How To Make A Pom Pom And Use A Pom Pom Maker
Learning how to make a pom pom using a pom pom maker is a super easy task. And once mastered, you’re crafting and DIY decor options are limitless. Before you know it you’ll be making garlands for your kids’ room, a fun wreath at Christmas time, and then tackling world peace by dinner. Just kidding.
But learning how to make a pom pom does open a world of DIY decor options. It’s one of those base skills that lead to bigger projects.
And today, I’m sharing all my dirty little secrets to making THE BEST, fluffy pom poms of your life. Who’s ready to make easy pom poms?!
Pom Pom Maker Options
I personally believe in the right tool for the job and this job calls for a pom pom maker set. There are ways to make your own pom pom makers using cardboard, forks, or even your fingers. But tools make jobs easy and I like easy.
There are two pretty basic options for selecting a set of plastic pom pom makers. One of which is more basic than the other but both are more sturdy than making your own cardboard discs.
Option 1: Extra Basic Pom Pom Maker
These pom pom makers can be found at craft stores or on Amazon. I picked my set up at Michaels many moons ago.
The trick with this style is that you have to hold together the two sides of the maker as you’re winding the yarn around it. Getting started’s a little tricky, and I often have to help my daughter with this step.
After you’re done winding with this style, it’s pretty simple to close and lock it.
Of the two styles of pom pom makers, this one is harder to use. While it’s still extremely easy for adults to use, it is difficult for kids to work with and get started.
Option 2: Updated Basic Pom Pom Maker
The second style option is an all-in-one pom-pom maker. Each one is held together by a metal rod in the middle, which is removable, but holds steady when you want it to.
How to use this style of pom pom maker: wind the yarn on one side, then the second side, close, cut, tie, and release.
The benefits of this all-in-one style vs the more basic:
- Easier to hold together when starting out
- Easier to hold in general
- Guide for changing colors
It’s a little harder to pull apart from the finished pom pom than the extra basic model, but the benefits far outweigh this con. Using this style is the easiest way to make DIY pom poms.
How To Make A Pom Pom
Supplies
- Pom Pom Makers
- Yarn (this Impeccable yarn from Michaels is my favorite for basic pom poms)
- Sharp Scissors (shorter ones are easier to cut with)
- Tapestry Needle (optional)
- Needle Threader (optional)
Choose A Pom Pom Size
The Clover pom pom makers set that I have comes in four diameter sizes: 1-3/8″, 2-1/2″, 1-3/4″, and 3-3/8″. The more basic set has nearly identical sizes but is just a smidge bigger on every measurement.
The different sizes yield different sizes of pom poms. Here’s a general size guide:
- 1-3/8″ makes a 1.5″ pom
- 2-1/2″ makes a 2.5″ pom
- 1-3/4″ makes a 3.5″ pom
- 3-3/8″ makes a 4″ pom
How To Use A Pom Pom Maker
Start by opening up your pom pom maker. It should look like this.
Hold your pom pom maker in one hand and the end of the yarn in your other hand. Slowly start winding the yarn around the maker.
Keep winding the yarn moving from left to right to left, etc. Wrap yarn around the pom pom maker from side to side until it looks like a half-circle.
Half circles yield full, fluffy pom poms while a doughnut shape makes sad pom poms. The amount of yarn you use affects the fluff factor. More yarn means a fuller pom pom.
Tuck the wrapped side back into the pom pom maker. If you’ve used enough yarn, this should be a snug fit.
Repeat the wrapping process on the opposite side.
Once you have finished wrapping the yarn, close up the pom pom maker and cut the yarn to detach the strand from the skein.
Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut the wrapped yarn up through the center of the guide.
This is when using a shorter pair of scissors can be helpful. They fit in the guide better and it’s easier to cut closer to the handles where you can get leverage.
Cut slowly and move your way around the perimeter.
Cut off an 8-12″ piece of yarn.
Wrap the yarn around the center of the pom pom and tie a knot.
Then wrap the yarn back around and tie a double knot on the other side.
Release the hounds and free Willy! I mean…remove the pom maker.
To release the pom pom maker, pull back each one of the four white guides individually. Once the guides are unfolded, gently pull the two sides of the pom pom maker apart. Like so.
Secure The Pom Pom
This step is optional. It’s one extra step that can help keep your pom poms from falling apart.
Using a needle threader, thread one end of your yarn tales through a tapestry needle.
The yarn tales are the pieces leftover from the yarn you used to tie it together. Don’t cut them off before this step.
Sew the yarn straight through the pom pom, securing down any small pieces or loose ends. Repeat a few times, going straight through the middle from different directions, for extra security.
If you’re using pom poms on something that will get knocked around or played with, don’t skip this step. Think pom poms on the top of a hat.
But if the pom poms will be glued to a wreath or used for decor where they won’t be touched, this part isn’t necessary. I don’t often sew mine since they are used as decor and rarely have had any fall apart.
When in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to give them a little extra security.
Trim The Pom Pom
Now it’s time to give that pom pom a good trim. The last step of the process.
There are almost always a few outliers that need to be snipped, including the tales. Trim the pom pom to your liking since everyone’s idea of the perfect pom pom is different. I prefer a light trim, just a little haircut to make it rounder.
Depending on what you’re using the pom pom for you may or may not want to trim the tales. I typically leave them as I like to tie the pom poms to things.
And done…a finished pom pom.
Pom Pom Making FAQs
What If I Run Out Of Yarn In The Middle Of Making A Pom Pom?
The beauty of pom-pom-making is that you can start and stop with yarns at any time. Just finish wrapping the yarn you ran out of and start wrapping with a new yarn right where you left off.
What Type Of Yarn Should I Use?
It depends on how you like your pom poms.
For ones that you can see the strands of yarn use a basic medium-weight yarn like the Impeccable Solid Yarn from Michaels. It’s the one I use for most of my pom poms.
If you want more of a fluff ball, choose a looser/softer/thicker yarn.
For a fluffier pom pom, try a heavy weight yarn like the Lion Wool Ease yarn which I used for the white pom poms photographed in this post.
Here’s a comparison of a medium weight yarn to a thicker, heavy weight yarn.
How Much Yarn Do I Need?
Another it depends. This time on the size of the pom poms you’re making and what weight yarn you’re using.
You can make a lot of pom poms from one skein of yarn if you’re making small ones. On the other hand, large pom poms use a lot of yarn. And medium weight uses alot more length than heavy weight.
To give you an idea if you have enough yarn, here is how much medium-weight yarn one pom pom uses per size:
- 1-3/8″ uses a 3 yard length of yarn
- 2-1/2″ uses a 9 yard length of yarn
- 1-3/4″ uses a 36 yard length of yarn
- 3-3/8″ uses a 56 yard length of yarn
Where Can I Buy Pom Pom Makers?
When it comes to purchasing your own pom pom maker, they can be found at most craft stores or on Amazon.
I purchased both of my sets at Michaels. But here’s the Clover pom-pom makers on Amazon and here’s the more basic set on Amazon.
What Should I Do With These Yarn Tails?
Depends on what you’re doing with your finished pom. Those yarn tails are super handy to attach to something else, like tying to a garland.
If you don’t plan to use the ties, just snip them off.
How Do I Attach Pom Poms To Things?
Tie, sew, or glue those pom poms to other things.
I find the most secure method is to tie or sew using a strand of yarn whenever possible.
Gluing can get a little tricky and you need to make sure it’s solidly glued, but it can be done.
How Do I Keep My Pom Poms From Falling Apart?
Sewing the pom pom tales into the center is the best way to keep them from falling apart. All it takes is a yarn needle or tapestry needle to do so.
I share this step at the end of the “how to make a pom pom” section above.
How Do I Get The Fluffiest Pom Pom?
While your yarn selection will determine the base fluffiness, there’s also a super secret trick to getting extra fluff. Are you ready for it?!
A brush. I’m talking about a soft boar or bristle hair brush.
Just brush the surface area of the pom pom until you get your desired fluffiness. Here’s a comparison of brushing (top) to not brushing (bottom) using heavier weight yarn.
How Do I Change Colors?
There are two ways to get different colors into your pom pom.
One way, perhaps the easiest, is to use variegated yarn.
The second option is to use a variety of solid colors. Just stop and start colors as you wish, working in as many as you need to make your heart sing.
That’s variegated yarn on top and using three different solid colors on the bottom.
You can even go wild with your poms incorporating different textures with the yarn. Like a glitter, more ribbon like yarn mixed in the bunch.
How To Make Cheap Pom Poms?
Budget-friendly DIYs are my favorite so this question is spot on.
While there is a $6-15 expense for the pom pom maker, to reduce costs, the best yarn to use is the yarn you have. Haul out those scraps and turn them into pom poms.
If you don’t have a lot of scrap yarn, your local thrift store is likely to have a rainbow of yarn options for cheap.
If you’re buying new yarn from the craft store, buy it when it goes on sale. I purchased new yarn to make my daughter’s pom pom garland for her back to school bookshelves and needed 8 skeins/colors. I found a super basic yarn on sale for $2.50 a skein at Michael’s making the total yarn cost $20. And I have plenty of yarn left over.
How Much Fun Is It To Make Small Pom Poms?
Glad you asked! On a scale from one to 10 yarn scraps, I would give it a 10 of 10.
It’s also a great craft project to keep your hands busy while binging your favorite Netflix show. I’ve made many a pom pom while watching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time.
And with that, I bid you adieu and happy crafting!
Pssst…Show of hands, who has made pom poms? What was your favorite project you used them for? Do tell!
