Love Is All You Knit

Oh the pom pom.  I’m seeing them everywhere these days.  They are such a fun way to embellish knits, crafts and even use in home decor. Here’s a simple way to make your own pom poms.

Materials:

Yarn: I find it best to use yarns with plies that don’t unravel- that way your pom won’t have frayed edges.  Wool is my favorite go-to yarn for making poms.  The yarn pictured is Cascade 220.

Cardboard: for making a reusable pom pom template.

Scissors: a sturdy pair that will cut easily though cardboard.

Glass, or a circular object for tracing circles onto cardboard.  Your circle diameter will be the approximate size of your finished pom.  The finished pom shown is around 3 inches in diameter.

Quarter, or other small circular object for tracing smaller circles onto cardboard.

Pen: for tracing

Step One:

Gather all materials listed above.

Step Two:

Trace two large circles onto cardboard using the glass as a guide.

Step Three:

Trace a smaller circle in the center of each larger circle using the quarter as a guide.

Step Four:

Cut out the cardboard circles, cutting a 1/2 inch wide wedge opening on one side of each circle.

Step Five:

Holding both cardboard circles together, start wrapping the yarn around the circles.  Make sure to cover all of the cardboard and wrap many layers of yarn; the more yarn you use, the fluffier your pom poms will be.

Step Six:

Once finished wrapping, cut the yarn end.  Cut a length of yarn about 10 inches long and set aside for later.

Step Seven:

Place your thumb in the center of the circle to secure yarn and start cutting the edges of the yarn by guiding the scissors between the two pieces of cardboard.

Step Eight:

After cutting about half of the yarn, slide the length of yarn you set aside between the two pieces of cardboard to start securing the cut pieces of yarn.  Make sure not to let any cut pieces get loose.  Continue cutting all of the yarn that is wrapped, and tighten the length of yarn around the center, gathering all cut ends tightly.  Tie in a few knots to secure.

Step Nine:

Remove the cardboard circles and fluff your pom pom into a circular shape.  Trim any long ends.

Step Ten:

POM IT UP!

What will you pom?