Pom-Pom Tutorial

This is a tutorial for making pom-poms using your
fingers. This one is a small, two-finger pom-pom
(about 1" in diameter) but you can make bigger ones
by using more fingers. As far as yarn choice, thinner
and softer yarn will make a more pleasing pom-pom.


Okay, let's get started! With your index and middle
fingers together and holding the end of your yarn down
with your thumb, begin wrapping the yarn around your
fingers. Be careful not to wrap too tightly
- no purple fingers!


Cut your yarn when you've finished wrapping;
for this pom-pom I've wrapped the yarn 75 times.

*Tip: For any size pom-pom, you'll probably wrap the
yarn twice as much as you think you will need.


Cut another piece of yarn, about 12", and squeeze one end
through your fingers between the pom-pom and your palm.
Bring the other end of the yarn string through
your fingers at the tips.


This is a picture of the backside, make sure your yarn
string wraps all the way around your pom-pom bundle.


Begin a knot, pulling as tight as you can, then slip
the pom-pom off of your fingers.


Still pulling tightly, finish off the knot.


Holding the pom-pom yarn strings, use your scissors
and cut through all the loops of the pom-pom.


This is what it looks like after you've cut all
the loops, a woolly bully mess!


Now comes my favorite part :) Still holding the yarn
strings, start cutting down your pom-pom.

*Tip: you'll probably end up cutting twice as much
off as you thought you would.


Trim with the scissor blades flat along the pom-pom
to help get a smooth finish. Check it from different
angles and fluff it up with your fingers, then trim some
more. Be sure to trim around the bottom end where
you are holding it. The pom-pom should feel
firm when you're done.


Voila! A pretty little pom-pom!

I keep the yarn strings on until I'm ready to use it,
then I trim them off the same length as the rest of the pom-pom.

*Visit my other blog, The Crafty Crow, for useful tips on
making these pom-poms with children!

Comments

[Juliana]

Hooray! A perfect touch to my dolly-sized tam! Awesome tutorial - thanks so much!!!

[Tania Tangri]

This is such an amazing tutorial. I was making a pom pom for the first time, and followed the instructions here. It came out perfect. Thanks much.

This is the link to the pom pom I made:
http://turtlecraftygirl.blogspot.com/2010/12/elmo-cookie-monster-pom-pom.html

[Wendy]

thank you so much for the wonderful istructions, super easy and now I know how to do this, you made my day!

[Suzanne]

This was just the perfect tutorial for me today. I have to make a small pompom and didn't feel like using the cardboard template. Thank you!

[Pam]

Pompom makers are worthless. I will try your method and see what happens. I too have trouble with the middle threads easily pulling out, even though tightly tying the middle string. Why is that??? Have even used fishing line with no avail. Am I still not pulling tight enough? UGH!

[Janet]

You can make a multi colored pom by holding strands of two or more colors together when wrapping. When using bulky or multiple stranded yarns you don't have to wrap as many times. Just make it thick.

[Lil]

I have used a pompom maker, but will try your method..what I have trouble with is that when it is a thick middle the knot eventhough tightly pulled...the strings are easily pulled out...why is that???...Thinking of use a strong nylon thread in the middle to make the knot which might help, but I might be missing something.
Thanks for any help.

[Airey-blog.blogspot.com]

Thank you SO much for such a great tutorial. I've never made a pom-pom in my life until now. The steps were simple and easy to follow, and the results are fantastic. Just what I needed! :)

[Felicia]

I just finished crocheting a baby bunting for my new grandson to come home from the hospital. I made this pom pom to add to the top of the hood. I left the strands a little longer than shown but I must say it came out beautiful. Thanks for this video I couldn't of done it without your help!!

[Merry]

This is SOOOO good. Will get practising right away! Thanks :)

[Croom]

Thank you so much.

I used a thin cold thread and made them smaller and have decorated my hand made cards with them, they look like little golden balls.
Thank you.

[Cotton Tapestries]

super cool tutorial. Will try this at my next quilting class.

[Sarah]

You should enter this in the Instructables Summer Yarns contest! It's perfect!

[anonimo]

coisaaa feiia

[Kristi]

I love this tutorial for myself, an adult. I wonder, how well does it work for children to do? I can't see 1st graders and younger actually being able to pull this off. I am trying to find a way to make pom-poms for a Bible school sheep. Any suggestions on how to make this an easy process for kids? Our pom-pom needs to have 2 inch yarns. (Planning to use 2 pieces of 4 inch carboard.)

[Karlinha;]

Lindo, lindo! Maravilhoso!!

It's amazing. :D
Thank you.

[twitter.com/rembunten]

This was so easy! I love it!

[Monika]

Super star. That's what you are. What a terrific tute.

[Hikikomorihime]

Tutorials are love! ^_^ Thanks for this, as I was able to give my knit hat its finishing touch.

[BethAnn]

I am going to use this to teach kids how to make these as "Tribbles" for a Class at work on Wednesday! Thanks so much!

[Colleen Smith]

This is a great tutorial! Thanks so much! Can anyone tell me at what point in the tutorial, I would add a ponytail holder. I am making these as party favors. Thanks!

[Thriftgoddess!]

Perfect.

[Amy Brown]

love it! Thank you!

[faweeza]

thanks for the link...
It's wonderful! I really appreciate your support!

[Kate]

This tutorial saved a lot of hassle with cardboard! It is great! Thank you.