6 Best Pom Pom Trim Makers For Decorative Edges
Elevate your sewing projects with these 6 top-rated pom pom trim makers. Discover durable, easy-to-use tools that add professional, decorative flair to edges.
Adding a row of pom poms to the edge of a hand-knit blanket or a festive winter hat transforms a simple project into a professional-looking heirloom. While you can certainly make them using cardboard circles or your own fingers, dedicated pom pom makers offer a level of consistency that is hard to replicate by hand. Choosing the right tool depends on your desired density, the weight of your yarn, and how many pom poms you plan to produce. Here is a breakdown of the best tools on the market to help you achieve that perfect, uniform finish.
Clover Pom Pom Maker: The Gold Standard Choice
Clover is widely considered the industry benchmark for a reason. Their hinged, arch-style design allows you to wind yarn evenly and consistently without the tool slipping or shifting in your hands.
The locking mechanism is exceptionally secure, which is a massive relief when you are working with slippery fibers like silk blends or high-twist superwash wool. Because the arms open wide, it is incredibly easy to trim your yarn tails once the pom pom is tied off.
If you are planning to make dozens of pom poms for a large-scale project, the ergonomic design of the Clover tool will save your hands from fatigue. It is the most reliable investment for a knitter who values precision and speed.
Susan Bates E-Z Pom Pom Maker: Best for Value
The Susan Bates tool utilizes a more traditional, classic design that feels familiar to those who grew up crafting with simple plastic templates. It is lightweight, straightforward, and gets the job done without any unnecessary bells and whistles.
While it lacks the sophisticated hinge system of more expensive models, it is an excellent choice for beginners who aren’t ready to invest heavily in specialized tools. It is particularly effective for thinner, sport-weight yarns where you need to build up a lot of wraps to get a full sphere.
The trade-off here is that it requires a bit more manual dexterity to keep the yarn from sliding off while you wrap. If you have limited hand mobility, you might find the fiddly nature of this tool slightly frustrating compared to the Clover.
Boye Large Pom Pom Maker: Simple Sturdy Design
Boye provides a robust, no-nonsense tool that feels solid in the palm. Its design is intuitive, making it a great option for teaching children or beginners how to make their first decorative edges.
The sturdiness of the plastic means it can handle thick, chunky-weight yarns without bending or warping under the tension of the wraps. This is a critical factor; if your tool flexes while you are winding, your pom pom will end up lopsided.
Because it is a larger tool, it is best suited for big, statement-making pom poms rather than delicate, tiny accents. It is a workhorse tool that will likely last you a lifetime if you keep it in your knitting bag.
Prym Pom Pom Maker Set: Versatile Size Options
Prym offers a fantastic set that includes multiple sizes, which is ideal if you are working on a project that requires a gradient of pom pom sizes. Having a consistent tool system across different sizes ensures that your technique—and your results—remain uniform.
The plastic used in these makers is smooth, which allows the yarn to glide easily as you wind. This is a subtle but important detail, as it prevents the yarn from snagging or creating unwanted tension loops that can ruin the shape of the finished pom.
If you are a knitter who likes to experiment with different yarn weights, this set provides the flexibility you need. It is a comprehensive solution that eliminates the need to buy individual makers for different projects.
Lacis Pom Pom Tool: Best for Precision Projects
The Lacis tool is favored by those who need a high degree of control over their pom pom’s shape. It is particularly useful for makers who want to trim their pom poms into specific, dense shapes, such as small animals or geometric spheres.
This tool excels when you are using high-end, luxury fibers like alpaca or mohair. These fibers can be difficult to manage, but the Lacis design helps maintain the necessary structure to keep the fibers from matting or tangling during the wrapping process.
It is a more technical tool, so it might have a slight learning curve for someone used to basic templates. However, for the advanced knitter, the level of sculptural precision it offers is unmatched.
ArtBin Pom Pom Maker: Durable Plastic Tooling
ArtBin is known for creating organizational solutions for crafters, and their pom pom maker reflects that focus on longevity. The plastic is thick and high-quality, resisting the wear and tear that comes with frequent use.
This tool is a great choice if you are someone who keeps their tools for decades. It doesn’t have a lot of moving parts that can break or snap, which makes it a very reliable addition to your notions collection.
While it is a bit bulkier than other options, it is incredibly stable. If you find that your pom poms are often "wobbly" or uneven, the stability of the ArtBin maker will help you correct that issue immediately.
How to Choose the Right Pom Pom Maker for Yarn
When selecting a tool, consider the weight of the yarn you use most often. For bulky or super-bulky yarns, you need a maker with wide channels to accommodate the volume of the fiber.
If you are working with lace or fingering weight yarn, look for a tool that holds the yarn tightly to prevent it from slipping during the cutting phase. Using a tool that is too large for your yarn weight often results in a "sparse" pom pom that looks like a sad, shaggy ball.
- For chunky yarn: Use a larger maker with wide slots.
- For fingering yarn: Use a smaller maker to maintain density.
- For mohair/fuzzy yarn: Choose a tool with smooth edges to prevent snagging.
Essential Tips for Achieving Dense Pom Poms
The secret to a professional-looking pom pom is not the tool, but the amount of yarn you pack onto it. Most beginners stop wrapping too early; you want to fill the channels until they are nearly bulging.
Use a sharp pair of embroidery scissors to trim your pom poms. Dull blades will chew the yarn, leading to a fuzzy, uneven edge rather than a clean, crisp sphere.
Don’t be afraid to give your pom pom a "haircut" after it is removed from the maker. Trimming the excess fibers is the final step in achieving that perfect, dense, ball-like shape.
Securely Attaching Pom Poms to Knitted Edges
Never rely on the short tails of the pom pom alone to secure it to your garment. Instead, thread those tails onto a tapestry needle and weave them deeply into the fabric of your project.
If you are attaching pom poms to a hat, consider sewing them to a small, hidden button on the inside of the crown. This makes them removable for washing, which is vital if you are using delicate fibers that shouldn’t be machine-tossed.
For heavy pom poms, use a bit of matching thread to "anchor" the base of the pom to the fabric. This prevents the pom pom from flopping around or pulling on the stitches of your knitting.
Troubleshooting Common Pom Pom Maker Issues
If your pom pom falls apart when you take it off the tool, your center tie is likely too loose. Always use a strong, non-stretchy yarn (like cotton or linen) for the binding tie, and pull it as tight as you possibly can.
If your pom pom looks lopsided, you likely wound more yarn on one side of the tool than the other. Aim for an equal number of wraps on every section of the maker to ensure a balanced, symmetrical result.
Finally, if the yarn keeps slipping off the arms, try wrapping the first few layers slightly slower to create a "base" for the subsequent layers. Practice is the only way to master the tension required for a perfectly uniform pom pom.
Mastering the art of the pom pom is a small but impactful way to elevate your knitting projects. By selecting the right tool for your specific yarn weight and practicing consistent wrapping techniques, you can ensure your decorative edges look intentional and polished. Whether you choose the reliability of a Clover or the simplicity of a basic template, the joy of finishing a project with a perfectly crafted pom pom is well worth the effort. Happy knitting, and may your pom poms always be perfectly round.
