1. Cut a length of yarn (about 12 inches) and lay it on a flat surface. Now start wrapping yarn around your finger(s). Make sure you wrap loosely enough that you can slide the yarn off your fingers when you are done and are NOT cutting off your circulation. If you are using one finger, wrap 75-100 times. If you are using two fingers, wrap 100-125 times. If you are using three fingers, wrap 125-150 times. Now this is all approximate because every finger is a different size and yarn can have varying thicknesses. If you make your first one and it’s not full enough (make sure you count!) add another 10-20 wraps next time.
2. Pull the yarn off your finger(s) and lay the bundle carefully on top of the cut piece of yarn – making sure to center it both horizontally and vertically.
3. Tie the piece of yarn around your bundle TIGHTLY. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP. If you do not make this knot tight – your pom pom WILL fall apart. Hence step 4.
4. Turn your bundle over. Pull up the pieces of yarn on either side and tie again TIGHTLY. (Repeat this step again if you feel it’s necessary.
5. Cut the loops of yarn on your bundle make sure it cut each and every one. Just slide the scissors up and under the loops and cut making your way around.
6. Make your pom pom into a ball by rotating it around and cutting off any pieces of yarn that are outside your perfect sphere.
7. Go crazy with your pom poms! Can’t think of anything to do? Stay tuned – I’ve got three pom pom crafts coming up that are tons of fun.
1. Complete steps 1-5. Don’t bother trimming your pom pom at this point because you’re just going to mess it up.
2. Take a comb or any other tool with teeth or bristles and comb through the yarn. IMPORTANT: Hold the pom pom super tightly so that the pieces of yarn don’t pull out. Now that being said, I usually still lose 2 or more piece of yarn while combing. No biggie!
3. Keep on combing until you achieve your desired look. The more you comb and separate the fibers of the yarn, the fluffier and poofier (apparently not a word) your pom pom will get.
4. Now it’s time to trim. Just work your way around until it looks nice and spherical.
1. You can always make your pom pom smaller by trimming it down. You can never make it bigger.
2. Try using multiple colors. Wrap half with one color and half with another. Or go crazy and try three colors.
3. Add in texture and shine by using some ribbon. Halfway through wrapping, wrap the ribbon around your fingers as many times as you want and then continue with the yarn. When you cut the loops you can see how cool it will look.
4. I think this would make a fun cat toy 🙂
5. When combing the yarn, hold the yarn at the base of the strand so it doesn’t pull out. Kind of like when you are combing tangled hair.
6. Pom poms can be used on hats & scarves and are a wonderful addition to lots of craft projects.
7. Once you’ve mastered the basic technique you will be able to see how you can change it up to make more unique pom poms.
Linking up here and Home Stories A2ZTutorials and Tips
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Megam says
How do i cover up the tie in the middle? My pom pom is splitting in half where you can see the tie
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
When you comb out the yarn it will cover up the tie.
kim muhle says
Awesome. I just Love it. Thank You for sharing. It is brilliant
Emily says
We are running into a roadblock with the pom-poms. Every time I cut the loops (in step 5) the pom pom is tall and very misshapen. Is there a certain place where it is best to cut? We are using these to make snowflakes! Thanks so much
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Emily! You need to cut the loops right in the center of the loop – halfway. Also make sure that in step 3 when you are tying the loop around your bundle that you are tying it exactly in the center – that’s what makes it a ball-shape. Hope that helps!
Chris Humphreys says
Can you use synthetic yarns & wool mixes for combing when fluffing out pom poms ir do you have to use pure wool?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Synthetics will work too Chris! Have fun!
Alison @ Oopsey Daisy says
Ha. My favorite line “Don’t trim at this point. You’re just going to mess it up!” LOL! There are so many color options here. And so much texture! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!
Rebekah Greiman says
I remember doing these in grade school-but had forgotten how! Thanks for the tutorial. Can’t wait to make a few of these for myself. Very cute.
Found you through Trendy Treehouse. Have a great Wednesday!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
@ReMadeSimple Kristina Exactly! I love that this takes nothing but yarn and scissors – cheap and easy is my kind of craft 🙂
ReMadeSimple Kristina says
Never knew about this! Thanks for the tip-have heard about pom pom makers in craft stores, but this seems easy and you’d save money 🙂
Katy Lunsford says
Thank you so much for posting this, I’ve tried several times but they came apart – I know the secret thanks to you! Thanks again.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
@Kirby Dunton Carespodi Oh my gosh – that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kirby Dunton Carespodi says
Flashbacks! Back in the 1970s, we used to make green and white ones for our cheerleading shoes. Now I feel like I am near-death. 1970s. Sheesh.
Rebecca says
Yes I do remember that and even on your skates too.
amanda @ mommyiscoocoo says
LOVE this! Thank you for the great tutorial. I will be attaching these to my daughters, shoes, hats, pretty much anything. Thank You! My grandma used to make these and attach a small bell in the middle. VERY CUTE!!!
ps from one coocoo momma, i love your blog name.
The Mommies Made Me Do It says
These are so cute and look like something I could do! Thanx for sharing.
New follower/fan here from Sunday Showcase Linky 🙂
Shiloh says
I love the ribbon in the middle! That is such a cool idea that I’m really going to try.