Different Methods of Making Pom Poms
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. See our disclosure policy for more information.
Pom poms: either you love them or you hate them. Make pom poms out of yarn or with faux fur like these. You can use a traditional pom pom maker or toilet paper rolls or a fork, or chair legs or even a cardboard cutout. The possibilities are endless.
Different Methods of Making Pom Poms
It is important to note that the size of your pom pom maker (whichever method you choose) will determine the size of your finished pom poms. Using toilet paper rolls makes for quite large pom poms, while using a fork creates quite small pom poms (great to replace bows on gifts!). Need something in the middle of those two sizes? Try two chair legs pushed together!
The most important thing is to make sure you have enough yarn wrapped around your maker, so that you get a nice fluff and a dense pom pom.
I have personally used all of these methods, but I still find that making yarn pom poms with actual plastic pom pom makers the easiest way (and a heck of a lot faster). I have all four sizes of the Clover pom pom makers, and I have gotten to where I only need about a minute and half for each one! This set of pom pom makers is similar and at a fraction of the cost. If you plan on making a bunch (like in the mohawk hats using pom poms) you might splurge the next time you are at a craft store and get yourself a set.
Making pom poms with Toilet Paper Rolls
This method makes large pom poms. You’re going to lay two empty tissue paper rolls together. Wrap yarn around and around and around the two tubes until you’ve got a good amount of yarn. Take another piece of yarn (about a foot long should suffice) and work it between the two tubes and tie a tentative knot. Gently push the yarn toward one end of the tube, being careful to hold onto both ends of the yarn you’re using to securely tie the pom pom together. Once the yarn is off the tubes, tie it tight and cut around both edges of the pom pom (where the toilet paper rolls were previously).
Trim to form and voila! Done.
Wanna save this for later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it when you're ready.
Making pom poms with a Fork
This method will create slightly smaller pom poms. Using a fork, wrap yarn around all tines. Wrap and wrap and wrap until you get the desired amount of yarn. Now you’ll thread another piece of the yarn through the center tines, and tie a secure knot. Gently pull the yarn off of the fork and cut up both sides to create the pom pom. Trim to form and voila! Done.
Making pom poms with your hand
Basically the same idea as the concepts above. Simply wrap around and around your hand until you get enough yarn. Gently pull the yarn off of your hand, wrap another piece around the center of the yarn ball. Tie it tight to secure, cut up both sides. Trim to form and voila! Done.
Making pom poms Using chair legs
In this instance, you’ll use two chair legs as substitutes for the toilet paper rolls above. Push the legs as close together as possible (an easier way is to lay the chairs down) and wrap your yarn around two of the legs. Then, using another piece of yarn, tie around the center and gently remove from the chair legs. Cut up each side and trim to form. Voila! Done.
Using a cardboard pom pom maker
Using a cereal box or other cardboard (the sturdier the better), trace and cut out two Pac-Man lookin’ circles exactly the same size. The larger the circle, the larger the pom pom. Lay the cardboard template circles together and wrap the yarn around and around. Insert your sharp scissors between the two pieces of cardboard and carefully cut around, being careful not to lose any of the yarn bits through the Pac-Man’s mouth. Using a separate piece of yarn, secure in the middle of the pom pom and tie tight to secure. Trim to form and voila! Perfect pom poms
Isn’t that fun? Which diy pom pom method is your favorite?
More before you go:
Easy Peasy 30-Minute Beanie Crochet Pattern
Changing Colors in Crochet
How to Make Faux Fur Pom Poms in Minutes
Making Cat Toys Using Yarn and Felting
Foundation Single Crochet: How to Video + Why You Need to Learn
Thank you for sharing, soooo much have I learned from you, the pom Pom balls were great
These are soooo cool, I made a chick by using the pom-pom hand method and glueing on felt feet and beak and eyes. xx
K. ITs about time you get serious. NOt too much of that yarn for the pom poms. Excited about the good things coming . Value te.. But can not be cool wthiyt ya. LOve Mighty
Soooo helpful!!! I have tons of yarn leftover from past projects, now I know I can easily make a Pom garland
Thanks for the easy tutorial! My figure skates needed new poms, my other ones weren’t really my aesthetic anymore!
Thank you for sharing the use of toilet papers to create large pom poms. Genius! I was able to make a pom pom blanket using your technique: https://www.countrypeony.com/blog/diy-pom-pom-blanket
Thank you for the inspiration!
Elizabeth
Great fun! I made some pom poms using two toilet roll cardboards …so easy and quick . Toys for my cats !
How to do bas single crochet left handed
How do u keep the little strands of yarn from coming out so easy in the Pom Poms?
Make the knot you tie to create super tight! Yet not so tight you break the strand of the tying knot.
When you tie the string around to finish off the pom tie it as tight as you can and your pom pom will be more full and the strings won’t come out as easily.
Before I bought my pom pom makers, I have used my cell phone (turned off of course) to wrap my yarn around and make a pom pom
Hi! I just made pom poms using the fork method and it was so easy. I had a great time and came up with something different! If you would like to see what I made with mine go to my Instagram account, gnatspan. I mentioned that I learned to make the pom poms from your blog 🙂 Thank you.
that is really easy!
When I attach my pom poms to hats, they seem floppy. How do you attach yours? I love you blog and have learned so much.
Thanks!
Hopefully you figured it out, but I see a *little* bit higher into the pompom than thou initially think you’ll need. That essentially gives the pompom a wider base and makes it more stable.