How-To: Make a Pom-Pom without Special Tools

To create a pom-pom without special tools, we will create our own pom-pom template which consists of 2 pieces of cardboard in a C-shape.Use items available around the house like delivery boxes, soup cans, marker, and scissors to create a template. If none of those are available, free-hand drawing by cutting a rough square and rounding the edges until it’s a circle also works. Here are a some projects to use your new pom-pom skills on!

Materials:
2 Pieces Cardboard
2 Round Objects for Tracing
Scissors, Marker

Create Template
The 2 pieces of cardboard will need to be large enough for your desired pom-pom size.

For the round objects, I used a ceramic cover and a small jar top. But a bowl, coffee can, soup can, a juice jug top, cup etc will work. You will need one large and one small circle. The large circle is the most important. You can free-hand the inner circle as best as possible, if necessary.

Create a donut shape by tracing the large circle and then a smaller inner circle. Make sure the inner circle is as centered as possible. Cut along the lines to create the donut.

Create 2 donut templates. Then place them together, line them up, and cut a notch in the side to create a C-shape. Make it big enough to thread the yarn through comfortably.

Wrap the Yarn
Holding the two templates together, thread yarn through, and begin wrapping all the way around the template, keeping the tension as consistent as possible. No need to wrap tightly, just snuggly.

Wrap around once, to cover the template completely, then wrap around again to create bulk.

I did this a total of 3 times.

Cut and Trim Yarn
When desired bulk is reached, knot loose ends together if desired, then wedge scissor tip between cardboard, and carefully cut along outer edge of donut.

Thread a long piece of yarn ( about 12″) between cardboard, cinch, then knot tightly using triple knot.

Remove cardboard, fluff, and carefully trim until pom-pom is smooth and plush! There will be a lot of trimming involved to get a neat pom-pom!