How to Make Pom-Poms with the KiwiCo Pom-Pom Maker Set

Quick answer

To make a pom-pom with the KiwiCo Pom-Pom Maker Set, open the two arms of the size you want, wrap yarn around each arm until it looks full, close the maker, snip down the center groove, tie a tight knot around the bundle, then remove and fluff. The key is to wrap enough yarn and tie the center knot as tightly as you can. Most kids can do the winding and trimming with a little adult help on the knot.

What you need before you start

The Pom-Pom Maker Set includes five sizes of pom-pom makers, so you can choose how big your finished pom-pom will be. You will also need yarn and scissors. The set does not include yarn, so plan to use your own or add a yarn set like the Neutral Yarn Set. A small pair of sharp scissors works better than blunt kids' scissors for the final trim, so keep an adult pair nearby. If you want to add faces or details, have a glue dot or a needle and thread ready for attaching eyes or felt shapes.

How to wind the yarn evenly

Open the two arms of your chosen pom-pom maker until they lie flat. Hold the yarn end against one arm with your thumb and begin wrapping around that arm. Wrap over the arm, not around the whole maker. Keep the wraps side by side and avoid crossing them too much. When one arm is full, cut the yarn and repeat on the other arm. The maker is full when the yarn looks plump and you can barely see the plastic gap in the middle. If you can still see a lot of plastic, add more wraps. For a denser pom-pom, wrap until the arms feel slightly crowded.

How to cut and tie the pom-pom

Close the two arms together so the maker forms a circle. You will see a groove running down the center. Use sharp scissors to cut along that groove, snipping all the yarn wraps. Cut all the way around until the two halves separate. Then cut a separate piece of yarn about 12 inches long. Wrap it around the center of the bundle, inside the groove, and tie a tight double knot. Pull hard. This knot holds the whole pom-pom together. If the knot is loose, the pom-pom will fall apart when you trim it. Tie a second knot for security, then open the maker and gently pull the pom-pom out.

How to trim and fluff for a round shape

Your pom-pom will look shaggy and uneven at first. Hold it by the long tie tails and use sharp scissors to trim the surface. Cut small amounts at a time, rotating the pom-pom as you go. Work around the whole sphere until it looks round. Do not cut the tie tails yet; they are useful for attaching the pom-pom to a project. If you want a very dense pom-pom, roll it between your palms to fluff the yarn, then trim any stray long pieces. A common mistake is trimming too much from one spot, which creates a flat side. Trim gradually and check the shape often.

Troubleshooting common pom-pom problems

If your pom-pom falls apart, the center knot was too loose. Next time, tie the knot as tightly as possible and add a second knot. If your pom-pom looks bald or has gaps, you did not wrap enough yarn. Wrap more layers on each arm. If the pom-pom is lopsided, trim the longer side a little at a time until it evens out. If the yarn keeps slipping off the maker, wrap more slowly and keep the strands close together. For kids, a good checkpoint is to have an adult tie the center knot while the child does the winding and trimming.

Project ideas to use your pom-poms

Once you have a few pom-poms, turn them into simple crafts. Glue them onto a winter hat as decorations, string them into a garland, or attach them to a backpack zipper. The Pom-Pom Monsters Set (3-Pack) includes supplies to make fuzzy creatures with wiggle eyes and felt teeth, so you can use your pom-poms as the body. You can also combine pom-poms with the Neutral Yarn Set for a calm color palette in your projects. For more structured ideas, the Pom-Pom Monsters instructions show how to wind, trim, and fluff before attaching details.

Pom-pom maker step-by-step

1. Open the maker and wrap one arm: Open the two arms of your chosen size. Hold the yarn end against one arm and wrap side by side until the arm looks full. Cut the yarn. Checkpoint: you should barely see the plastic gap in the middle.
2. Wrap the second arm the same way: Wrap the other arm with the same number of layers. Keep the tension even and avoid crossing strands too much. Checkpoint: both arms should look equally plump.
3. Close the maker and cut the center groove: Close the arms together. Use sharp scissors to cut along the groove all the way around until the halves separate. Common mistake: dull scissors crush the yarn instead of cutting cleanly.
4. Tie a tight center knot: Cut a 12-inch piece of yarn. Wrap it around the center of the bundle and tie a tight double knot. Pull hard. Checkpoint: the knot should not slide. If it does, tie again.
5. Remove and trim the pom-pom: Open the maker and pull the pom-pom out. Hold the tie tails and trim the surface with small cuts, rotating as you go. Common mistake: trimming too much from one spot. Trim gradually.
6. Fluff and shape: Roll the pom-pom between your palms to fluff it. Trim any stray long pieces until it looks round. Checkpoint: a dense, even pom-pom holds its shape when squeezed.

Products that work with this tutorial

• Pom-Pom Maker Set: Make perfect puffy pom-poms in five different sizes with this craft kit. Five sizes let you choose small pom-poms for details or large ones for statement crafts, so one set covers many projects.
• Pom-Pom Monsters Set (3-Pack): Make your own fuzzy creatures with this bundle of supplies. Learn how to wind, trim, and fluff perfect pom-poms in brilliant jewel tones before attaching wiggle eyes and felt teeth to create monsters. This set adds monster-making supplies and jewel-tone yarn, so kids can turn basic pom-poms into characters with faces.
• Neutral Yarn Set: This Neutral Yarn Set brings a calming palette of soft, earthy tones to your next crafting project. Includes a curated selection of yarn in neutral shades, perfect for a variety of projects. Neutral yarn gives you a coordinated color range for pom-poms that match home decor or gifts, and works for weaving and knitting too.