How to Make a Pompom Tail

Put the finishing touches on your stuffed animal creations with a handmade pompom tail. Pompoms are quick and simple to make and can be coordinated with your stuffed animal's fabric or yarn body. Make several pompoms to have on hand for ongoing projects, or make one as a last-minute addition. These instructions are for a two-inch yarn pompom that can be completed in minutes. The size of the pompom tail can be altered by simply changing the size of the circle pattern.

Things You'll Need

• Lightweight cardboard
• Compass
• Scissors
• Yarn
• Measuring tape
• Tapestry needle

Instructions

1. Trace two circles, two inches each, on lightweight cardboard, using a compass. Trace a one-inch circle, centered in each larger circle. Cut out the two-inch circles and remove the one-inch circles, leaving you with two doughnut-shaped patterns.

2. Cut a 36-inch length of yarn and thread it on a tapestry needle. Stack the two doughnut-shaped cardboard circles together. Place the end of the yarn on the outside edge of the circle and hold. Insert the needle through the center of the circle, and wrap around the ring. Continue to wrap around the ring until you have wrapped all of the yarn on the needle. Cut another 36-inch length of yarn and repeat. Continue until the entire ring has been wrapped several times, and you can no longer see through the center of the doughnut.

3. Cut the wrapped yarn around the outer edge of the circle. Cut through each layer of yarn, exposing the edges of the cardboard circles. When all of the yarn has been cut, you will have large tufts of yarn sticking out from the center on both sides of the cardboard ring.

4. Cut a 12-inch length of yarn. Slide the center of the 12-inch length between the two cardboard circles. Pull the ends of the yarn to the other side of the circle and tightly tie a knot around the center of the tufted yarn.

5. Pull the yarn out from the center of the cardboard and shake to fluff. Trim the ends of the pompom to give it a smooth, rounded appearance. Trim the tying yarn the same length as the pompom.