DIY Pom Pom + Tassel Garland

I’ve been a longtime fan of tie dye and dip dyed crafts, but when you’re working with acrylic yarn, they can be challenging and sometimes even impossible to dye. With the majority of yarns being acrylic or comprised of synthetic fiber, this technique is perfect for creating the look you’ve been after with the supplies you already have or can easily acquire. Not only will I be showing you how to use fabric paint as a dye, we will also go through the steps of creating an abstract pom pom and how to combine them all into a colorful garland to adorn your walls.  

Supplies:

• Handmade Modern Pom Pom + Tassel Kit include:
• Yarn in a variety of colors
• Pom Pom Template
• Tassel Template
• Scissors
• Twine 
• Sewing Needle
• White Fabric Paint
• Water
• Vessel to mix paint in 

Step 1: Start this craft by making all the pom poms. Using the circular C templates that come in three different sizes, select the size you’d like for your pom pom. Holding your yarn and template together in one hand, take the trailing yarn and wrap it around the template by pulling the yarn into the gap of the template and around repeatedly. For the pom pom to contain an abstract pattern, add different colors of yarn next to each other and overlapping on the template. 

Step 2: Now that your template is full, cut along the outer edge of the template while making sure the yarn stays in the center of the template. Once all the yarn is cut, take an additional piece of yarn, and tie it around the center of the yarn, creating a tight center with a poof of yarn on either side of the template. Now pull the template off the pom pom and trim any longer pieces of yarn to make an even fluff ball of yarn. 

Continue the same steps to make at least 3 pom poms. 

Step 3: Next up is making a tassel, use the rectangular template in the kit to create three different sizes of tassels. Holding the template in one hand, add a strand of yarn in the same hand, holding it against the bottom of the template (the top of the template has the cut out in it). Wrap the yarn around the outer edge of the template from bottom to top and around the bottom again, continue wrapping it around the template multiple times to create a thick wrap of yarn. 

You can use multiple colors by holding multiple strands of yarn at the same time and follow the same technique. 

Step 4: Once you’re finished wrapping the template, cut the yarn and tuck the tail of the yarn into the wrapped chunk of yarn. Cut a 6” piece of additional yarn and slide it under the wrapped portion, to be in the center of the wrap. Pull the yarn to the top and tie a double knot around the chunk of yarn. 

Step 5: Once you’re finished wrapping the template, cut the yarn and tuck the tail of the yarn into the wrapped chunk of yarn. Cut a 6” piece of additional yarn and slide it under the wrapped portion, to be in the center of the wrap. Pull the yarn to the top and tie a double knot around the chunk of yarn. 

Step 6: Using the cut out at the top of the template, take another piece of yarn, and wrap it around both sides of the wrapped portion of yarn and tie a knot to hold all the yarn together, creating a “neck” on your tassel.

You can wrap it around multiple times to create a longer “neck” on your tassel, depending on the style of tassel you’re making.

Step 7: Slide the tassel off the template and cut the yarn at the bottom to separate the yarn on only one end. Trim the loose end of the tassel to make the yarn even. 

Continue the same steps to make multiple tassels in varying sizes.

Step 8: When you’ve created all your tassels, it comes time to dip dye them. Fill a plastic cup with half a cup of water and add in a heavy-handed dose of white fabric paint. Mix the two substances thoroughly. The mixture should be watery yet opaque.

Step 9: Dip the finished tassel into the paint and water mixture, leaving at least ½ of it out of the water to clearly see the dividing line between the 2 shades of colors.
Gently squeeze out extra water from the tassel and set aside to dry. 

Tip: Don’t ring out all the water or it will remove all the color. This technique creates a dyed look but the color is coming from the paint that is sitting on top of the fiber rather than soaking into the fiber and changing it’s color.

Continue the same steps until all your tassels have been dyed.

Step 10: Cut a 3’ length of twine and tie a knot on 1 end by creating a loop at the end that will act as a barrier on both ends and a simple way to hang the garland with as well.

Step 11: Thread the sewing needle with the opposite end of the twine and string the tassels and pom poms on. Create a repeating pattern or a completely random design, depending on your style or event, this craft is sure to work for everyone.

Step 12: When you finished stringing the pom poms and tassels on, tie off the twine with a loop like you did on the opposite end. All of your pom poms and tassels are adjustable due to the way they’ve been strung on so you can adjust the spacing as desired.

Now that you’ve made this pom pom and tassel garland, I hope you learned a few new techniques that can one in handy for all your future pom pom and tassel crafts!

Thanks for crafting me and Handmade Modern!

Thanks for crafting with me and Handmade Modern! We want to see your finished art projects. Post on social media what you created and tag us using the hashtags #handmademodern #gomakestuff

This post is by fiber artist and craft enthusiast Tessa Anderstrom, the owner of handmade shop Studio Jane which focuses on sustainably made home décor and handmade art. As an avid DIYer with a passion for learning new skills, Tessa enjoys sharing that knowledge with crafters of all ages.