How Much Does It Cost to Make a Yarn Pom Pom Garland?
A 6-foot DIY pom pom garland with 12 to 15 pom poms costs $3 to $8 in materials when using budget acrylic yarn. The same length in chunky wool or merino yarn runs $8 to $20. Compare that to Etsy sellers charging $15 to $40 for 6 feet and home decor stores pricing similar garlands at $30 to $60.
The primary cost is yarn. A standard worsted-weight acrylic skein (like Red Heart Super Saver, approximately 364 yards) costs $3 to $6 and makes 20 to 30 two-inch pom poms — enough for a 6-foot garland with room to spare. Using multiple colors doesn't necessarily increase cost significantly if you already have yarn from previous projects. Twine for the garland cord costs $1 to $3 for a roll that can string multiple garlands.
A pom pom maker tool ($3 to $8 for a set of 4 sizes) is a one-time purchase that pays for itself after one garland. Fork pom poms or cardboard donut templates are free substitutes that work just as well for experienced crafters. The largest time investment is the actual pom pom making — plan on 2 to 4 minutes per pom pom, or 30 to 60 minutes total for a 15-pom garland.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to make a DIY yarn pom pom garland?
A 6-foot DIY pom pom garland with 12 to 15 pom poms typically costs $3 to $8 in yarn and twine materials when using acrylic yarn. Wool yarn raises the cost to $8 to $20 for the same length. Pre-made pom pom garlands on Etsy run $15 to $40 for 6 feet, and similar garlands at home decor stores retail for $30 to $60.
How many pom poms do I need per foot of garland?
A standard pom pom garland has pom poms spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. At 5 inches of spacing, a 6-foot garland needs about 14 to 15 pom poms. At 4 inches of spacing it needs 18 pom poms. Pom pom size matters: 2-inch pom poms look good at 4 to 5 inch spacing, while larger 3-inch pom poms are often spaced 5 to 7 inches apart for a fuller look without crowding.
What is the cheapest yarn to use for pom pom garlands?
Basic acrylic worsted-weight yarn (like Red Heart Super Saver or Lion Brand Pound of Love) is the most budget-friendly option at $3 to $6 per skein. Each skein yields enough yarn for 20 to 30 pom poms at the 2-inch size, making the per-pom yarn cost just $0.10 to $0.30. Wool yarn creates fluffier, more luxurious pom poms but costs $8 to $15 per skein.
Do I need a pom pom maker, or can I use cardboard?
Cardboard donut templates work just as well as commercial pom pom makers and are free to make. Cut two identical donut shapes from a cereal box, hold them together, wrap yarn around them through the center hole, then cut around the outer edge and tie the middle. Commercial pom pom makers are faster and produce slightly more uniform results, but cardboard works fine for most home decor garlands.
How long does it take to make a 6-foot pom pom garland?
Most crafters can make a 15-pom garland in 45 to 90 minutes once they have the technique down. Allow 2 to 4 minutes per pom pom using a pom pom maker, plus time to trim, fluff, and tie each pom pom to the twine. A beginner's first garland may take 2 to 3 hours including setup and learning time.