DIY Pom Poms

If you don’t absolutely love pom poms or haven’t ever considered making them yourself, perhaps we can sway you after this week’s DIY. We adore pom poms and were beyond excited to discover the Clover Pom Pom Maker, which allows you to crank out pom poms of all sizes and 10 times faster than the conventional method. You will need a few skeins of yarn, a Clover Pom Pom Maker and a pair of scissors.

The Clover Pom Pom Maker separates the process into two halves; you’ll start the first half of the pom pom by cutting about 7 yards of yarn. A time saving trick is to double it up twice, so you are working with 4 strands at one time. Because time is money, right? Wrap the yarn from one edge of the arch to the other, making sure you have the entire area covered. Close the arch and repeat the same steps on the other side. Once both arches are covered, insert your scissors into the middle ridge and cut along the entire circle. Tie off your pom pom by slipping a piece of yarn along the middle, pull it into a tight knot, open your arch and pull your pom pom maker apart. Trim up your pom pom if necessary but leave the long piece of yarn you used to tie it together, as you’ll need that to attach your pom poms to….well, just about anything. (Click images to enlarge).

We must warn you that this process is quite addicting and you really can’t stop at just one. The possibilities are endless as you can make this, this, this, this, this, this, this or this. But in the end, Lauren and I chose to make this:

(all images by Honestly…WTF)

Leave a Comment

194 Comments

  1. That’s so badass!!!

    8.25.10
    Reply
  2. B4 Rancher wrote:

    Love the PomPoms. Can’t wait to make some myself.
    Your photos are so inspiring it makes me want to get out there and go crazy with yarn !

    8.25.10
    Reply
  3. Deana wrote:

    LOVE these things! The pom pom maker makes all the difference I tried it with the donut style and it never quite worked out. I guess its time to spring for the clover one!

    8.25.10
    Reply
  4. Tamar wrote:

    LOVE!

    8.25.10
    Reply
  5. samantha wrote:

    amazing! i need to make these for my wedding or my bridal shower or something!
    i have made pom poms by hand before but never with a pom pom maker! wow!!

    so cool! totally added this to my tumblr!

    xo
    sami
    http://www.aglimpseofglamour.com

    8.25.10
    Reply
  6. I remember the commercials for those growing up. They were especially popular during Bewitched reruns.

    8.25.10
    Reply
  7. Cindy wrote:

    I have never seen these before that I can recall. I’m on my way to buy a dozen. My kids will be forced to earn their keep from now on by churning out pom poms night and day.
    Thanks. Love your blog.

    8.25.10
    Reply
  8. anh wrote:

    i love pompoms and this is such a great way of making them.

    8.25.10
    Reply
  9. sally wrote:

    this is too too much! so cute!

    8.25.10
    Reply
  10. gwenstella wrote:

    I LOVE pom poms. but i don’t have an awesome pom pom maker like yours. and sometimes the yarn fall out of the pom pom! 🙁

    8.25.10
    Reply
  11. Cherine wrote:

    Had SO much fun making pom poms with Lauren! Cant wait to make myself something adorable!

    8.25.10
    Reply
  12. Monique wrote:

    Love this project. So cute! And just inherited a pile of yarn… perfect!

    8.25.10
    Reply
  13. Stephanie wrote:

    you always have the BEST DIY!! I have been working on my friendship necklace (you posted a few weeks ago inspired by a flare editorial) for weeks now- I am trying to make tons and tons of strands but it is so time consuming! I’ll send a pic when its done 🙂

    http://lachicmenagerie.blogspot.com

    8.25.10
    Reply
  14. Summer wrote:

    Stunning! I’ve got to get my hands on one of those clever tools!

    8.26.10
    Reply
  15. First of all, I love Cindy’s idea to employ the kids in making these. 🙂

    Also, there’s an amazing etsy seller called Yokoo who makes fabulous knitted accessories. I bought a GIANT pom pom necklace/scarf from her a while ago & have been tapping my toe waiting for fall to arrive so I can wear it. I don’t see any in her shop right now, but you guys might like it anyway http://www.etsy.com/shop/Yokoo

    8.27.10
    Reply
  16. Margot wrote:

    Bought my supplies yesterday and was so excited to get started but I forgot to get heavy duty scissors! Going to spend the weekend making pom-pom’s!!

    8.27.10
    Reply
  17. These are fabulous! I had pompoms at my wedding and I would love to do some garlands. What size pom pom maker did you use for the garlands?

    8.28.10
    Reply
  18. lauren wrote:

    Miss Natalie,
    I love that you had pom-poms at your wedding. I am using those garlands for a friends baby shower in a few weeks..they are so universal. Everyone loves them!!
    Clover sells a set of 2 large pom pom makers, blue and green. We used the blue one which is 3 3/8″
    http://www.clover-usa.com/product/268067/3126/_/Pom_Pom_Maker_-_Large

    or a little cheaper here…
    http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=xprd1144564

    Warning they are super addicting!
    besos,
    Lauren

    8.28.10
    Reply
  19. ooooh I once did this as a kid!! its so so much fun!!!!!! thanks for bringing back the memories :))

    xx
    http://francamaisha.blogspot.com/

    8.29.10
    Reply
  20. Rachel wrote:

    That garland is gorgeous! I recently made a pom-pom necklace (tutorial here: http://transientexpression.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/tutorial-tuesday-pom-pom-necklace/ ), and that pom-pom maker would’ve been handy to have. But you can only make one size, correct?

    9.1.10
    Reply
  21. Stephanie Booth wrote:

    My son and I saw this: http://bit.ly/cI7STU pom-pom chain scarf at JC Penney, and even he thought it was awesome!

    9.6.10
    Reply
  22. Erin wrote:

    I was inspired by your pom pom making! I made a wreath:
    http://luckybydesign.blogspot.com/2010/09/weekend-craftiness-pom-pom-wreath.html

    9.12.10
    Reply
  23. alex wrote:

    Oooo… love these! I’m inspired to host a pompom party now to create these garlands for my wedding. About how much yarn should I purchase to make the 5 strands of garland shown in your picture?
    Thanks 🙂

    9.15.10
    Reply
  24. I just stumbled on this garland and I AM IN LOVE.

    I’m thinking about making something similar for Halloween or Christmas (in different colors, of course). My head is spinning.

    So cute!
    Camberley

    9.27.10
    Reply
  25. Lynn wrote:

    Must…buy…pom pom…maker…

    11.3.10
    Reply
  26. dear joan, i really, really love your pompom’s. i just made an item about them on my blog as a consolation for my blog friends here who are getting depressed from the rain and grey skies. i hope you don’t mind?

    11.14.10
    Reply
  27. scarlett.belles wrote:

    So fabulously charming! Argh, I am now a pom pom making addict – my bed is littered with little scraps of yarn… I’m making a garland like yours to decorate my vintage caravan with (yay) and making one in tiered rings (with the help of my friend, wire) as a mobile for a baby gift for our neighbour!
    Yay for pom poms!!
    <3

    11.17.10
    Reply
  28. Claire wrote:

    Love this! What a fun, whimsical idea for a bright and colorful wedding or event!

    11.18.10
    Reply
  29. Vivian wrote:

    Ahahaha omg I had never seen the pompom machine ! I usually do it with old dear cardboard! I make two circles out of it and then go around with the thread! But this is very nice! Who know where could I buy nearby! Here in Italy we aren’t so smart about those things that make life easier ahahaha! We are traditional ! ;D
    Awesome anyway!

    11.27.10
    Reply
  30. Heather M wrote:

    Im in love with this!! It is on the top of my diy list. Im gonna go get the machine tomorrow! How did you connect them?

    1.21.11
    Reply
  31. Sarah wrote:

    I LOVE THAT!! I’ve been using two pieces of cardboard to make pom poms. I NEED THIS TOOL!

    3.14.11
    Reply
  32. Those are so cool! Adding one to my shopping list NOW!

    3.14.11
    Reply
  33. Lauren wrote:

    I am doing this!

    3.16.11
    Reply
  34. Brooklyn wrote:

    I love yarn again thanks to you!!!!!!!!

    3.31.11
    Reply
  35. Theresa wrote:

    Love the garland and was just wondering how you attached the poms together?

    4.7.11
    Reply
  36. jackie r. wrote:

    just wondering exactly which pom pom maker was used to create the garland? small, medium, large? i dont want to go to big – i think this is the perfect size!

    4.9.11
    Reply
    • erica wrote:

      @Jackie, we used the blue “medium Clover pom pom maker” for our garlands!

      4.9.11
  37. jackie r. wrote:

    ^^ thanks for responding erica! i actually purchased my clover pom pom maker yesterday, so i plan on getting started this morning 🙂

    just ONE MORE question – how should i attached the pom poms to each other?

    4.12.11
    Reply
  38. erica wrote:

    @Jackie, we used 2 pieces of yarn at opposing ends to tie off the pom pom. We then used those long pieces to tie the pom poms together. Just be sure not to trim these pieces when trimming your pom poms! Good luck!

    4.15.11
    Reply
  39. jackie r. wrote:

    ^^ great! thanks for all the help erica! i will post pictures when i finish mine! 🙂

    4.15.11
    Reply
  40. i know you posted this a bit ago but i think it’s just right for spring, don’t you?!

    had to post it on my blog for diy day, thanks for sharing your awesome ideas!

    http://finelittlehome.blogspot.com/2011/04/diy-day_27.html

    4.27.11
    Reply
  41. alison wrote:

    Years ago we used two cardboard pieces cut into hoops to make these! who ever invented this device is a bloody genius! I am going to buy it right now!

    5.29.11
    Reply
  42. Lindsey G wrote:

    I work at Michael’s and I had to do a demo once with the heart shaped pom pom maker. It was so cute. Clover makes some great products, even if they’re a little bit expensive and the instructions are kind of intense at first. I have a bias tape maker of theirs and a template for making those fabric flower pom pom things that you see all over clothes and shoes and headbands these days. How fun! I want to go buy one now!!!

    6.15.11
    Reply
  43. Karin wrote:

    You don’t even need a pom pom-maker, you could just cut out two equal sized circles in hard paper, then cut hole in the middle of both and put them on top of each other. Works just the same as the maker, and is way cheaper!

    6.23.11
    Reply
  44. Allison wrote:

    Seriously, I didn’t even know pom poms could be this amazing. I’m going to rock these bad boys for every holiday or celebration I can think of. Halloween? Yes. Thanksgiving? You know it. Arbor Day? Why not.

    Loved it so much I linked to it on my blog. Here you go:
    http://bit.ly/kO1ZEN

    Cheers,
    Allison

    7.1.11
    Reply
  45. Very awesome.

    7.11.11
    Reply
  46. Aaria wrote:

    Love these pom poms.. so colorful ….. 😀

    7.12.11
    Reply
  47. Chelsi wrote:

    Very cute! But I don’t get what you’re supposed to do with the pom poms?

    7.13.11
    Reply
  48. Lorena wrote:

    So awesome

    8.3.11
    Reply
  49. dayla wrote:

    these are so cute! i’ve never seen anything like them before!

    9.1.11
    Reply
  50. shirl wrote:

    Hey guys love these pom poms,make some for my daughters cheer squad and put a bell in the middle.Can anyone help me figure out a good item to use to attach these to shoe strings that will hold up.Thank you.Also if you lightly spray these pom poms with starch they stay so nice.Have a great day everyone 🙂

    9.9.11
    Reply
  51. Anita Peretti wrote:

    use 2 metal washers and wrap yarn around works really well and cheaper to get various sizes

    9.26.11
    Reply
  52. jill wrote:

    love this! i just have one question about making the garland…instead of tying them together, could i just take a needle and thread them together? or are they not built like that? thanks!

    9.27.11
    Reply
  53. carla wrote:

    Love it!!!!!

    11.8.11
    Reply
  54. Overall, the Better Than Naked Jacket is fantastic for long distance running in unpredictable climates.

    11.10.11
    Reply
  55. panamenian girl wrote:

    Here in panama we call that pompons motas and we do that craft in folk class since we have 6 or 7 years

    12.2.11
    Reply
  56. Erika wrote:

    love this – just bought one and made a garland for myself and for a friend 🙂 what did you use as the base for the wreath? it’s the perfect time for a christmas wreath!

    12.12.11
    Reply
  57. venessa wrote:

    These are awesome! My wedding colors are peach, pastel yellow and mint green! But just exactly do you make a garland and tie the little pom poms?? Thanks!

    1.2.12
    Reply
  58. Lee wrote:

    So colorful. Can’t wait to try these.

    1.29.12
    Reply
  59. Susana wrote:

    This is so so cute! I love them!

    6.9.12
    Reply
  60. Lexie Holtz wrote:

    I love this idea for my bf baby shower. Quick question…what did you make the actually garland up of…rope, garland??? I’ve made the pom poms, just need some ideas of what’s next for the garland. Thanks do much!

    6.14.12
    Reply
  61. lisa wrote:

    could you please tell me what type of yarn you recommend for this project? your yarn looks loose and poofy but on ebay i keep coming across a much tighter yarn.
    just bought the pom pom maker and plan on doing this project : )

    thanks!

    6.15.12
    Reply
  62. Marina Cuneo wrote:

    I had my daycare kids make these! very fun!! these pom pom makers aren’t necessary though… we just cut out rings of carboard and it worked great!

    6.17.12
    Reply
  63. little_miss_sunshine wrote:

    I don’t think everyone had the blue criclething that you are using. I’m doing the pompoms with carboard ( in german it means “pappe” ) ,cut a circle out and in it i cut out a smaller circle. Thats the same 🙂

    size:

    1.Circle: 6-7 cm 2. smaller circle in the1. circle : 1 – 1.5 cm

    Then spooling the wool around the carboard . if the 2. smaller circle inside is concealed you can also use a needle.then 1 round more. Now u tahe the scissors and cut open the wool around the first big circle .after that: cut the carboard away and ready!

    I hope I could helped you to explain it :))))) soryy if it was already clear and this comment was needless

    7.11.12
    Reply
  64. MiRon wrote:

    Aloha! I’m trying to make pom poms with the “pom pom maker” but everytime I finish off and pull the pom pom out, the strings easily pull out. Any suggestions?

    9.8.12
    Reply
  65. Paytre wrote:

    If you liked those, you might also like a POM POM BLANKET!! Check it out on The Squirrel King:

    http://squirrelkingthemovie.blogspot.com/p/whats-this-all-about.html

    Cheerio Rufus

    10.8.12
    Reply
  66. Caroline wrote:

    Hi. I wish you’d included a few instructions on how to actually make the pom pom garland. How to make the pom poms is straight forward, how to make them INTO something amazing, like the photos above, is less straight forward. Are there instructions available for the garland?

    12.2.12
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Caroline Leave that last piece of yarn long, when tying the pom pom together, and then tie another long piece of yarn in the same area but in the opposite direction. Now you’re left with two long pieces of yarn on opposite sides. Use these to connect the pom poms together. Hope that helps!!

      12.2.12
  67. Sandra wrote:

    I bought the Clover set (XS and S) and wasn’t able to figure out the instructions. I Googled “Clover pom pom maker AND how to” and found several excellent You Tube videos with clear directions. Easy. A key is to have very sharp scissors. Love the garland! Making one for a gift. Thanks for posting.

    12.9.12
    Reply
  68. sheila barnes wrote:

    I must have a pom pom maker right now!!!!!

    12.16.12
    Reply
  69. Christina wrote:

    I’ve been using cardboard to make poms for 4 years!!!!!!!!!!!!! I must have this amazing device now!

    12.17.12
    Reply
  70. Jen wrote:

    What a fab little device! Such a time saver, I love making pom poms but never knew these existed. So much easier than cardboard!

    12.22.12
    Reply
  71. “DIY Pom Poms – Honestly WTF” was in fact a excellent blog.
    If it owned a lot more pictures it would certainly be
    possibly even better. Thanks -Polly

    1.10.13
    Reply
  72. meixi wrote:

    Cool stuff! I could use those pom poms to decorate presents ^^

    http://thiscache.blogspot.sg/

    2.28.13
    Reply
  73. hazydaze wrote:

    I lovher?ete these garlands,sooo sweet.Can you tell me how you attatched them all tog

    3.21.13
    Reply
  74. hazydaze wrote:

    I Love these garlands,sooo sweet.Can you tell me how you attatched them all together please?

    3.21.13
    Reply
  75. Riley wrote:

    I love this. I going to make one for my room.

    7.8.13
    Reply
  76. snowbunny wrote:

    I love making pom poms for beanies! I’ve never used a pom pom maker though, just two pieces of cardboard work fine. make two doughnut shaped pieces slightly larger than you want your pom pom to be. Wrap them up in yarn and then cut right along the edge. Slip a piece of string in between the two layers of cardboard and tie it tight. Viola!

    10.12.13
    Reply
  77. You could decorate everything with lots of colorful pom poms! That would be fun and cool.

    3.15.14
    Reply
  78. Carol wrote:

    How can I make the pom poms tighter? The strands pull out too easily.

    3.25.14
    Reply
  79. Alberta wrote:

    Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images
    on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    8.1.14
    Reply
  80. fantastic issues altogether, you just won a emblem new reader.
    What might you recommend about your post that you made some
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    8.16.14
    Reply
  81. These pom poms are so fun! Even just as pom pom garlands, like you have in this post. What a fun party decor!

    They remind me of Felt Ball Garlands, have you seen any? If you haven’t, check them out here, they’re great!

    http://www.pinterest.com/feltballrug/felt-garlands/

    8.30.14
    Reply
  82. Ezequiel wrote:

    I was more than happy to find this page. I need to to thank you for your time for
    this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely loved every
    bit of it and i also have you book marked to see new things in your web site.

    9.7.14
    Reply
  83. Katti DIY wrote:

    OMG this is so cute! Have to do it, too. 🙂

    9.9.14
    Reply
  84. great issues altogether, you simply won a new reader.
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    12.10.14
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    5.29.15
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