How to Use a Pom Pom Maker - Made Simple for Beginners

Learn how to use a pom pom maker with this easy step-by-step tutorial. Technology has come to the party and taken over the old-fashioned way of making pom poms with cardboard. Now with a pom pom maker, you can say goodbye to cutting out cardboard circles and say hello to a nifty little plastic tool. The modern pom pom maker is a plastic tool shaped like a doughnut that makes fluffy pom poms easily and quickly.

How to Use a Pom Pom Maker Tutorial

Supplies Needed for Using a Pom Pom Maker

First and foremost, you need a pom pom maker device. Some are supplied as a single maker, while others come in sets with different sizes. 

In addition, you need:

• Yarn for the pom-pom
• Sharp pair of scissors

What is Pom Pom Maker?

A pom pom maker is a plastic device whose purpose is to make pom poms faster than other methods. It has 2 pieces that are held together, usually through a pin in the center or interlocking nodules. The yarn is wrapped around the 2 halves before being cut and tied together.

Types and Brands of Pom Pom Makers

The main pom pom maker brands are Craft Pom Pom, Habico Pom Pom, Clover Pom Pom Maker, and Brawdress. There are also lots of generic brands sold on Amazon, eBay and in discount craft stores.

They come in four different sizes, which gives you a choice of size depending on the hole size in the pom pom maker. 

If you do not have a pom pom maker, try a cardboard cutout or wrap the yarn around a fork. However, the store-bought pompom maker is by far the easiest method for making pom poms.

Best Yarn to Use with Pom Pom Makers

Acrylic yarn is the best choice when you are making pom poms. The thicker the yarn, the fuller the pom pom will be. You can use yarn of any weight but I like using DK yarn (8ply) or worsted weight yarns (10ply).

Other types of yarns like wool, mohair, and even alpaca make very fluffy pom poms. If you are needing something small and delicate, silk blends make soft, delicate pom poms. 

Pom poms are a great way to use up scraps of yarn left over from a previous knitting or crochet project. Combining different colors will make an interesting multicolored pom pom. The important factor to remember is to use the same yarn ply together in one pom pom.

Sizes of Pom Pom Makers

Pom pom makers made of durable plastic come in four sizes. Each size has a particular diameter for example, 1 ⅜" (3.5cm), 2" (5cm), 2 ¾" (7cm) and 3.5" (9cm). These diameters, of course, will vary slightly between brands. Check the packet label for the sizes of your finished pom poms.

Although there are four standard sizes, the final project will depend on the yarn and how often you wind it around the pom pom maker.

How to Use a Pom Pom Maker Video Tutorial

Learn how to use a pom pom maker with this step by step video. It will also show you how to make pom poms with cardboard.

How to Use a Pom Pom Maker Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Open Up the Pom Pom Maker

Follow the supplier's directions and open up the gadget. You will see there are 2 pieces. Play around a little with the arms and screws to be sure to know how it works.

Step 2: Wrap the Yarn Around the First Semi-Circle

Put the 2 sides together. The pom pom maker pictured had interlocking nodules. Some others will have a pin to join them together.

Choose the yarn you will use and wrap a piece of yarn around the first arm of the pom pom maker (wrap around both parts). 

Keep wrapping until you are satisfied you have wrapped enough yarn to fill the semi-circle of the pom pom maker. 

Step 3: Wrap Around the Second Side

Cut the yarn and secure the first side by tucking the yarn under the threads.

Move over to the opposite arms of the pom pom maker and begin to wind the yarn on the second side. Do this in exactly the same way as you did the first side. Try to get the same thickness of yarn wraps.

Step 4: Close the Pom Pom Maker and Cut the Yarn

Click the pom pom maker closed. It may just hold closed or there may be a small catch on the side to secure it.

You will see where the two sides meet there is a gap or space to insert your scissors. Cut the yarn threads all the way around the side of the pom pom maker. 

Hold the center tightly so the strands do not pull out because they are loose at this stage.

Step 5: Tie your Pom Pom

Take another piece of yarn approximately 10 inches (25cm) long and thread it through the edge of the disks.

Wind it tightly a couple of times around the center of the cut pom pom. 

Pull tight the yarn tight before tying a double knot. I like to knot the yarn once, then wrap again and knot a second time. This makes the center extra tight and secure. You don't want any of the strands to pull out later.

Leave a long tail of yarn to use to attach your pom pom to a hat or any other project you have in mind.

Step 6: Separate the Pom Pom Maker and Trim

Now is the moment of truth. Open your pom pom maker and ease the finished pom pom out into the open. It should look full and fluffy. 

Take your scissors to trim off any loose ends and neaten the pom pom all around. 

Pack away your nifty machine, and either use your pom pom right away or save it for a rainy day.

How to Make a Pom Pom without a Pom Pom Maker

To see all the methods for making a pom pom without a plastic maker, see my article on DIY pom poms. Here are the main 3 alternative methods:

Pom Poms With Cardboard Disks

If you do not own a pom pom maker you can make pom poms with cardboard which is the traditional way. The method is almost the same as using a plastic pom pom maker but you will have to cut out cardboard disks to use as your tool.

• Cut 2 circles of card with a hole in the middle like a donut. Cut a slit in one side.
• Put the 2 pieces of card together, lining up the slits.
• Wrap yarn around the disks.
• Cut around the outer edge.
• Insert a piece of yarn between the edge of the 2 disks and wrap around the center tightly. Knot securely.
• Remove the pom pom from the cardboard disks.

With Your Hand

Another alternative to how to use a pom pom maker is to wind the yarn around your hand. Read my article on how to make pom poms for a full tutorial on this quick and easy method.

With a Fork

Instead of using a pom pom maker, you can use a fork for tiny pom poms that can be used for jewelry and keychains.

How to Use a Pom Pom Maker FAQs

How to Make Rainbow Pom Poms

Rainbow pom poms are easy to make. Firstly you will need your bright rainbow colors of any contrasting colors. Use up all your scraps of yarn.

There are two ways you can wrap the colors around the pom pom maker.

• Wrap one color at a time in sections. This gives your pom poms definite color sections like the ones on the left below.
• Wrap the colors over each other. This gives more of a speckled look like the pom poms on the right below.

How to Make Fuller Pom Poms of Yarn

The first easiest way to make a fuller pom pom is to buy fluffier wool that is of better quality. The more yarn you use in the winding, the fuller and fluffier the end result will be. Another idea is to trim your pom pom down for a fuller effect.

Another trick is to use a small brush to fluff out the wool on the finished pom pom. Brush using a small bristle brush or a pet hairbrush. There are small brushes for cats if you want to try this method.

How Many Times Do You Wrap Yarn Around a Pom Pom Maker?

It is difficult to give a hard and fast rule. The number of times you wrap the yarn around depends on the type of yarn and the size of pom pom you want to make. The yarn must cover all the plastic of the pom pom maker. It should be several layers thick.

How to Cut a Pom Pom Evenly

The secret to cutting your pom pom evenly is having very good, sharp scissors and using either a pom pom maker or a double layer of cardboard disks. The double-layer allows your scissors to slip in-between the card and cut neatly all around. Good scissors and even snips will ensure an even cut.

How to Use a Pom Pom Maker - In Conclusion

If you want to make multiple pom poms all the same size, learning how to use a pom-pom maker is your answer. Pom poms are great fun to brighten up all sorts of projects. Go a bit crazy and make a giant pom pom for cheerleading or settle for a tiny one to stitch on a baby’s beanie. Big or small, a pom pom finishes it all.