How to Make Perfectly Round Pom Poms Using a Pom Pom Maker

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Create gorgeous pom poms to decorate hats, presents, and more

Co-authored by Amy Guerrero and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: May 6, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using a Pom Pom Maker

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DIY Cardboard Maker

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Expert Interview

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Things You'll Need

Plastic pom pom makers seem to be all the rage these days—not only are they easy to use, but they can help you create perfectly round pom poms in minutes. Simply wrap yarn around both sides of the maker, close it up, then cut the yarn loops along both sides. Feed a long piece of yarn inside the grooves and tie it into a tight knot to secure the pom pom, then open the maker to release it. We interviewed Arts and Crafts Specialist Amy Guerrero to find out how you can use a pom pom maker and the fluffy pom poms you create.

Using a Pom Pom Maker

Open up the two sides of the maker and make sure the pieces are lined up.
Tuck the end between the two pieces and wrap yarn around 1 side of the maker.
When 1 side is completely covered, cut the end and wrap the other side.
Close the 2 sides of the maker and push the 4 plastic tabs on each end closed.
Insert scissors in the groove along the edge of the maker and cut the yarn.
Wrap 15 inches (38 cm) of yarn inside the groove and tie a knot on each side.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Pom Pom Maker

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1
Open up the two sides and make sure the pieces are lined up. Pull on the tabs on either side of the pom pom maker to open up the 2 plastic pieces. Align the pieces with each other.^{[1]
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- If your pom pom maker only has 1 plastic piece on each side, all you have to do is open the maker and align both sides.^{[2]
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- Maker sizes might vary slightly between brands. Check the package to see the size of your pom pom maker.
- Acrylic or wool yarn tends to be best, however, anything you have on hand will do. The thicker the yarn you use, the fuller and fluffier your pom pom will be.^{[3]
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Wrap yarn around one side of the maker to cover it evenly. Tuck the tail end of the yarn between the 2 pieces of the maker. Wrap around the 2 pieces, moving back and forth, until the inside edge disappears and the yarn is even in thickness.^{[4]
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- Alternatively, tuck the tail end underneath and wrap the yarn over it.
- The more layers of yarn, the denser your pom pom will be. However, make sure it’s thin enough that you can still close the maker comfortably.
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Cut your yarn and wrap the other side of the pom pom maker. Cut the yarn with a pair of scissors and tuck the tail underneath the other pieces of yarn. Repeat the previous 2 steps to cover the other side of the maker with yarn.^{[5]
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- Push your yarn over when necessary to create an even layer of yarn over each side of the maker.^{[6]
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Push the 2 plastic pieces together to close the maker. Most makers have two plastic parts on the edges where the pieces connect—push these down against the maker until they snap into place.^{[7]
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Cut along the groove under the yarn along the edge of the maker. Most plastic pom pom makers have a small divot on the side, between the 4 yarned plastic pieces. Insert your scissor blade into the hole, then cut along the outside groove to cut the yarn loops on both sides.
- Use a sharp pair of scissors to more easily cut through the multiple layers of yarn.
- Hold the center of the pom pom maker tightly as you cut to keep it from moving.
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Wrap 15 in (38 cm) of yarn into the groove and tie a knot on each side. Wrap the yarn along the exposed grooves. Cross one end over the other and pull on both ends until the yarn is completely tight.^{[8]
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- When the yarn slips into the groove, it wraps around the middle of the pom pom inside the maker. Tying a knot on each side holds the pom pom together.
- If you’re worried about the pom pom coming loose, tie an additional knot on each side.^{[10]
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- You can keep the length of yarn to hang your pom pom up as an ornament or to use it for another project, or you can trim them off.^{[11]
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Pull on the tabs or latches on the edge of the 2 plastic pieces to open them. Pull on the 2 middle pieces to open the maker completely, releasing the pom pom.^{[12]
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Trim the edges of the pom pom to make it smooth and round. Using a pair of scissors, clean up any long pieces of yarn sticking out from the pom pom. Now you’ve made a pom pom!^{[13]
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- To attach the pom pom to a knitting project, leave the 15 inches (38 cm) piece of yarn and tie the ends into the stitches on your project. Otherwise, trim them off.
- Arts and Crafts Specialist Amy Guerrero recommends “adding a pom pom” to a wrapped present “after tying the package with string or ribbon.”

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

DIY Cardboard Pom Pom Maker

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Trace and cut 2 circles the size of your pom pom on cardboard. Draw 2 circles on a piece of cardboard using a round object about the size of the pom pom you’d like to make. Use a pair of scissors to cut them out.^{[14]
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- If you don’t have cardboard, use a foam board or a piece of cardstock.^{[15]
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- Try not to make your circles smaller than 3 inches (7.6 cm) so you can more easily make your pom poms.
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Cut a 1 inch (2.5 cm) circle inside the larger circles and cut a V. Trace a 1 inch (2.5 cm) circle in the center of the larger circle. Cut through the larger circles to the smaller circles and cut them out. Cut an additional piece out of the larger circle to create a “V.”^{[16]
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- This “V” creates a notch that makes it easier to pull the yarn through.
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Hold the 2 circles together and wrap yarn evenly around the sides. Wrap the yarn back and forth along the circle to make sure the yarn is even around all sides.^{[17]
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- The more layers of yarn you wrap, the denser your pom pom will be.
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Cut the yarn between the two cardboard circles. Insert the blade of a sharp pair of scissors underneath the yarn between the two circles and carefully cut around them.^{[18]
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- Hold the cardboard circles tightly to make sure they don’t come apart while cutting.
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Cut 15 in (38 cm) of yarn and tie a knot between the two circles. Wrap the piece of yarn in between the two cardboard circles. Cross one end of the yarn over the other, insert the end into the loop you create, and pull tightly. Repeat to make a knot, then make another knot on the other side of the pom pom.^{[19]
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- Arts and Crafts Specialist Amy Guerrero says to “Tie the string as tight as you can around the center of the [pom pom]. This should cause [the yarn] to puff out.”
Use a pair of scissors to trim away any long pieces sticking out. Now your pom pom is complete!^{[20]
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