One of the great things about knitting is that there are so many different ways to do pretty much anything. There are many knitting styles, many ways to work an increase, a decrease, there is just a lot of variety. Same goes for pom poms! There are a few types of pom pom makers, or there is always the low tech cardboard method. I love a good pom pom maker, they make pompoming (I made that word up) easy. I think Emily avoids putting pom pom’s on her knits because she’s too thrifty to get a pom pom maker.
Step 1: get out your pom pom maker. There are lots of sizes, I tend to think bigger is better when it comes to pom poms!
Step 2: Open the pom pom maker and wrap your yarn around one side. This is not the time to skimp on yarn, go nuts or you will end up with a limp pom pom and no one wants that!
Step 3: Close the side you just wrapped and start on side 2.
Step 4: Cut your pom pom.
Step 5: tie your pom pom. I tie it a few times and use a good sturdy knot. You don’t want bits of pom pom escaping!
Step 6: take your pom pom maker apart
Voila, pom pom! Sew it onto your favorite hat to add a bit of whimsy.
Looking for more pom pom information? I recommend Tanis of Tanis Fiber Arts and her full pom pom tutorial here, she uses a different style of maker and recommends sending your completed pom pom through the dryer in a mesh bag for a ‘fulled’ look. If you are looking for the low tech cardboard method check out the gals at Pom Pom Quarterly and their cool pom pom garland and tutorial here.
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More pom pom worthy designs by Tin Can Knits
April 29, 2021 @ 10:34 am
I’m looking for the pompom that looks like dreadlocks. I saw a pattern once that the yarn was wrapped around a knitting needle or a crochet hook then yarn pulled thru. Looks like a spiral Can’t find instructions again. Can you help?
May 2, 2021 @ 10:12 pm
Sorry – I don’t know what technique you’re thinking of! ~ Em
October 8, 2020 @ 8:21 am
My pompom maker is the same style as the Clover one you show. When I use it, I always seem to get a pompom that’s slightly oblong. It’ll be tighter in the middle, and looser on the two “poles” that correspond to the edges of each half circle. Do you have any tips for avoiding that? And could you share a picture of one wrapped half before you close it, for reference?
Thank you!
October 12, 2020 @ 1:50 am
I’ve not come across that problem – perhaps you are not wrapping the whole crescent the same thickness of yarn? Not sure. Also I tend to cut and shape my pompoms quite a bit after they come off the pompom maker.
November 13, 2014 @ 1:22 pm
I usually make pompoms by wrapping the yarn around my hand (or a few fingers for smaller poms), but this looks much neater! Doesn’t look like you have to do much trimming either. I think you’ve converted me! :)
November 10, 2014 @ 3:44 pm
Ahoj je Máš neuveriteľné práce. Buddem určite Digg juu
a osibne navrhnúť, aby moji priatelia. Som,
istý, tak je prospech z tohto wsbu .
October 20, 2014 @ 1:58 pm
I’d be more inclined to say Emily avoids pom poms because they eat yarn! But that’s a pretty cool looking pom pom maker, and way more user-friendly than the cardboard ones. What kind is it?
November 4, 2014 @ 10:30 pm
Clover. And it is my very favorite!
October 20, 2014 @ 1:35 pm
Thank you so much. Let’s talk about timely!! I have been starring at my purchased pom, pom maker completely baffled.
October 20, 2014 @ 8:14 am
what a great tutorial, I have looked at pom pom makers before, but didn’t actually know how they worked (I feel a little dumb confessing that). now it looks so easy, I wnat to rush out and get a pom pom maker!
November 4, 2014 @ 10:31 pm
Ha! I had the instructions kicking around for a really long time and had to refer to them constantly. It’s only through obsessive pom pom making that I can finally use it all by myself.
October 20, 2014 @ 7:48 am
I used to love making pom poms when I was a child. I used cardboard then, very low tech. I only heard about pom pom makers recently. What a wonderful world we live in :D
October 20, 2014 @ 4:43 am
A timely tutorial! I just bought a couple of these pom pom makers yesterday.
October 20, 2014 @ 1:04 am
Why on earth add to all the plastic junk in the world when making pom-poms with scissors and cardboard is one of children’s favourite activities?
November 4, 2014 @ 10:32 pm
I’ll be sure to switch over when my kiddies are old enough!