Ever wanted to know how to make pom poms the easy way?
I once wrote about our Camp Bestival adventure where we all spent a brilliant afternoon in a pom-pom making workshop.
It was such a different method to the one I used when I was a child.
I remember spending ages cutting out my templates (usually from a cereal packet); to create two discs of cardboard with a hole in the middle.
A tricky process when you have little hands.
Winding the wool through the circle in the middle — round and round, again and again — until I wasn’t able to fit any more through the aperture.
Then carefully snipping the edges of the wool, and tying a piece of yarn around the middle.
The excitement of tearing away the cardboard discs to reveal a perfect little fluffy pom pom.
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Sign of the Times
These days, instead of cardboard circles, there are actual pom-pom makers.
Who knew?!
Certainly not me that’s for sure!
I was as fascinated as the boys, when I saw them being used for the first time. They’re so simple — and fun — to use; and make the old fashioned cardboard method seem such a faff.
There are a few different kinds of pom pom maker available — in various different sizes — but my favourite are by Clover.
They feel a little more robust than some that I bought originally. Plus — and most importantly — the two halves lock together and can be pulled apart really easily. You can get the Clover 4 pack of pom pom makers on Amazon.
They’re so effortless to use — the fiddly cardboard templates are a thing of the past — and make pom-pom making child’s play.
How To Make Pom Poms Using a Pom Pom Maker
1. Once you’ve chosen the yarn you’ll be using, select the size of the pom-pom you’d like to make.
Open one side of the pom-pom maker, then carefully begin winding your yarn around.
2. Keep winding the wool until the semi-circle in the middle of the pom-pom maker has been filled in.
3. Then, once you’re happy that you’ve done enough on the first side, just close the arm of the pom-pom maker and cut the thread.
4. Make a start on the second side, using the same process.
Keep winding the wool until you have around the same amount as on the first side.
Then close the arm into the middle, until it snaps into place.
5. Next, carefully begin snipping the wool around the edge of the circle.
Cut all the way around until you can see the pom-pom maker beneath.
6. Next, take a length of yarn and tie it tightly around the middle of the two sides.
I tend to knot it once, then go around again.
This piece of wool is keeping your pom-pom secure, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
7. Once you’ve tied off the yarn, you can open up the pom-pom maker!
Definitely the most exciting bit.
All being well — once you’ve prised the two halves away from each other to release their woolly contents — you’ll be left with a perfect pom-pom.
8. Give it a little haircut, and trim off any straggly ends to make it neat and tidy.
Et voila! Your pom-pom is finished.
Much, much easier than the old fashioned cardboard method. Plus, it’s such a lovely craft to do; especially now the weather has turned a little colder.
Cosying up indoors and doing a bit of gentle crafting is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. My little boys and I are thoroughly addicted.
The only trouble is, they’re so easy to make, you may end up with dozens of them!
All The Trimmings
But what’s a girl to do with all these pom-poms?
Well, there’s been such a resurgence in homeware — and fashion — recently for pom-pom trimmed baskets.
I thought I’d use some of the larger ones that the boys and I have made to trim our lovely lidded oval basket from Laura Ashley.
It’s such a beautiful shape but is given a modern spin — and a little bit of colour — by embellishing it with some bright pom-poms.
I was going to use my trusty glue-gun to fix them on but, at the last minute, decided to sew them instead.
If the fashions change and I decide to change the colour of the pom-poms at a later date — or even remove them completely — it will be simple to do and won’t spoil the look of the basket.
The plaited texture was surprisingly easy to push the needle through and it’s a much less permanent embellishment, than if the pom-poms had been glued on.
Perfect for fickle decorators like me!
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Make Pom Poms Using a Pom Pom Maker
Ever wanted to know how to make pom poms the easy way? Long gone are the days of cutting a template from a cereal packet! Pom pom makers are a brilliant way of creating perfect pom poms for your craft projects.
Materials
- Yarn
Tools
- Pom Pom Maker
- Scissors
Instructions
- Once you’ve chosen the yarn you’ll be using — and selected the size of the pom-pom you’d like to make — open one side of the pom-pom maker, then carefully begin winding your yarn around.
- Keep winding the wool until the semi-circle in the middle of the pom-pom maker has been filled in.
- Make a start on the second side, using the same process. Keep winding the wool until you have around the same amount as on the first side.
Then close the arm into the middle, until it snaps into place. - Next, carefully begin snipping the wool around the edge of the circle.
Cut all the way around until you can see the pom-pom maker beneath. - Next, take a length of yarn and tie it tightly around the middle of the two sides.
I tend to knot it once, then go around again. This piece of wool is keeping your pom-pom secure, so it’s better to be safe than sorry! - Once you’ve tied off the yarn, you can open up the pom-pom maker!
- Give it a little haircut, and trim off any straggly ends to make it neat and tidy.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
This is so clever! I love the pom poms and the basket looks stunning. I feel like even I could probably make some pom poms using this tool (and I’m rubbish at DIY, hah!) Also, love how customisable they are X
Thanks so much Pia! I can’t believe I’d forgotten how much I liked making them! So nice that it’s something the little ones can join in with :)
How amazing do they look – definitely tempted to have a go here.
They’re SO simple to make!! And addictive too ;) I warn you, once you start, you can’t stop!
Amazing work Caro! I love these and can see how it can get addictive. Also love the fact there’s no fiddly cardboard in sight. I am going to look into these new makers… x
Thanks so much Leoma! Currently in the process of making even MORE so we can create a Christmas wreath!! It’s SO addictive ;)
I think pom poms look great on anything these days especially a blanket or cushion. i guess this theory is the same as the original cupboard idea but must be so much easier than squishing the ball of wool through a tiny circle in the middle!
I agree!! I do love a pom-pom trim!! It’s so nice that they’re enjoying a bit of a revival :)