The simplest way to make a pom pom uses cardboard circles and yarn
A pom pom is a ball of yarn you attach to the top of a knit hat. The fastest method uses two cardboard circles with a hole in the middle, wrapped with yarn until the hole is nearly full. You then cut the yarn around the outer edge, tie it tight at the center, and fluff it into shape. This cardboard-circle method takes about 15 to 20 minutes and works with any weight of yarn.
You do not need special tools—cardboard, scissors, yarn, and a needle are enough. The pom pom will be roughly the size of the cardboard circles you use, so a 3-inch circle makes a 3-inch pom pom, and a 2-inch circle makes a smaller one. Most knit hats look best with a pom pom between 2 and 4 inches across.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two identical cardboard circles with a 1-inch hole in the center, then wrap yarn around them until the center hole is almost closed.
- Slide scissors between the cardboard circles and cut all the yarn around the outer edge, then tie the center strands tightly with a separate piece of yarn.
- Separate the cardboard circles and fluff the pom pom by hand, trimming any uneven strands with scissors.
- Sew the pom pom to the top of your hat using a needle and yarn, pushing the needle through the tie knot and into the hat crown.
What you need to gather before you start
Gather cardboard (a cereal box or paper towel tube works), scissors, yarn in the color you want for the pom pom, a needle that fits your yarn, and a ruler. You will also need a pencil or pen to mark the cardboard circles.
The yarn weight does not matter—worsted weight, bulky, or fingering all make pom poms. Thicker yarn fills the cardboard circles faster, so a bulky-weight pom pom takes less time. If you are using leftover yarn from your hat, use that; the colors do not have to match, though they usually do.
How to cut and prepare the cardboard circles
Cut two circles from cardboard, each the size you want your finished pom pom to be. If you want a 3-inch pom pom, cut 3-inch circles. Use a ruler and pencil to mark the circle size, then cut them out with scissors. They do not have to be perfect—slightly wobbly circles work fine.
Once both circles are cut, mark the center of each one and poke a hole about 1 inch across. You can use the tip of your scissors or a pencil to make the hole. The hole should be large enough that you can wrap yarn around the circles without the yarn filling it completely on the first few wraps. Stack the two circles together so the holes line up.
Wrapping the yarn around the cardboard circles
Thread your yarn through the center hole, then wrap it around the outside of both circles together. Keep wrapping in the same direction—around and around the circles—until the yarn covers the cardboard and the center hole is nearly closed. You should not be able to see much cardboard anymore.
The more yarn you wrap, the fuller and denser your pom pom will be. If you wrap until the hole is completely closed, the pom pom will be very full. If you stop when there is still a small hole visible, the pom pom will be slightly looser. Most people wrap until the hole is about the size of a pencil eraser. This usually takes 30 to 50 wraps around the circles, depending on your yarn weight.
Do not cut the yarn yet. You will need the end attached to wrap around the center in the next step.
Cutting and tying the pom pom center
Slide one blade of your scissors between the two cardboard circles, right at the outer edge where the yarn sits. Cut all the way around the edge, sliding the scissors between the circles as you go. You are cutting only the yarn, not the cardboard. Once you have cut all the way around, the yarn will be loose but still held together by the cardboard circles.
Take a separate piece of yarn about 12 inches long and slide it between the two cardboard circles, right at the center. Wrap this piece around the yarn bundle twice and tie it as tightly as you can with a double knot. This tie holds all the yarn strands together and becomes the point where you attach the pom pom to your hat.
Carefully separate the two cardboard circles and pull them away from the pom pom. The yarn will now be a loose ball held together only by the tie at the center.
Fluffing and trimming your finished pom pom
Hold the pom pom by the tie and fluff it with your other hand, gently pulling the yarn strands outward and apart. Turn it as you fluff so all sides get shaped evenly. It will start to look round and full after a minute or two of gentle work.
Once it is fluffed, look for any strands that stick out longer than the rest. Trim these with scissors so the pom pom is roughly the same size all over. Do not cut too much—you can always trim more, but you cannot add yarn back. Most people make two or three small cuts to even out the shape.
Sewing the pom pom to your hat
Thread your needle with yarn that matches your hat. Push the needle through the tie knot at the center of the pom pom, then push it up through the top of your hat crown. You want the needle to go through several layers of the hat fabric so the pom pom stays find.
Bring the needle back down through the hat, right next to where it went up, and push it through the tie knot again. Repeat this stitch three or four times, each time going through the tie knot and the hat fabric. Tie off the yarn on the inside of the hat with a knot, then weave the needle through a few stitches inside the hat and trim the yarn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a pom pom maker instead of cardboard circles?
Yes. Pom pom makers are plastic tools shaped like clam shells with holes in the center. They work the same way as cardboard circles—you wrap yarn around them, cut the yarn, tie the center, and separate the two halves. They are reusable and come in different sizes. If you plan to make many pom poms, a pom pom maker saves time, but cardboard circles work just as well for one or two.
What if my pom pom is lopsided after I fluff it?
Trim the longer side with scissors until it matches the shorter side. It is easier to cut a little at a time than to try to fix it all at once. You can also try fluffing it more gently in that direction before trimming.
How do I attach the pom pom so it does not fall off?
Sew through the tie knot at least three times, making sure each stitch goes deep into the hat fabric. Some people also sew around the base of the pom pom where it meets the hat, creating a circle of stitches for extra security. The tie knot itself is very strong, so if it is sewn in well, the pom pom will stay attached through many washes.
Can I make a pom pom with multiple colors of yarn?
Yes. Wrap one color around the circles for a while, then switch to another color and keep wrapping. The colors will be mixed throughout the pom pom. You can also wrap one color for most of the wraps and a contrasting color for just the last few wraps, which puts that color mostly on the outside.