7 Best Pom Pom Makers For Winter Hats Worth Using
Elevate your winter hats with these 7 top-rated pom pom makers. Discover durable, easy-to-use tools that ensure perfectly fluffy, uniform results every time.
Nothing elevates a handmade winter hat quite like a perfectly dense, spherical pom pom perched on top. While DIY cardboard templates were the standard for decades, modern tools have turned this fiddly task into a precise and satisfying craft. Choosing the right maker depends on how much volume you want and how often you plan to batch-produce these fluffy toppers. Here are the best tools to ensure your winter accessories look professionally finished every time.
Clover Pom Pom Maker Set: Best Overall Choice
If you walk into any dedicated fiber artist’s studio, you will almost certainly find a set of Clover makers tucked into their notions bag. These plastic hinged arches are the industry standard for a reason: they are incredibly intuitive and produce a consistently uniform shape.
The design allows you to wrap yarn around two separate semi-circles, which snap together to create a perfect sphere. Because the hinges are sturdy, you can really pack the yarn in without the tool flexing or popping open mid-wrap.
The primary advantage here is the density you can achieve. If you are using a lofty wool blend, these makers allow for a tight, professional finish that won’t flop over after a week of wear.
Loome Tool: Best for Multi-Craft Fiber Artists
The Loome is much more than a pom pom maker; it is a multi-functional tool designed for the modern maker who enjoys experimenting with tassels, weaving, and friendship bracelets. It is essentially a small wooden frame that provides a flat surface for wrapping.
Because it lacks the enclosed arches of a standard plastic maker, it requires a bit more finesse to get a perfectly spherical shape. You have to be mindful of your wrapping tension to ensure the pom pom doesn’t end up lopsided.
This is the best choice if you are a minimalist who hates clutter in your notions kit. It’s a beautiful, tactile tool that feels better in the hand than mass-produced plastic, though it does have a steeper learning curve for beginners.
Boye Pom Pom Maker: Best Budget-Friendly Option
Sometimes you just need a simple tool that gets the job done without a high price tag. The Boye maker is a classic, no-frills option that relies on the traditional two-ring plastic design.
It is lightweight and portable, making it an excellent choice for throwing into a knitting bag when you’re heading to a craft retreat. While the plastic is thinner than some high-end alternatives, it is perfectly capable of handling standard worsted weight yarns.
Be aware that because the plastic is thinner, you shouldn’t force an excessive amount of yarn into the rings, or they may warp. It is a fantastic entry-level tool for someone who only makes a few hats a year.
Susan Bates Easy-Wrap: Best for Quick Results
The Susan Bates Easy-Wrap is designed for those who find the constant wrapping process tedious. Its unique construction allows for a faster accumulation of yarn, which is a major benefit if you are making pom poms for a craft fair or a large family project.
The mechanism is straightforward, though it can feel a bit bulky compared to the streamlined Clover makers. It excels at creating large, oversized poms that are currently very popular for slouchy beanies.
If your goal is speed over extreme precision, this is your best bet. Just ensure you trim your finished pom pom thoroughly, as the speed-wrap method can sometimes lead to uneven yarn distribution.
Dritz Round Pom Pom Maker: Best for Beginners
If you’ve never made a pom pom before, the Dritz round maker provides a very clear, visual guide to the process. It uses a simple two-piece design that is nearly impossible to assemble incorrectly.
The rings are smooth and rounded, which helps prevent your yarn from snagging while you wrap. This is a common frustration with cheaper, rougher plastic tools that can catch on delicate fibers like mohair or silk blends.
It is a reliable, "set it and forget it" tool that works exactly as you expect it to. For a beginner, this lack of complexity is a huge confidence booster.
Lacis Pom Pom Maker: Best for Durable Plastic
Lacis has a reputation for creating high-quality, long-lasting tools, and their pom pom makers are no exception. The plastic used here is significantly more rigid and durable than what you find in generic craft store brands.
This durability matters when you are working with thick, bulky weight yarns that require significant tension to wrap tightly. A flimsy tool will bend under the pressure of thick wool, but the Lacis maker holds its shape firmly.
If you are a heavy user—perhaps someone who sells finished hats—this is the tool that will survive years of constant use. It is an investment in your notions kit that pays for itself through longevity.
Prym Pom Pom Maker: Best for Precise Styling
Prym is known for European precision, and their pom pom makers reflect that engineering focus. They provide a very clean cut and a very tight core, which is essential for preventing the "hollow center" look that plagues poorly made poms.
The alignment of the two halves is exceptionally accurate, ensuring that when you snip the yarn, the pom pom is already perfectly centered. This reduces the amount of "haircut" time required to shape the finished product.
If you are a perfectionist who spends twenty minutes trimming your pom poms to look like a perfect sphere, you will appreciate the head start this tool gives you. It is all about minimizing the cleanup phase.
How to Choose the Best Size for Your Winter Hat
The size of your pom pom should be proportional to the style of the hat. For a classic beanie, a 2.5-inch to 3-inch pom pom is usually the sweet spot.
- Small (1.5-2 inches): Perfect for children’s hats or delicate, fine-gauge beanies.
- Medium (2.5-3 inches): The standard size for most adult winter hats.
- Large (3.5+ inches): Ideal for oversized, chunky-knit, or "slouchy" style hats.
Always consider the weight of your yarn when choosing a size. A massive pom pom made with heavy, bulky wool can actually pull the top of your hat backward, making it uncomfortable to wear.
Yarn Selection Tips for Full and Fluffy Poms
Not all yarns are created equal when it comes to pom poms. For the fluffiest results, look for yarns with high loft and a bit of crimp, such as non-superwash wools or wool-alpaca blends.
Avoid highly twisted, smooth cotton yarns, as they tend to look stringy and limp once cut. Superwash wool is convenient for hats, but it can be a bit slippery; if you use it, make sure your center tie is extremely secure.
Mixing textures can also yield beautiful results. Try holding a strand of mohair lace-weight yarn together with your main yarn to add a halo effect and extra volume to the finished pom.
Pro Techniques for Attaching Poms to Your Hats
The biggest mistake beginners make is using the yarn tails from the pom pom to tie it directly to the hat. Over time, the pom pom will wiggle and hang loosely off the top of your head.
Instead, use a sturdy piece of matching thread or a doubled-up strand of your hat yarn to sew the pom pom down securely. I highly recommend using a large button on the inside of the hat; feed your pom pom ties through the top of the hat and through the button holes before tying them off.
This creates an anchor that distributes the weight of the pom pom across the top of the crown. Bonus tip: if you use a snap-button attachment, you can remove the pom pom before washing your hat, which helps keep it looking fresh for years.
Mastering the pom pom is a rite of passage for every knitter looking to polish their winter projects. By choosing a tool that fits your specific workflow and paying attention to fiber choice, you can turn a simple scrap-yarn project into a high-end accessory. Remember that the secret to a great pom pom is density, so don’t be afraid to keep wrapping until the tool is full. Happy making, and may your hats always be perfectly topped.
