Here is an easy DIY pom pom maker you can create from a scrap of cardboard. This craft has been super popular since I first published it a year ago, and I’ve had lots of questions about measurements and requests for a template. I hear you, and now I’ve added one! I’ve also created a short video tutorial.
I really hate to admit this but as a craft blogger I struggled for a long time to make a decent pom pom. In the olden days when I was a child we used cardboard discs shaped like a donut and you would spend a very, very long time carefully wrapping yarn around and through the hole in the centre until it was plump and ready to trim. In this day and age we’re all a bit less patient and that technique seems very cumbersome and tedious (I’m sure I don’t just speak for myself here).
After a some experimenting I’ve come up with a much quicker and easier way of creating big, fluffy pom poms. I already own several plastic pom pom makers purchased inexpensively from the craft store and although I’ve given it a good shot I haven’t been able to figure them out. Quite possibly I’m a big dunce when it comes to following instructions but this way has been FAR quicker and easier for me. Let me show you how it works.
How to make a DIY cardboard Pom Pom maker
You will Need:
• Scrap cardboard – the thicker and stronger the better
• Yarn – I’ve found the very thick, chunky yarn works great for the large sized pom poms and the finer yarn works best for the small size but there are no real rules here
• Scissors – sharp scissors are a must for cutting and trimming
• pom pom maker template to get the small, medium and large pom pom makers (optional – you can see from the photographs that I have roughly cut the pom pom makers free hand, but in the video I’ve used the template)
How To:
Cut out a shape that resembles a rectangle with a slit running down the middle but not all the way, like in the image below. You can see I’ve made three different sizes.
Wrap these in yarn. The yellow yarn in the image directly below is 8 ply, the other two are thicker.
While the yarn is wrapped around your cardboard pom pom maker tie it tightly in the middle.
Slide it off the end, turn it over and tie even tighter on the opposite side.
Use your sharp scissors to cut the looped ends. It will come out looking very shaggy and a bit uneven.
Now it just needs a good trim which is the big secret of making a fluffy, round pom pom.
Instead of throwing out your pom pom trimmings store them in a plastic baggie and keep for future craft projects. They can be used in art collages or anything else you can imagine up (I have a project in the works using pom pom trimmings right now).
The best thing about this technique is that is SO quick you can churn pom poms out in no time at all – no more cumbersome round disc. My kids struggle with the part where a knot needs to be tied very tightly (that is the trickiest thing about this craft), so when they make pom poms they need help in that area but that is all, it really is very, very easy!
More fun crafts to make using yarn:
• Make a pom pom & pipe cleaner doll
• Use a God’s Eye inspired weaving technique to create yarn butterflies
• Make traditional, brightly coloured yarn dolls
• You can also use yarn in art, like with this yarn painting idea over at Picklebums
You’ll also find lots of fun ideas on our yarn crafts board on Pinterest.
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Small Cable ties are really good for going round the middle of the pompom. You can pull it REALLY tight and even quite small kids can manage to thread them.. it’s quicker too.
Sounds like a great idea, thanks for the tip!
What size do I cut the cardboard
However size that you want the pom poms to be
That’s what I’m not sure of like a size of an orange
Ann, I’d make it a bit larger than an orange in that case because when you trim it it will become smaller than the height of your pom pom maker
Do you what are the sizes of the cardboards for the yarn to be wrapped on.
Hi, there’s a template you can use to get the exact size (in the you will need list)
What are you using you Pom Pom trimmings for??? I have two bags full! 🙂
Oh, don’t throw them away! I have lots too and have plans for them. I was planning to post a pom pom trimmings craft before Christmas but then the Christmas crafting rush and holiday time got in the way. You could use them to collage in art or as stuffing in felt softies. I do have a craft designed but not yet photographed and posted that uses the trimmings but I can’t give it away just yet.
I made a pom pom maker for each of my girls. They loved doing it and couldn’t believe how quick it was to make so many in a short amount of time. They did struggle with tying the knots though. They are wanting to make a pom pom rug for their room. My oldest daughter plans on making a pom pom mini rug for her school locker. Thanks for sharing this post!
That’s great! Knots can be very tricky for kids, and on pom poms they need to be tied very tight.
Thanks so much I remember my grandmother Merredith creating pom poms when I was a child but she never showed me how to make them. Now I can teach my grand kids they are going to love
it!
Fabulous! I hope you guys enjoy making them
About how many times did you wrap on the medium size cardboard? Thank you Mary Jane
I didn’t count the number of times to wrap plus that would depend on how thick your yarn is. I think just until it’s about as puffy as I’ve got it in the picture.
If I am making a rug what do you use for the backing and where do you get it.
Hi Donna, I’ve never made a Pom Pom rug before so I can’t tell you. Your best bet is to search Pom Pom rug on Pinterest to try and find a good tutorial from somebody who knows how to make one
Fabulous! I remember the donut pom-pom makers, they were a bit of a challenge.
I remember them too! So time consuming but so rewarding to get that fluffy pom pom at the end 🙂
Thanks for this. So much quicker than traditional method with cardboard circles.
I love this. This is by far, the easiest way to make pom poms out there! I linked my pom pom garland post to this. Happy holidays and keep crafting!!!
Are the pieces of the pom pom supposed to be easy to come out? Cause when I made mine even though it was tight I was able to pull yarn out.
Hmm, I think this would be the case with any pom pom (except maybe factory made)
Pinned the post and followed on Instagram.