There are plenty of ways to make pompoms, from DIY cardboard circle templates to store bought tools. Many of them are great, but all of them require lots and lots of winding. I find that to be the tedious not-fun part of pompom making. I decided to try out my yarn winder to see if I could make a dense fluffy pompom with it.

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

If you’re a knitter, you probably already have a yarn winder. They’re usually used in conjunction with a yarn swift to wind a hank of yarn into a ball for hand knitting. My winder is really old and kind of funny looking, but you get the idea.

 

bwhite pom tutorial winder

 

This technique will make 2 medium sized pompoms at a time. Practice with some yarn from your stash, preferably wool (you’ll see why later). In these examples, I used a worsted weight, but other weights would work as well but result in a different look. Start by winding the yarn onto the winder. You can use one color or tie several different yarns together. Wind until the wrapping is about ½” or so thick. Winding more will make a bigger, thicker pompoms.

Cut 2 lengths of yarn ties in contrast colors. I used green and purple. This will help you tell the difference between the ties and what’s the pompom yarn. Fold them in half to be used double for strength.

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

Carefully slip the yarn off of the winder, keeping your thumb in the center.

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

Now thread the two ties through the center and slip your thumb out. You may want to use a large tapestry needle or bodkin help you pull the yarn through.

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

Tie the ends of one tie together as tightly as you can.

bwhite pom tutorial

 

Turn the bundle over and tie the second tie together tightly on the opposite side. Now comes the fun part!

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

With the knots on either side start cutting the yarn in the middle, a little at a time. Basically you are separating the bunch into two separate pompoms. Snip snip snip!

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

Look, conjoined pompoms…

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

Once separated, if you find that your ties are not tight enough around the center, double them back around and tie them again. Shake out each pompom and trim them up with scissors, kinda like trimming a hedge. (I tried using one tie and made one pompom, but I didn’t like how floppy it was. I may try it again but with more yarn!)

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

Now for the finishing touch: steam! Because I used wool yarn, I can fluff the pompoms with a little steam. I used my veggie steamer with just a little water and threw them in the pot for a few minutes. The steam really makes the ends of the yarn bloom. Keep the water low so they don’t get wet when it starts to boil! (Also, don’t let the ties dangle over the edge to char and make the house smell like burning hair. Just sayin’.) In the photo above, the 2 pompoms on the bottom were steamed, the top center one is not.

 

bwhite pom tutorial

 

These are so addicting to make, I couldn’t stop myself! And what a great way to use up odds and ends of yarn. How do you make pompoms? Got any tricks?