# How to Make a Pom Pom for a Hat (Plus Tassels)

You've knit the last round, woven in your ends, and blocked your hat to perfection — but something is missing from the top. A bouncy pom pom or a swingy tassel is often the finishing touch that turns a handmade hat into something that looks (and feels) intentional. The good news is that neither one requires special skills. You just need some yarn, scissors, a few minutes, and a little patience for the trimming step.

This guide walks you through both techniques from start to finish, including how to get a full, round pom pom instead of a flat, sad puff, and how to attach either embellishment so it survives years of wear.

What You'll Need

  • Yarn — leftover yarn from your hat works well, or contrasting yarn for a pop of color
  • A pom pom maker (two sizes are handy) *or* a piece of sturdy cardboard
  • Sharp scissors
  • A ruler or compass (if cutting cardboard rings)
  • A yarn needle for attaching the finished pom pom or tassel

Method 1: Pom Pom Maker

A plastic pom pom maker is the easiest route if you plan to make pom poms often, since the arms hold the yarn in place while you wrap and the built-in channel guides your scissors for a clean, even cut.

Step-by-Step

  1. Open both arms of the pom pom maker so the two halves fold outward, and choose the size that matches how big you want the finished pom pom (finished pom poms shrink somewhat once trimmed, so it's fine to size up).
  2. Wrap yarn around one arm, working back and forth until the arm is thickly and evenly covered. The more you wrap, the denser and rounder your pom pom will be — for a hat-sized pom pom, plan on wrapping a full arm dozens of times rather than just a handful of passes.
  3. Repeat on the second arm, then fold both arms closed so they form a full circle.
  4. Cut around the outer edge, sliding your scissors into the groove on each side and cutting through all the wrapped strands of yarn. Keep the two halves closed while you do this so the yarn doesn't shift.
  5. Tie the center tightly. Cut a separate 12-18 inch length of yarn, slide it between the two plastic arms and around the middle of the bundle, and pull it as tight as you possibly can before double-knotting it. This step determines whether your pom pom holds together, so don't be shy about pulling hard.
  6. Open the arms and remove the pom pom. Fluff it out, then trim it into a sphere, rounding off any long or uneven strands. Leave the two tails from your tie long — you'll use them to attach the pom pom to your hat.

Method 2: Cardboard Rings

No pom pom maker on hand? Cardboard works just as well and lets you make a pom pom in any size or shape your hat calls for.

Step-by-Step

  1. Cut two matching circles from cardboard (a cereal box or shipping box both work fine), then cut a smaller circle out of the center of each so you have two identical rings, like flat doughnuts. The outer circle sets the pom pom's diameter; the inner hole should be roughly a third to half that size.
  2. Stack the two rings together and start wrapping your yarn around them, feeding it through the center hole and around the outer edge over and over. A sharp needle threaded with yarn makes it easier to pass through a shrinking center hole as you go.
  3. Keep wrapping until the center hole is nearly full and the rings feel firm and dense all the way around — this is what gives you a lush, full pom pom rather than a thin, patchy one.
  4. Cut between the two rings. Slide the tip of your scissors between the cardboard layers, right at the outer edge, and cut through all the wrapped yarn around the entire circle. Keep the rings pressed together as you cut so the strands stay in place.
  5. Tie tightly around the middle. Slip a separate strand of yarn between the two cardboard rings, wrap it around the bundled center, and pull it as tight as you can before knotting it securely — twice, if you can manage it.
  6. Slide the cardboard rings off (you can cut them away if they resist) and fluff the pom pom out. Trim it all over with sharp scissors, rotating it as you go, until it forms an even sphere.

Tips for a Fuller, Rounder Pom Pom

  • Wrap more than feels necessary. A thin pom pom almost always comes from under-wrapping — when in doubt, add another layer.
  • Tie the center as tight as you physically can. A loose center tie is the number one reason pom poms fall apart or go lopsided.
  • Trim in small snips, turning the pom pom in your hand as you cut, rather than trying to shape it with a few big cuts. It's much easier to trim more later than to fix an over-cut section.
  • Give it a final fluff and shake after trimming to loosen any short clipped bits before attaching it to your hat.

How to Make a Tassel

Tassels give a hat a different look than a pom pom — sleeker, with movement instead of volume — and they come together even faster.

  1. Cut a piece of sturdy cardboard slightly longer than you want your finished tassel to be (remember the fold will roughly halve the length of your wraps).
  2. Wrap yarn lengthwise around the cardboard, going around as many times as needed for the fullness you want. More wraps make a thicker tassel.
  3. Slide a length of yarn under the wraps at the top edge of the cardboard and tie it tightly, leaving long tails for attaching the tassel later.
  4. Cut the loops at the opposite end, sliding your scissors along the bottom edge of the cardboard to free the strands.
  5. Wrap a separate strand of yarn around the bundle a couple of inches below the top tie to form the "neck" of the tassel, wrapping several times and tying it off snugly, then tucking the ends inside the tassel with a yarn needle.
  6. Trim the bottom ends evenly with sharp scissors so the tassel hangs straight.

Attaching Pom Poms and Tassels to a Hat

Whichever embellishment you've made, attach it the same basic way:

  1. Thread the long tail(s) left from tying the center onto a yarn needle.
  2. Pass the needle through the very top of the hat, from the inside out and back in a couple of times, catching several stitches so the weight is well distributed rather than pulling on a single loop.
  3. Pull the yarn snug so the pom pom or tassel sits flush against the crown, then knot the tails together tightly on the inside of the hat.
  4. Weave the ends in through several stitches on the wrong side before trimming, just as you would with any other yarn end, so the knot can't work its way loose over time.

If you'd rather not commit permanently, you can also stitch a small button or a scrap of felt to the hat first and attach the pom pom to that with a few secure stitches, making it easy to swap colors or replace a worn pom pom later.

Final Thoughts

Pom poms and tassels are a low-risk way to make a finished hat feel special, and both come together with materials you likely already have in your stash. Wrap generously, tie the center as tight as you can manage, trim patiently, and anchor your finished topper through several stitches at the crown — and it'll stay put through every wear of the season.

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