why Use a Pom Pom Maker?
The advantage to using an actual pom pom maker like these is they’re reusable, come in different sizes, and make it super easy to make yarn pom poms.
That being said, they’re not required to make them – you can make your own using items such as cardboard or foam discs.
Materials to Make Pom Poms with a Pom Pom Maker
- Yarn (I like to use the cheap acrylic yarn like these, but any yarn will work)
- Pom Pom Maker (this is the set I have)
- Yarn Bowl, optional (these are great options to keep your yarn from rolling away)
- Scissors
How to Make Yarn Pom Poms with a Pom Pom Maker
Choose Your Pom Pom Maker Size
Pom pom makers come in several sizes so choose the one you want for your project. This is why I recommend getting set like the one I have so you have several from which to choose.
Tip: As a rough estimate, you can expect your finished pom pom to be slightly larger than the colored part of the maker.
Wrap Half of the Pom Pom Maker
Start by opening half of the pom pom maker. Do so by pushing on the tabs of the colored part of the maker so that you have one side completely open with a top and bottom part.
Make sure the top and bottom are aligned and wrap the yarn around both parts, crossing it over the first wrap to secure the end of the yarn.
Continue to wrap the yarn around, filling it in evenly. After you have the first layer, add additional layers on top.
Tip: For the first row, keep the yarn a little loose. As you add additional rows you can make it tighter. This will help the yarn be more similar in length (otherwise the bottom yarn will be much shorter than the top layers).
Tip #2: Push the yarn to one side as you wrap to fit in more loops.
Continue wrapping until you’ve filled up the side. You can test it by closing the pom pom maker. It should still be able to close.
If there are gaps, wrap more yarn around in those places to fill them in.
(By the way, the thing in the top right is a yarn bowl so my ball of yarn doesn’t roll away. I highly recommend them – these are great options).
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Finish the Pom Pom
When you’re happy with the first half, cut the yarn and repeat on the other half of the pom pom maker.
With both halves closed, use the scissors to cut the yarn between the top and bottom colored parts. Repeat on the other half.
Tip: It’s easiest to cut the yarn in layers, starting with the top layer and moving down. Then move to the next section.
Tip #2: Be careful holding the pom pom maker so that the halves don’t come apart.
Next, cut a longer piece of yarn and wrap it around the pom pom maker, between the top and bottom colored parts. Pull it tight and tie it in a knot.
I personally like to wrap it around a second time and tie it off to make sure it’s extra secure.
Then pull the tabs of the colored parts of the maker to open both halves.
Holding each half, separate the pom pom maker to release the pom pom.
Lastly, clean up your yarn pom pom by trimming it to make sure it’s perfectly round.
Tip: If you’re going to attach it to a hat, leave the ties as those will be used to attach it to the beanie. You can see how in the loom knit hat tutorial.
Your yarn pom pom is now ready to use!
If you make your own pom poms, I’d love to see them! Tag me on Instagram @ab.crafty!
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And here’s how it looks on the loom knit hat.
And here are a bunch more that I’ve made. The multiple colored ones can be made using different colors of yarn or yarn that changes colors on its own like this one.
How to Make Pom Poms without a Pom Pom Maker
You can absolutely make them without a maker. The way to do it is by using either cardboard or foam discs from disc launchers (like these).
If using cardboard, cut two discs of cardboard and make a single cut through it from the outside to the center. If using foam discs, take two and simply make the same cut.
Then stack the two on top of each other and follow the regular instructions. The only difference is there isn’t a convenient way to separate the halves. This is where the slit comes into play though – push the yarn out of the discs through the slit after tying it off.
Tip: Rather than throw away the cardboard after using it, upcycle it into a fun toy for a pet! For example, cardboard pieces are on this hamster supplies list as a great chew toy.
More Yarn Crafts and Inspiration
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How to Make Yarn Pom Poms
Easily learn how to make yarn pom poms with a pom pom maker in just a few minutes!
Materials
- Yarn
Equipment
- 1 Pom Pom Maker
- 1 Pair of Scissors
- 1 Yarn Bowl optional
Instructions
- Start by opening half of the pom pom maker (this is the set I have). Wrap the yarn around both colored parts, crossing it over the first wrap to secure the end of the yarn.Yarn
- Continue wrapping around, pushing the wrapping to one side to fit more in. Once the first layer is filled, continue wrapping on top. Keep the layers even.
- Continue wrapping until you’ve filled up the side. You should be able to close it and there aren't gaps.
- Repeat the process on the other half.
- Cut the yarn between the top and bottom colored parts. Repeat on the other half.
- Cut a longer piece of yarn and wrap it around the middle of the pom pom maker, between the top and bottom colored parts. Pull it tight and tie it in a knot.
- Pull the tabs of the colored parts of the maker to open both halves.Holding each half, separate the pom pom maker to release the pom pom.
- Trim the pom pom so it's perfectly round.
- If you're attaching it to a hat, leave the tails. Now your pom pom is ready to use!
Notes
Tip: For the first row, keep the yarn a little loose. As you add additional rows you can make it tighter. This will help the yarn be more similar in length (otherwise the bottom yarn will be much shorter than the top layers).
Tip #2: Push the yarn to one side as you wrap to fit in more loops.
Tip #3: Use a yarn bowl to keep your yarn from rolling around (these are great options).
