Make Your Own Scrap Yarn Pom Poms

This is the final Pom Pom tutorial I wanted to share (well for now). And I saved the best for last! Seriously, anytime I can use up my yarn scraps makes me super happy. If you remember I shared how to make a shag weave using your yarn scraps here, which is a really fun see what happens way to weave. Today I’m busting out my yarn scrap baggie to make some really fun Pom Poms. I decided to use whatever scraps I had, but first grouped some color families. Doing this allowed me to have a more cohesive color palette, but I think it’s also fun to just grab whatever and see what fun Pom Pom you come out with.

To get started we first need to make our tool. Just like last week, this tool will be made out of cardboard. Again, if you only have thin cardboard cut 2 or 3 of these tools and glue them together for added strength.

Making your Scrap Yarn Pom Pom Tool

step 1| trace a rectangle on your piece of cardboard, I made mine about 6 inches by 3 inches. The longer side of the rectangle will contribute to how full your pom pom will be, so if you want it very full add a few inches.

step 2| trace an arch in the middle of the top section of the rectangle (see picture). I used a measuring cup to get a good arch shape, but you can just free hand it, since having a less than perfect arch won’t effect your pom pom.

step 3| fold your rectangle in half the long way.

step 4| cut straight up from the fold to your arch, cut around your arch, and then cut straight down to your fold again. You’re basically cutting out the middle of the rectangle in a ‘U’ shape that creates a long oval when you open up the cardboard.

step 5| fold your tool in half again and tape each side so that the tool stands up on a table. Your tool is now ready.

Making your Scrap Yarn Pom Pom

step 1| decide on a scrap yarn length, for example I chose 3 inches long for my scrap yarns. Pile your scrap yarns onto the tool we just made, laying them perpendicularly across the center.

Yarns that are shorter then your scrap yarn size should not be used for this pom pom. Yarns that are longer can be cut down. I had a few that were 10 or 12 inches, too short to really weave with, so I cut them down to as many 3 inch pieces as possible. For the yarns that were slightly longer then 3 inches I just added them and trimmed later once I had my puff made.

step 2| as you pile the scrap yarns, make sure to pack the threads down every so often so you can fit more threads. Stop when you have reached the top of your tool, or when you have reached the fullness that you wanted.

step 3| take a piece of yarn to tie off the pom pom with. Place the yarn across the top of the pile of yarn scraps.

step 4| flip your tool over while holding the tie off thread, making sure to lose your pieces.

step 5| while holding the tie-off string tight, carefully pull your tool off the threads.

step 6| now tie a very tight double knot around your threads and you have your scrap pom pom! Trim the sides as necessary.

Missed my other two Pom Pom posts? You can see them here and here (this one even explains how to add the pom pom to your weaves)!

Ok, I can’t be the only one that doesn’t want to waste scraps, especially the super pretty ones. What do you do with your scraps?  I’m always open to new ideas.  And I really need to start working on making things from my sandwich bags full of scrap yarn.  I think I’m up to 6 bags, yikes!

Happy Weaving!

Kate

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