The Many Wonders of Pom Poms

I’m truly smitten with pom poms. At one time, I thought of them only as hat toppers, like the one I made for the hand-knit hat then four-year-old Ana is wearing above. I’ve since become aware of the amazing versatility of pom poms – necklaces, garlands, bows, even yarn flower bouquets. Let’s talk about the many wonders of pom poms.

Different Methods for Making a Pom Pom

I first learned how to make pom poms by using a cardboard template like this one.

It’s easy as can be to cut out a cardboard template, wind the yard around it, tie a loop through the center, and then cut the pom pom free. I describe the steps in this post that shows my daughter and her friend making pom poms over the holiday break.

I’ve since learned that you can use a fork as a template to make a mini pom pom, and even just your fingers.

But to make a whole slew of pom poms, and if you’re in love with them like I am, you’ll want to make a bunch to use in many ways, you will soon grow weary of the cardboard method. Why am I not surprised that an actual pom pom maker exists in the world? Lucky for me, and lucky too that the Clover pom pom maker is not very expensive. I bought small, medium, and large sizes.

You use it the same way as with a cardboard template, only it’s sturdier so it will hold up to many uses. Because you can fold open the hinged sides of the circle, it’s easier to wind the yarn around one side then the other.

Making Small, Medium, and Large Pom Poms

Ana and I made some pom poms at the same time using different sizes.

She gave her little sister a mini pom pom to use for her baby doll as a necklace…

and made a couple of larger ones to use as a necklace for herself.

I used few as a bow on a gift.

Making a Flower Bouquet with a Bunch of Pom Poms

My main goal, though, for making many pom poms in one go was to make a flower bouquet to take to my neighbor’s baby shower at the Del Ray Cafe.

One after another, I wound yarn onto either the medium or large-sized pom pom maker while watching a movie. By the end,  I had made an impressive collection of untrimmed pom poms.

Ana helped me trim each one with tiny scissors.

She gathered some sticks for me from the yard and I found the perfect sized vase for the larger bouquet, plus another small vase to use for the tiniest pom pom flowers.

My glue gun gave out, so I used craft glue and attached the pom poms one by one to each stick.

And there before our very eyes, our pom poms turned into two colorful and cheerful bouquets of flowers.

I have my sights on making a spring wreath or garland next. Some of my extras will always go to the neighbors’ cats. Seriously, to me pom poms rank up there as one of the best crafts. At their most basic, they require very few supplies. Plus, anyone can make a perfect pom pom on the first try, and they’re just so darling, who can resist.