How to make a Perfect Pom Pom with a Clover Pom-Pom Maker

Learn how to make pom poms quickly and easily with Clover Pom-pom Makers. These makers make a perfect pom pom that holds together and requires less trimming!

What can be made with pom poms?  Pom poms are everywhere!  Look at the top of a hat, scarves, rugs, ornaments, wreaths, signs, and other decor!

I’ve been making pom poms from my yarn stash while I watch TV at night. Pom poms are a great stash buster because they use a lot of yarn, especially when you make large ones! I have pom poms in six sizes, from tiny ¾” ones to large 3 3/8” ones. Clover even makes a jumbo 4 1/2" pom pom maker.

To make your own pom pom maker out of a cardboard template, visit Annette's previous Yarn Pom Pom tutorial. 

I find that this is the easiest way to make pom poms because the makers come in seven different sizes: ¾”, 1”, 1 3/8”, 1 5/8”, 2-1/2”, 3-3/8”, and 4-1/2". The sizes of the makers are the approximate sizes of the finished pom poms, which will depend on the amount of trimming you do.  No guessing is required to make each size!

For visual learners, click the link below to watch our YouTube video on using the Clover Pom-pom Makers. 

What Yarn is Best for Making Pom Poms?

I tried out the makers with different types of yarn, from fingering weight to bulky or thick yarns. Each yarn gives the poms a different appearance and texture.

So, depending on your project, you may want full ones or more fluffy pom poms. Trimming the pom pom will also make them more full.

I believe the best and most economical type of yarn for pom poms is worsted weight yarn, which comes in many different colors and large skeins. Finding leftover yarn at a thrift store can also save you money, and you may find some exciting yarns.

For a patchwork look, try wrapping sections of the maker's arms with different-colored yarns. 

For a fun look, use variegated yarn to make a multi-color pom pom.

Try using other media, like tulle cut into strips. Wrap the tulle and use the same method described below to make pom poms. 

Another idea is to make pom poms from recycled T-shirts and T-shirt yarn. We have a tutorial on making T-shirt yarn.

WHAT YOU NEED to make pom poms:

• Clover Pom-Pom Maker (Purchase from Amazon or Joann)
• Yarn 
• Sharp Scissors

About the Clover Pom Pom Makers

Clover Pom-pom Makers are available in seven sizes: ¾”, 1”, 1-3/8”, 1-5/8”, 2-1/2”, 3-3/8”, and 4-1/2".  The many size options make it easy to make small pom poms through the giant pom poms. The maker's size is the approximate finished size of the pom pom.  The size will vary depending on the amount of trimming.

The pom pom maker has two sets of arms that swing out.

The maker comes apart at the center so you can remove the finished pom pom.

The tiny makers work the same way as the larger makers, except there is much less yarn wrapping.

Below is a photo of a tiny 3/4" pom pom.

What I like about these pom pom makers

I prefer these pom pom makers over cardboard because they make consistently sized pom poms.

Since the yarn is spread evenly over the arms, they need less trimming.

The larger makers have divots, making it easy to hold the maker while wrapping and cutting.

The slot makes cutting the pom pom and tying it with yarn easy. The maker holds the yarn securely while tying the pom pom.

Step by Step INSTRUCTIONS to make pom poms with the clover pom pom makers

Step 1: Open the First Arms and Wrap Yarn

This tutorial will demonstrate making a pom pom with a large pom pom maker and worsted-weight yarn.  The process for wrapping and making a pom pom is the same for every size pom pom maker.

Begin by opening two arms on one side of the maker.  Keep the arms together and hold the maker with the curve of the arm facing up.

Hold the end of the yarn with one finger on the back of the maker.

Start wrapping around the arm from front to back. 

Continue wrapping with each yarn wrap next to the previous wrap.  It can overlap, so don't worry if it does.

Wrap evenly across the arms.  Then, continue wrapping back and forth across the arm.

Continue wrapping until the arm is very full to get a nice full pom pom.

To make a fuller pom pom, wrap until the arm is full, but ensure the yarn stays within the curve, or the maker will not close properly. For a less dense pom pom, wrap less yarn.

Once it's full, close this first arm.  In the photo above, I continued wrapping until the yarn filled almost the whole curved area.

Cut the yarn.

Step 2: Open the second set of Arms and Wrap

Turn the maker around.  Open the opposite side and wrap the yarn in the same way.

Notice how full the arm is in the photo below. Once the second arm is wrapped, close the arm and cut off the yarn.

Clover maker wrapped with variegated yarn.

Step 3: Cut the yarn

The next step is to use a very sharp pair of scissors to cut the yarn loops between the gaps in the arms.  Don't worry. The maker will hold the yarn in place until you tie it off.

Quick Tip: Start cutting on the side with the hinge.  

If you start on the side that opens, the arms are more likely to move and open while cutting, causing the yarn to fall out!

Place the scissors between the two arms on the hinge side and cut. Don't try to cut too many at once, as it will make it difficult to cut.   

Continue cutting in smaller sections until the yarn is cut on one side.

Then, turn the maker around and cut the yarn loops on the other side.

The pom pom will look like the photo below.  The maker is holding the yarn, and the yarn loops have been cut.

Step 4: Tie Pom pom

Next, cut an approximately 12" length of yarn. Leaving long yarn tails will allow you to tie your pom pom onto your project if needed.

Slide the piece of yarn between the two halves of the maker and wrap it around.

Take the yarn ends and wrap one end around the other yarn twice to make a knot, then pull tight. 

Wrapping twice helps to hold the knot while you make the second knot.

Pull firmly, but don’t pull so much that the yarn breaks. Make a second tight knot by wrapping the yarn end around the other yarn again twice but in the opposite direction.  Pull tight to secure.

Step 5: Remove the Pom pom from the maker

The pom pom is ready to be removed. 

Gently open the arms on both sides and then separate the two sides of the maker.

Step 6: Fluff and Shape the Pom Pom

Fluff the pom pom by shaking it. Trim any loose ends with your scissors. If needed, shape it into a round pom pom by trimming it.

The pom pom is complete!

We hope you enjoyed learning how to make the perfect DIY pom poms quickly and easily. Gather up some leftover or scrap yarn and make some pom poms! Scroll down to find craft stores where you can purchase a set of pom pom makers.

Pom Pom Crafts:

• Pom Pom Rug for a Fashion Doll
• Fun Kids Crafts with Pom Poms