How To Make Pom Poms With Cardboard Cutouts

Learn how to make yarn pom-poms with cardboard cutouts…

In this post, I’ll show you how to make yarn pom-poms. We’ll be making the yarn poms using 2 letter “c” shaped cardboard cutouts.

Pom poms can be made from a number of popular methods. Namely five. Using cardboard to make DIY pom poms is a great method for a couple of reasons…

Before we jump into reasons this is a good method, here’s what you can expect to find in this post:

Back to using cardboard to make pom poms. Here’s why this is a good way to go about it!

Why using cardboard to make yarn pom poms is a good method

• You don’t need any special tools or equipment
• You can create DIY pom poms of virtually ANY size with this technique

We’ve already written several pom pom making tutorials, including:

• how to make pom poms with a fork
• how to make pom poms with 2 toilet paper rolls

Soon we will also share tutorials for how to create DIY pom poms using a pom pom maker as well as a fifth method…using your fingers.

Here’s what you’ll need to make yarn pom poms using cardboard cutouts…

This 3-minute video shows the entire process for how to make yarn pom poms using cardboard. But if you’d rather read the instructions with photos, simply scroll past the video.

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How to Make Yarn Pom Poms with Cardboard Cutouts

The video above will show you all you need to know, but if you’d rather read we’ve got you covered.

1. Create Your Cardboard Cutouts.

The first step in this process will be to determine the size of the yarn pom poms you want. That will determine how small or large to make your cardboard “c” cutouts.

The height of the “c” at the tallest point (or the diameter if you imagine the two c’s forming a full circle) will be equal to the radius of your finished pom pom.

In other words, the completed pom pom will be twice as big as the “c” on its longest edge.

Note: If you want really tiny pom poms, then you may consider using the fork method for creating pom poms rather than this one.

Otherwise, this cardboard method can be great for creating poms of almost any size from a couple inches to sky is the limit (if you have a REALLY large box to cut from and a TON of yarn).

Once you’ve determined the size of cutout you need, simply trace a bubble-letter “c” onto some cardboard, and cut it out. Then trace the first “c” onto more cardboard to create a second.

2. Lay several inches of yarn on top of one cardboard cutout.

*This little trick is not in ANY tutorial I saw for this pom pom making technique.

When I struggled to tie off the pom pom when I made a one like this the first time, I dreamed up this shortcut. It makes this process SO much easier at the knot tying step at the end!*

Cut a length of yarn that is several inches longer than the length of your cutouts on both ends. I’m using a contrasting color to the rest of my pom pom so that it stands out for you in the photos,

but you can use the same color as the rest of your pom pom will be.

Now sandwich that piece of yarn using the second cardboard “c”.

2. Wrap yarn around the cardboard.

Not much else to say about this step. Just start wrapping.

You’ll have to secure the end of the yarn initially with your hand, but eventually, it will be secured by the rest of the wrapped yarn around it.

You’ll want the yarn thickly layered on the cardboard cutouts if you want a full, fluffy pom pom. Wrap from one end to the other of your cardboard, then back again.

Over and over until there is a thick covering along the entire length of your cardboard templates.

I’d estimate on the order of 100 times in order to get a really puffy pom. You’ll likely have to experiment a bit in order to get the right amount of “wraps”.

Notice in the images above and below the orange yarn. That is the piece that is sandwiched between the two cardboard discs. We will be using that piece again shortly.

3. Snip yarn.

Once the yarn is thickly layered enough around the cardboard discs, it’s time to snip the yarn. You’ll want really sharp scissors for this step!

You will work your scissors BETWEEN the two cardboard discs at one end and begin to snip the yarn, moving in a straight line from one end of the cardboard to the other.

To better explain, in the image below, my scissors will be moving TOWARD my thumb. The bottom arm of the scissors is in between the two cardboard discs.

You’ll be holding the yarn and cardboard discs tightly in your palm so the yarn doesn’t start getting too unruly…so be careful not to snip yourself accidentally!

4. Tie a knot.

With the yarn all snipped from one end of the cardboard templates to the other, it’s time to secure the yarn pom pom with a knot.

To do this, flip the cut yarn/cardboard over into your opposite palm.

Grab the ends of the yarn sandwiched between the cardboard. Pull the ends upward, toward the UNSNIPPED side of the yarn. This will cinch the middle of the yarn mass and give you something that looks a bit like a bowtie pasta noodle.

Tighter knot = more secure yarn pom pom.

5. Remove cardboard discs.

With the yarn secured, you can now remove the cardboard discs. They should slip right out.

You’ll end up with a shaggy-looking pom pom at first.

6. Trim yarn pom pom.

All that’s left to do is shape up your pom pom by trimming it so that the yarn is roughly a uniform length all around.

And that wraps it up 😂.

You’ve now learned how to make yarn pom poms with cardboard cutouts!

Pin this post for later! And if you make one, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this project, too!

Pssst…before you go, I sure would love to hang out with you again really soon! Sign up now and get a no-cost copy of “Builder-Grade To Beautiful: 10 Totally Transformative Home Decorating Solutions, All Under $100!” Click here to enter your email or on the image below. Your copy will be emailed right away!