How to make pompoms is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Once confined to crafting workshops at summer camps only, these colorful, soft and fluffy bits of whimsy have made a comeback. Or rather, pompoms have taken the centerstage in fashion and home décor.
01
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Preparation
Collect your tools and materials: small pieces of recycled cardboard, pencil or marker, scissors, and yarn.
Cut 2 circles from the cardboard, like so: Use a bottle cap or small round object, and draw a perfect circle around it. Then, use a whole punch to open up the center and then cut an inner circle of about 1/4th of the total diameter. Now you’ll have 2 cardboard rings.
02
of 3
Wind Your Yarn
If you are a decoration-nut like me, than decorate your rings as you’ll be looking at them for a while…. ;-) However, step 2 is simply taking some yard and putting it through and around your two rings together like so.
03
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Convert Yarn-ring into Pompom
When the rings are full of yarn, like in the picture, cut in between them all the way around. Now, with double yarn, tie a secure knot in the center of the two. Remove the cardboard rings and fluff your pompom. Trim if/as needed.
And voilà, there’s my first pompom: a tiny one, made 12 years ago shown with the smallest photo ever. LOL.

Pompom Making Tips
Tip 1: Use several shorter threads rather than one super-duper long thread, as it’s faster and less physical exercise.
Tip 2: If you have an exact size of pompom in mind, realise that your final pompom will be 2x the width of the cardboard ring, not counting the inner center cut-out.
Tip 3: consider getting some extra tools if you plan to make large pompom projects, such as a rug.
Tools of the Trade – Pompom Makers
If you want to make very consistent-sized pompoms, and a lot of them, I recommend a pompom maker. This gadget let you make pretty pompoms fast. Choose a set of makers rather than a single size. This is what a pom pom maker looks like:
Click image for more info and purchasing. (thank you for buying through our affiliate links. It is what allows us to keep this a free directory of DIY & craft tutorials and tools.)
Applications & Uses of Pompoms
The possibilities on how to use pompoms are limitless! Decorate cards, crochet, knitting or sewing projects. Use them as ties when hung on a string. String them into handmade jewelry. Hang a few from a boring skirt to jazz things up. Ditto for your kitchen cabinets… Hang a few in the baby nursery room or girl bedroom. A bunch of them will be great for parties, and equally good after the party to be washed, trimmed and sewn on a quilt.
Some Ideas for Pompom Crafts & Projects
What’s your favorite use for pompoms? How are planning to use this pompom tutorial?
First publication of article: 2010. Updated 2022. We hang on to the original images for nostalgia sake. For now at least.