Pom-pom makers

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by P. Jeanne Haessler on December 8, 2010 at 4:25am

Sorry I can't comment on how effective the commercial pom makers are, there are several varieties out there, and I'm interested to hear if other people like them or not as they can cost a bit. I can only say I grew up doing it my mother's way-using thin cardboard, like shirt cardboard. I thought I'd include the directions here, just in case somebody has never tried it and wants to but can't access the commercial ones? Pardon the indulgence? :) You probably know how to do this Pam already.

Old fashioned Pom pom directions:

Decide the size of pom pom you want. Draw two circles on cardboard one inch in diameter larger than that. (or fold it double, draw once, cut once through both thicknesses of cardboard) I used to use a kid's compass from a school math set. You then draw a one inch circle in the center of the two circles and cut that out. You end up with two "donut" circles of cardboard (cardstock would work great, it didn't exist back in the day). You begin winding round and round and round around both circles held together until it's wound around to the thickness you wish (this takes abit of experimentation, my first poms came out abit skinny, now I wind til the center is pretty much full, hard to get through. Once you're at the thickness you want, cut the yarn. You now have a wrapped donut of yarn. With sharp pointy scissors edge between the two cardboard circles on one edge and under the yarn and snip it all the way around. If the yarn is wound thick enough you end up with it all bunched up inside the donut center, none falling out. You now slip a 6 inch tail of the same yarn down between the cardboard circles, all the way around, in other words cinching/surrounding that center core of yarn bits, like a belt. Now slide the cardboard circles, if you can, off both "ends" of the cut yarn-left and right. If you can't just cut them off, cardboard can be done again. Tighten the yarn, really tight and your pom should poof out nice and round on you.

A jumbo pompom might require a slightly larger center circle. :)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pam Johnson on December 8, 2010 at 9:26am

Thank you Jeanne for the super instructions - I am sure some of our KASers may never have made a "proper" pom pom - but it does take time which is why I am interested to know if any of the quick plastic winding jobs make it easier! Making a "real" pom pom with card is very satisfying

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by CHARIS GRIFFIN on October 7, 2011 at 4:55am

I know this is an old discussion but I have just found it! Having made pompoms with cardboard for years I invested in a set of Clover pompom makers and I LOVE them! They are not very expensive( mine cost £4.99 for a set of 2) and there are two sizes in most of the sets. They are extremely easy and quick to use-I have been making pompoms for tiny hats for the Innocent drinks bottles Help the Aged campaign and I can whizz them up in a few minutes. I even had all the girls I nurse with making them at 3am and none of them are crafters-they were fascinated and are all off to buy them as Christmas presents! I suspect I will eventually end up with all the sizes-there is even a heart shaped one which I would love! Pam, I hope this helps (and I don't have shares in Clover, I promise!)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pam Johnson on October 7, 2011 at 5:41am

Thanks Pam - I did invest in a set - not Clover ones - and they are a big help providing you tie them off really tightly which seems harder to do than with cardboard.  They do look great on a hat.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Harrison's mom on January 6, 2012 at 10:30am

I was taught the traditional way with the cereal box circles too and it was always very successful but I got a plastic pom maker with a kids craft set when I was really buying the set for the flower loom. Both work extreemly well considering they were pretty cheap and simple. As you said it does take a bit more effort to tie it off but I would recommend eith or both for anyone who wants a cheap, quick and easy way to jazz up a garment or blanket.

Jeni

• ▶ Reply