Use a fork to make a pom pom dandelion from yarn and a pipe cleaner

Pom Pom Dandelions

These pom pom dandelions are SO CUTE! Did you know you can make a pom pom flower by wrapping yarn around a fork?! It’s such an easy way to make a pom pom!

We chose to make dandelions to celebrate summer, but you can easily use the exact same method to make other flower colours. These DIY flowers look surprisingly realistic and make the perfect homemade gift for mom, dad, or grandparents!

Use a fork to make a pom pom dandelion from yarn and a pipe cleaner

 

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How to Make a Pom Pom Dandelion

Make super cute pom pom dandelions using yarn, a pipe cleaner, and a fork! It’s such a fun and cheerful kids craft for spring, summer, or anytime.
Author: Debbie Chapman

Equipment:

Check Out The Video Tutorial:

Looking for more pipe cleaner flower crafts? Here’s a few of our favourites:Beaded Pipe Cleaner FlowersPipe Cleaner Daffodil and TulipsPipe Cleaner Sunflowers

Instructions:

Step 1: Find what you need

  • Gather your supplies and materials.
    Pom Pom Dandelions SuppliesPom Pom Dandelions Supplies

Step 2: Wrap the yarn around a pipe cleaner and a fork

  • Hold a green pipe cleaner beside a fork, placing it so that 1/3 of it sticks out above the top of the fork.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions
  • Wrap the yarn around the fork 45 to 60 times. Wrapping it more times will give you a fuller, bushier flower.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions
  • Slide the yarn off the fork. Then bend the top part of the pipe cleaner down towards the other half.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions
  • Twist the pipe cleaner tightly around itself several times to secure the yarn. Cut the yarn off from the ball.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions

Step 3: Finish the flower

  • Wind the longer end of the pipe cleaner up around the bottom of the yarn, creating the flower’s bud. This is optional. If you want to create a rounder pom pom flower, or the white fluffy dandelion after it’s gone to seed you can skip this step.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions
  • Slide the scissors through the yarn loops and cut through the middle. Make sure each loop is cut.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions
  • Use the fork as a brush. Push it between the strands of yarn to tidy up the pom pom and separate the threads in the yarn slightly.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions
  • Trim the ends of the yarn to make the top of the flower even and flat. Continue trimming until you’re happy with the shape of your flower.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions
  • Again, use the fork to brush through the flower to pull apart the ends of the yarn and give it more texture.
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions
  • Your pom pom dandelion is complete!
    Pom Pom DandelionsPom Pom Dandelions

Helpful Tip:

  • Make different sizes of flowers using different sizes of forks. A small dessert fork will make a tiny dandelion, while a serving fork will make a large and fluffy flower!

Yellow and white seeded pom pom dandelionsYellow and white seeded pom pom dandelions

How do I make the white seeding puff ball?

We used the same method to make the white puff ball dandelion. Except we used a white scrubby cotton yarn and wrapped it around the fork 110 times.

Then, instead of wrapping the pipe cleaner around the base of the pom pom to make a bud, we wrapped the pipe cleaner around itself to make a thicker stem. You’ll want a round pom pom on the end, instead of a flatter flower.

What type of yarn works best to make pom pom dandelions?

We used cotton yarn because it gives the flower a spiky, textured look. It was also much easier to separate the ends of the cotton yarn compared to acrylic yarn.

If you don’t have cotton yarn, acrylic yarn definitely works as well! It just has a different look to it. The fork doesn’t really separate the strands in the acrylic yarn so the flower ends up looking quite a bit more fuzzy.

Group of pom pom flowers on a white backgroundGroup of pom pom flowers on a white background

How many times should I wrap the yarn around the fork?

This will depend on how big your fork is and how thick your yarn is. If you’re using thin yarn or a large serving fork, you’ll need to wrap the yarn around the fork more times.

If you’re using thick chunky yarn, you can generally wrap it fewer times. For example, if you use a regular fork with chunky yarn, you can probably get away with wrapping it 20 to 30 times. You might have to make a test flower or two to get it right.

What if I don’t want to use a fork?

There are so many easy ways to make a pom pom! You can make a pom pom using only your hands and use the string to tie the flower onto a stem. Or you can cut a rectangle out of cardboard and wrap your yarn around the cardboard instead of your fingers.

And if you want to keep your hands free, use a pom pom maker to make an easy pom pom. These methods will give you a round pom pom base that you can shape into a beautiful DIY flower!

How to make a pom pom dandelion with a forkHow to make a pom pom dandelion with a fork

How can I make my pom pom flower more realistic?

You can make the flower stem from craft wire, instead of a pipe cleaner, and wrap it with floral tape. You could even make a leaf from crepe paper and attach it to the stem.

Can I use this method to make other flowers?

Yes! Try making these flowers in all your favourite colours instead of using yellow! Try winding the yarn more times, or fewer times to make different shapes. And try different types of yarn to get different textures.

How to make pom pom dandelionsHow to make pom pom dandelions

Display these pom pom dandelions in a mason jar or vase, or twist the stems together into a flower crown! They’re so much fun to make, and it’s a great activity for a sleepover, birthday party, or any time!

Easy pom pom dandelions made with a forkEasy pom pom dandelions made with a fork

Here’s even more DIY flower ideas:

Coffee Filter Flowers

How to make coffee filter flowersHow to make coffee filter flowers

Perler Bead Flower

DIY Perler beads flowerDIY Perler beads flower

Crepe Paper Flowers

How to make paper crepe flowersHow to make paper crepe flowers

Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!

Low Mess Crafts for Kids BookLow Mess Crafts for Kids Book

Where to buy:

You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:

Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Books-A-Million  |  Indiebound  |  Amazon Canada