August 21, 2020
A brief history of the Pom Pom
Pom Poms are decorative puffs of colourful yarns or fibres, used for embellishments on anything from clothing, shoes, hats and socks; to cushions, blankets and even artworks. Nobody is entirely sure about when they were first invented but many believe they have Viking roots in Scandinavia in around 800-1066AD. A statuette of the Norse God Freyr is depicted wearing a pointed cap or helmet with a bobble on the top.
Throughout recent history, Pom Poms have been adopted into different National Dress, by Militaries and Clergymen. The most common placement of the Pom Poms being on hats with different colours often representing rank, regiment or order. The word Pom Pom is said to be derived from the french term “Pompon” which means “ornamental tuft” and in Scotland it is called a “Toorie”.
Pom Poms are an easy craft to make at home with endless possible variations for colours, sizes and materials. We have put together a simple Video tutorial and a Step by Step for you to try your hand at making one for yourself. A super satisfying activity, once you start, you’ll find it hard to stop!
You Will Need:
- Rico Pom Pom Maker
- RicoRumi in 2 colours of your choice – We chose Yellow & Neon Orange
- Sharp Scissors
How To Make:
1. Firstly, unlatch the Pom Pom maker so you have both separate components with the circles open. Hold the two halves together ready for winding.
2. Using your 2 yarns together, tie a knot around one arch of the Pom Pom maker and slide the knot to the edge.
3. Start wrapping the 2 yarns together around the Pom Pom maker. Wrap back and forth over the arch fairly tightly.
4. Continue wrapping until the centre of the semi-circle is full.
5. Cut the yarns and thread the ends underneath the last wrap of yarn to make a knot.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 on on the other half of the Pom Pom maker.
7. Close the Pom Pom maker, tucking any loose ends through the middle and lock the clasps.
8. Cut between the to halves of the Pom Pom maker, following the groove around the edge to guide your scissors.
9. Cut roughly 30cm of yarn and and loop it all the way round the groove where you just cut the yarn. Tie a secure knot through the two halves of the maker and make sure to pull tight.
10. Unclasp the Pom Pom maker and remove the two halves carefully.
11. Fluff up the Pom Pom and using a good pair of scissors trim the pom pom to achieve a nice even shape.
12. You can tie a knot at the end of the long ends so you can hang it, or you can use the long ends to tie your Pom Pom to something else, or your can chop the ends off for a neat sphere of Pom Pom magic.
13. You have completed your Pom Pom!
For variations try wrapping each half of the maker with different colours, or try using more than two colours of yarn together for the whole Pom Pom, or you could even try mixing different thicknesses of yarns! Even a classic single colour Pom-Pom always looks great too!
Once you’ve mastered this technique, why not create this autumnal pom pom wreath! Simply tie your pom poms to the wooden wreath base and pop on your front door.
