Pom Pom Paradise

Welcome to the creative world of wool, where we will be unleashing the possibilities of Pom Poms. We’ll be setting them free from cheerleaders’ chants and winter woolly hats and transforming these simple tufty balls into a whole host of summery delights.

The method of making Pom Poms is super therapeutic and needs very little in terms of equipment. With just a ball of wool and some scissors you could sit outside on a sunny day wrapping wool around your own hand whilst listening to the birds and feeling the warmth on your face; a perfect summer craft full of colour and joy. Thanks to the internet you can access a whole host of tutorials and instructions on different methods for making Pom Poms from using forks to toilet roll tubes. Why not try experimenting with different techniques, making different sizes, and deciding on your favourite style.

Once you’ve made a whole party of Pom Poms, you can use them to create something incredible, from garlands to gifts, fiddle toys to fuzzy friends — the only limit is your imagination.

You can buy Pom Pom-making kits, however, you can use common household items to produce just as good results. A fork will make a small cute Pom Pom, 2 x toilet roll tubes are ideal for a fuller, larger shape, and if using your own hand……well that depends on the size of your hand! If you have some cardboard lying around, you can create your own template by cutting 2 x C shapes as shown on the right.

Wool

Scissors

Fork/Toilet roll tubes/Pom Pom Maker (optional)

Other craft materials such as glue, card, sequins.

Find out more about Lauren’s illustration work at studiowren.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @studio_wren

The principles for making a Pom Pom are the same no matter what method you choose, and there are a few key steps for success.

Wind your wool tightly around your tool (hand/fork/toilet roll tubes). You will need quite a few layers so don’t rush this step.

Tie a length of wool around the centre of the loops, pull and secure this tightly to ensure your Pom Pom doesn’t fall apart.

Top: By combining and mixing different colours of wool when making the Pom Poms you can create these ice cream-inspired scoops, topped with sprinkles of sequins and gems and secured into cardboard cones all threaded together with wool.

Remove your wool carefully from your tool/hand and cut open both looped ends. You can then tidy up your Pom Pom shape by giving it a trim and fluffing it up.

Bottom Right: Grouping together lots of different-sized white Pom Poms creates a fabulous fluffy cloud raining down rainbow coloured threads. A length of wool secured to the back makes the perfect wall hanging.

Bottom Left: They say three is a crowd, but not when it comes to peas in a pod. These cute little green Pom Poms with googly eyes are snuggled into a hand-stitched felt pod, a wonderful gift for family or friends.