How to Knit a Pom Pom for a Hat

You just finished knitting a hat. Don't stop there. It can be embellished with little pom poms made from matching-or coordinating-knitting yarn. While they made from yarn, pom poms are not really knitted. There are many different pom pom makers on the market, but you don't have to buy one in order to make pom poms. They can be made simply with cardboard squares and yarn.

Things You'll Need

• Sturdy cardboard
• Knitting yarn

Instructions

1. Draw a rectangle on the cardboard, approximately 6 inches wide and 4 inches tall. Draw a smaller rectangle in the middle, about 2 inches by 2 inches. Cut out both of the rectangles. Prepare one cardboard for each pom pom to be made.

2. Hold the rectangle so that the wider length is side to side and the shorter length is top to bottom. Hold the end of the yarn at the top of the rectangle and begin wrapping the yarn around the cardboard, laying each succeeding round next to the previous one. Continue wrapping the yarn neatly about 50 times. Cut the yarn.

3. Grasp the loops of yarn from both sides in the middle cut-out rectangle. Cut a length of yarn-about 6 to 8 inches long-around the center of the yarn loops two times. Tie the yarn securely. Slip the yarn off the cardboard, it might be necessary to bend the cardboard slightly if the yarn is difficult to remove.

4. Slip the scissors into the loops on one side and cut them at the end. Cut the loops on the other end. Be sure to hold the loops carefully so they do not slip out of the center tie.

5. Hold the yarn that secured the cut yarn loops and shake the pom pom, fluffling the yarn into a ball. Trim the uneven lengths of yarn, fluffing periodically, until the pom pom is a neat circle.