Snowball fights are a great way to get exercise and work off some pent up winter energy. We don’t get snow here very often, so I thought we could have pom pom fights instead. I have small inherited pom pom makers, but I wanted snow ball sized pom poms (and to make a good dent in my yarn stash). So I decided to try a couple different methods for using cardboard to make pom poms. (As a bonus, it is fun to say “pom pom”.)

The first method uses a rectangle of cardboard with a slit cut partially lengthwise.

It is easy to wind yarn onto this form (my youngest even had no problem wrapping), but the pom pom comes out more like a rugby ball.

The second method requires the use of a compass to make a “U” shape and cut four matching pieces.

Wrapping the yarn on these forms is a little trickier. The flaps help keep the yarn in the circle, but sometimes catches the yarn on the wrap.

Cutting the yarn on the “U” form was easier, and I could tie yarn around the center tighter. The resulting pom pom was also more round straight off the form.

I trimmed both pom poms, which I think is really the trick to get nice pom poms.

Conclusion: the simple rectangle cardboard form is the easiest to wrap but needs more trimming. The “U” shape form isn’t as easy to wrap, but needs less trimming. Both really needed some trimming. If I had a group of kids, or needed to make a large number of pom poms, I would use the rectangle forms. If I were making pom poms myself, and needed full round pom poms, I would use the “U” form.

Pom pom. Really, say it a few times. You’ll feel better.