Making a yarn pom pom should be in the portfolio of any serious crafter. They're fun, versatile, and a great way to add a pop of colour and texture to your projects — whether you're knitting a hat or decorating a pom pom garland. Best of all, yarn pom poms are surprisingly easy to make, no matter your skill level.
In this guide, we're covering 4 ways to make pom poms from a classic cardboard template to a dedicated pom pom maker — so you can choose the method that works best for you.
What You'll Need
Here's a quick overview of the materials required for each method:
- Method 1 (Cardboard template): yarn, sturdy cardboard, scissors, a pencil, and a round object to trace
- Method 2 (Hand wrapping): yarn, scissors
- Method 3 (Fork method): yarn, scissors, fork
- Method 4 (Pom pom maker): yarn, scissors, pom pom maker
Method 1: How to Make a Pom Pom With a Cardboard Template
The cardboard template method is one of the most popular of the 4 ways to make pom poms. It gives you full control over size and produces a consistently round, fluffy result.
Step 1: Cut Out the Circles Trace around two round objects of different sizes — like a large and small cup — onto sturdy cardboard, then cut out two identical rings. The wider the band between the inner and outer edge, the bigger and fluffier your pom pom will be. Stack the two rings on top of each other. Optionally, place a short piece of yarn between the two discs at this stage — it will make tying the pom pom together much easier later.
Step 2: Wrap the Yarn Start wrapping yarn around the stacked rings, working from the centre outward and covering the entire circle. Keep the layers as even as possible — uneven wrapping leads to a lopsided pom pom. Don't be shy with the yarn; pom poms need generous wrapping to come out full and fluffy.
Step 3: Cut Around the Outer Edge Once the ring is fully wrapped to your desired thickness, insert your scissors between the two cardboard rings at the outer edge and carefully cut all the way around. Take care to cut along the very outside edge so all strands end up a similar length.
Step 4: Tie the Centre Before removing the cardboard, find the loose ends of the yarn piece you placed between the discs earlier (or slide a new piece in between the rings now) and tie a firm double knot at the centre. Pull it as tight as possible — this knot is what holds the entire pom pom together.
Step 5: Shape and Fluff Remove the cardboard rings, then trim any stray strands that stick out further than the rest. Give the pom pom a gentle squeeze to fluff it up, and it's ready to use.
Method 2: Hand Wrapping or Finger Wrapping
For a quick, no-tools approach, the hand-wrapping method is the easiest of all 4 ways to make pom poms — no cutting, no templates, just yarn and your hands.
Hold one end of your yarn between two fingers to anchor it, then wrap the yarn around your fingers repeatedly. The more fingers you wrap around, the larger the finished pom pom will be. Be careful not to wrap too tightly, as this makes sliding the yarn off your hand more difficult.
Once enough yarn is wrapped, carefully slide it off your fingers while keeping it bunched together. Tie a 6-inch piece of yarn across the centre in a tight double knot, then cut through all the loops at both ends. Trim to shape and fluff.
Keep in mind that this method tends to produce slightly larger and less uniform pom poms than the cardboard or maker methods — but for quick, casual projects, it's hard to beat.
Method 3: DIY Pom Poms With a Fork
No cardboard? No problem. A regular dinner fork works surprisingly well as a pom pom tool, and it's one of the most accessible of the 4 ways to make pom poms for beginners and kids.
Wrap your yarn around the prongs of the fork, avoiding the very bottom of the prongs. Once you've wrapped enough yarn, slide a short separate piece of yarn between the prongs at the base of the fork and tie a firm knot to secure the bundle. Cut through the loops at the top, remove from the fork, trim, and fluff.
Because the fork limits the size of the pom pom, this method is best for smaller, more uniform results — making it a great choice when you need to produce a large number of matching pom poms quickly.
Method 4: Making Pom Poms With a Pom Pom Maker
A pom pom maker is a small plastic tool that functions like an upgraded version of the cardboard template. It comes in various sizes, is reusable, and produces consistently round, full pom poms with minimal effort — making it the most reliable of the 4 ways to make pom poms for regular crafters.
Open the pom pom maker and wrap yarn evenly around each half of the tool until both sides are fully covered. Close the maker, then insert your scissors along the outer groove and cut the yarn all the way around. Wrap a longer piece of yarn tightly around the centre of the maker and tie a secure knot. Open the maker, remove your pom pom, trim any uneven strands, and fluff.
Not sure which yarn to use? We recommend Mary Maxim Starlette Worsted Weight Yarn — a 100% acrylic yarn available in a wide range of vibrant colours that works beautifully with all four methods.
Tips for Making Yarn Pom Poms
- Always use more yarn than you think you need. Too little yarn results in a flat, lifeless pom pom. When in doubt, add a few more wraps.
- Keep your wrapping even. Uneven wrapping is the most common cause of lopsided pom poms. Take your time and distribute the yarn as uniformly as possible.
- Track your wrap count for matching pom poms. If you need several pom poms of the same size, use the same template and count your wraps consistently each time.
- Choose the right yarn. Not every type of yarn gives the same result. Thicker yarns produce fluffier pom poms; avoid cotton, as it doesn't fluff up well.
- Stay away from the slit in the cardboard. When wrapping around a cardboard template, avoid the gap in the ring — if yarn slips off, you may have to start over.
- Attach pom poms with a needle. To secure a pom pom to a garment, stitch straight through its centre with a needle and yarn. This keeps it firmly in place over time.
- Experiment with shapes and colours. Once you're comfortable with the basics, try making multicolour pom poms using different yarn colours, or trim a finished pom pom into a non-round shape for a creative twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best yarn for pom poms? The best yarn for pom poms is acrylic yarn in the DK weight or worsted weight category. Acrylic is affordable, easy to care for, holds its shape well, and comes in a huge range of colours. Avoid super bulky yarns for smaller pom poms, and steer clear of cotton, which tends not to fluff up effectively.
What yarn works best in a pom pom maker? Any worsted or DK weight yarn works well in a pom pom maker. As long as the yarn fits around the tool comfortably, you can use it — the weight and fibre content will simply affect the final texture and fluffiness of the result.
How do you stop yarn pom poms from falling apart? If your pom poms are coming apart, the centre knot likely isn't tight enough. Try using a surgeon's knot instead of a standard double knot, and pull as firmly as possible before trimming the ends. A secure centre knot is the single most important factor in a long-lasting pom pom.
