Handmade pom-poms are some of my favorite secret weapons for easily adding pizzazz to my craft projects, since they add tons of terrific dimension and can be whipped up in just a matter of minutes. Pom-poms are terrific for adorning wearable items like headbands and scarves, or even home decor items like throws, pillows and more. Today I am going to show you my no-fail technique for making pom-poms–no special tools required!
For this project, you will need…
- Cardboard (an empty cracker or cereal box works well)
- Scissors
- Yarn
- Darning needle
To begin, cut a square of cardboard that is the desired width of your finished pom-pom. Add a slight indentation to 2 opposite ends of the piece, as shown. (This will prevent the yarn from slipping off of the piece in the next step.) Gently fold the piece in half.
Start wrapping the yarn around the cardboard piece, as shown, holding the tail end of the piece down to prevent it from coming unwound as you work.
Continue wrapping from one side of the template to the other…
…and then wrap 2 or 3 additional layers of yarn in a similar fashion. (The more layers you wrap, the fuller your finished pom-pom will be.) Important: don’t trim the yarn from the skein just yet!
Gently fold the cardboard piece along the fold you made in the first step to remove it from the center of the yarn loops, pinching your fingers through the fabric loops so they don’t come unwound.
Pinch the loops together at the center…
…and then tightly loop the tail of yarn around the center of the piece 3-4 times.
Trim a long tail of yarn, and thread the end through the darning needle. Insert the needle up and through the loops you made around the center in the preceding step 2-3 times, and then finish with a knot.
At this point, you can either trim the tail so it is the same length as the other loops in the piece, or you can trim it to a longer length to use to attach the pom-pom to a different project.
Use scissors to cut through the loops to form the fringe of the pom-poms as shown…
…working all the way around the piece until all loops are trimmed.
Now, fluff the pom-pom and use scissors to carefully trim the fringe so it is nice and even all the way around. Your pom-pom is complete!
In no time at all, you can whip up a bunch of pom-poms to use for any purpose you please! A number of pom-poms strung together makes a darling garland.
Try experimenting to use this same technique with different types of yarn. Chunky weight yarns like chenille produce lovely, fluffy pom-poms, while lighter weight yarns create pom-poms with a more ethereal appeal.
I created these pom-poms for a fun project I’ll be sharing with you tomorrow, but in the meantime, here’s a little sneak peek that I posted yesterday on Instagram. I just love Easter projects!
On the lookout for even more quick and easy embellishment ideas to add a pop of personality to any project? Here are a few more you are sure to love!
Fabric Yo-Yo’s
No-Sew Felt Poppies
Perfect Felt Roses
Thanks so much for making PS a part of your day!
Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
My daughter was a Cheerleader, Majorette, and I learned to make these many years ago. After so many you get this down pretty good, Thanks for sharing.
God Bless!