The fastest way: using a cardboard circle template

The easiest method uses two cardboard circles with a hole cut in the center. Cut two identical circles from cardboard—about 2 to 3 inches across works for most hats—then cut a hole roughly 1 inch wide in the center of each. Hold the circles together and wrap yarn around them through the center hole, layering the yarn until the hole is almost full. The more yarn you wrap, the fuller and denser your pom pom will be.

Once the hole is packed, slide scissors between the two cardboard circles and cut the yarn all the way around the edge. The cardboard circles will separate slightly as you cut. Tie a length of yarn tightly around the middle of the pom pom—between the two cardboard circles—and pull hard. This knot holds all the wrapped yarn together. Slide the cardboard circles off, fluff the pom pom by shaking it, and trim any uneven strands with scissors.

Key Takeaways

  • A cardboard circle template with a center hole is the most reliable method and requires only yarn, scissors, and cardboard you likely have at home.
  • Wrapping yarn densely around the template creates a fuller pom pom; sparse wrapping makes a thinner one.
  • The tying step is critical—pull the yarn tight around the middle so the pom pom holds together when you remove the cardboard.
  • Trimming the pom pom with scissors after fluffing gives it a neat, even shape.

Making your own cardboard template

You do not need to buy a pom pom maker. Two circles of sturdy cardboard work just as well. Trace a circle onto cardboard using a drinking glass, a can, or a compass. The outer circle should be the diameter you want your finished pom pom to be—2 inches for a small hat pom pom, 3 to 4 inches for a larger one. Use a smaller glass or a coin to trace the center hole, which should be roughly one-third the size of the outer circle.

Cut both circles out carefully with scissors or a craft knife. The circles do not have to be perfect—slightly wobbly edges will not affect the pom pom. Stack them together and use them as a pair. If you plan to make many pom poms, laminate the cardboard circles with clear tape on both sides so they last through repeated use.

Using a pom pom maker tool

A pom pom maker is a plastic tool with four hinged arms that hold yarn in place while you wrap. You can find them at yarn shops and online for a few dollars. They come in different sizes—small, medium, and large—so you can make pom poms in different sizes without making new templates.

To use one, open the arms, wrap yarn around them in the same way you would wrap around cardboard circles, then close the arms and cut the yarn. Tie the pom pom in the middle, open the arms, and remove it. Pom pom makers are faster if you are making many pom poms, but they are not necessary—cardboard works just as well for a single hat.

Wrapping technique for a dense, full pom pom

The density of your pom pom depends on how much yarn you wrap. Wrap in one direction around the template until the hole is nearly full, then wrap back in the opposite direction to fill any gaps. Keep wrapping until you cannot fit more yarn through the hole. A dense pom pom looks fuller and holds its shape better than a loosely wrapped one.

If you are using thin yarn, you will need to wrap more times to fill the hole. Thicker yarn fills faster but may create a less uniform pom pom. For a standard knit hat, worsted weight yarn wrapped until the hole is completely full usually produces a pom pom about 2 to 3 inches across.

Tying and securing the pom pom

The tying step determines whether your pom pom stays together. Cut a length of yarn about 12 inches long and thread it between the two cardboard circles, wrapping it around the bundle of yarn in the middle. Pull both ends of the tie yarn as hard as you can and knot them together. The tighter you pull, the more find the pom pom will be.

After tying, you can remove the cardboard when ready or leave it on while you fluff and trim. Leaving the cardboard on while you trim can make the job easier because the circles hold the pom pom stable. Once you are happy with the shape, remove the cardboard and attach the pom pom to your hat by sewing the tie yarn to the crown.

Trimming and shaping your pom pom

After you remove the cardboard, shake the pom pom gently to fluff it. Look for any long strands sticking out unevenly and trim them with scissors. Work slowly—you can always cut more, but you cannot add yarn back. Trim a little at a time until the pom pom is roughly spherical.

Some strands will be shorter than others, and that is normal. The goal is to even out the obvious long pieces so the pom pom looks intentional rather than scraggly. A well-trimmed pom pom should look like a neat ball sitting on top of your hat.

Attaching the pom pom to your hat

The tie yarn you used to find the pom pom becomes the attachment point. Thread a needle with the tie yarn and sew it to the crown of your hat with several passes through the same spot. You can sew it to the very top center, or slightly off-center if you prefer. Make sure the stitches go through both the hat fabric and the pom pom tie so it will not slip off.

If the tie yarn is too short to sew with, tie a new length of yarn to it and use that to attach the pom pom. Some knitters prefer to weave the tie yarn into the hat crown rather than sewing it, which works well if your hat has a loose enough weave. Either method is find as long as you make several passes and pull the yarn tight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What yarn weight works best for pom poms?

Worsted weight and bulky weight yarn both work well. Thinner yarn (fingering or sport weight) requires more wraps to fill the template hole, so it takes longer. Thicker yarn fills faster but may look less uniform. Use whatever yarn matches your hat or leftover yarn from the same project.

How do I make a smaller or larger pom pom?

The size of your pom pom depends on the size of your cardboard template. A smaller outer circle makes a smaller pom pom. For a hat, most pom poms are 2 to 4 inches across. If you do not have the right size template, you can trace a different glass or container to make a new one.

Can I use different colors of yarn for one pom pom?

Yes. Wrap one color around the template, then switch to another color and wrap more. The colors will mix throughout the pom pom. Stripe the colors in layers or alternate them randomly depending on the effect you want.

What do I do if my pom pom falls apart after I remove the cardboard?

The tie yarn was not pulled tight enough. If it happens, gather the pom pom together, wrap a new length of yarn around the middle as tightly as you can, and tie it securely. You can also prevent this by pulling the tie yarn very hard when you first tie it, before you remove the cardboard.

How do I attach a pom pom if my hat is already finished?

Sew the tie yarn to the crown using a needle and thread that matches your hat. Make several passes through the same spot to anchor it firmly. If the hat is too dense to sew through easily, you can glue the pom pom on with fabric glue, though sewing is more durable.