Lesson: How to Make Pom Poms

Learn how to make the perfect pom...every time!

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Yarn
Loome tool
Embroidery floss or another strong string
Pom pom trim guide

Yarn needle
Sharp scissors
A bowl or placemat

shop all pom pom supplies

step one

Find the end of your yarn skein (if using Omegacryl, use both tails - one on the inside, one on the outside), place the end(s) in a notch. Wrap yarn around the tool the number of times indicated on the pom pom revolution count guide. Leave a space below the wrapped yarn. When you’re done wrapping, place yarn in any notch to secure it, then cut yarn off the skein.

step two

Unwind roughly an arms-length of embroidery floss and thread it into the U-shaped space below the yarn. Wrap embroidery floss around the center of the wrapped yarn once and then a second time. Place on a flat surface so both ends of the embroidery floss are pointing upwards and perfectly centered on the yarn.

step three

Tie a surgeon’s knot with your embroidery floss to ensure tension when you pull tightly. A surgeon’s knot: loop one embroidery floss end around the other (like the first step of tying your shoes), wrap it around a second time the same way. Pull knot to the surface of your yarn but don’t pull tight yet!

step four

Carefully remove the yarn from your tool, then pull the knot as tight as possible without breaking the string. Use a spare finger to anchor the knot in place, secure with a single regular knot. (Again: like the first step of tying your shoes!) You now have a “pom pom pancake!”

step five

To ensure it’s tied tightly, bring strings to other side & tie again. Spread the loops of the pom pancake, bring both strings around to the other flat side, tie a surgeon’s knot as tightly as possible followed by regular knot. Trim excess floss close to knot. (Keep floss hanging long if you'd like to tie/sew your pom on.)

step six

Trim open all the loops of your pom pom pancake, keeping the pom pom flat as you do. Pull up on the loops for an even cut. Be sure to cut all loops including the ones on the interior of your pom pom pancake!

step seven

Place trim guide in the center of your pom pom pancake, press down and trim, cutting along the edge of your trim guide and turning your pom pom as you go. Bring trim guide to the back and trim again. Fluff pom with your fingers - it should be a football shape. Place trim guide in the center once more, press down & trim again.

step eight

Gently fluff out your pom pom by rolling it around gently in your hands and trim off any remaining stragglers until you have a beautiful round pom!

step nine

Your pom is now ready to be attached to anything you please!! Learn how to securely attach pom poms a number of different ways in our lesson How to Attach Pom Poms & Tassels!