DIY Fall Shawl with Pom Poms

Do you adore fall fashion as much as I do? This is my favorite time of year to bring out my cozy shawls and wrap myself up in traditional plaids. Today I’ve got a super simple DIY Fall shawl project for you (also known as a blanket scarf). All it takes is plaid fabric, scissors, and yarn for pom pom embellishments. The most difficult task for this project is trying to pick out which gorgeous plaid fabric you’ll want to use!

DIY Plaid Shawl - make this no-sew plaid blanket scarf with navy plaid fabric and pom poms. Wear it or toss it as a throw blanket! #fallshawl #plaidthrow #plaidshawl #blanketscarf

Keep reading for the 3 steps on how to make this shawl, and for all the different ways you can showcase it. I’m sure you can dream up more ways than I did. The shawl would also look lovely with Christmas plaid fabrics, so you could give it as a Christmas gift.

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Supplies

about 1.5 yards of plaid fabric. Flannel or fleece fabric will keep you warmer, but any cotton or light flannel will also do. (Note: I added this project to my One Yard Wonder series category on the blog, although ideally you’ll need more than 1 yard. However, feel free to make a long rectangle scarf using whatever fabric you have on hand that may be 1 yard or less. I just prefer the drape of a wider shawl).
pinking shears to cut fabric

yarn for pom poms
sewing needle and coordinating thread
Clover pom pom maker (optional – you can omit the pom poms, or make them by hand)

Click on these fabulous options for plaid fabrics and yarns:

How to Make a DIY Fall Shawl

How do you make a DIY blanket scarf? It only takes 3 steps!

DIY Fall Shawl Instructions

Step 1 – Cut Fabric

Cut a large square of fabric using your pinking shears. You can cut to any size you’d like, but a good place to start is a 45″ square piece. My shawl is larger, as I used fabric that is 60″ by 54″.

Make sure each edge is cut with your pinking shears. This will give the finished edge a nice zig-zag look instead of a raw edge that may fray. The nice thing about cutting plaid fabric is that you get to follow the lines for a straight edge.

Alternatively, you could cut a long rectangle to make a neck scarf vs. a blanket scarf.

Step 2 – Make yarn pom poms

Using a few yards of chunky yarn, make 4 pom-poms to attach to your scarf corners. I made mine using the 2.5″ diameter Clover pom-pom maker with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Fisherman yarn.

Step 3 – Attach pom poms to corners

The final step is to attach your 4 yarn pom poms to each corner of the shawl. Simply sew them on using needle and a complimentary thread.

You could optionally just pin the pom poms on using safety pins if you would like to change out the pom poms.

How to show off your Shawl

The fun part is to show off your blanket scarf, both for fashion and home decor!

Shawl as fashionable accessory:

Wear it wrapped around you for cold fall days. Here I folded my shawl in half diagonally before wrapping it around.

I’ve also coordinating the shawl with my handmade leather fringe necklace and knitted boot cuffs.

I love how the pom poms drape in the back…

…and in the front.

Shawl as cozy throw blanket:

Here I’ve tossed my blanket scarf as a throw on chairs…

… and on our dining room settee:

Shawl as tablecloth:

Our renovated modern farmhouse kitchen got a touch of fall when I used the shawl as a tablecloth for our banquette area.

What do you think? Would you try this project? Let me know if you do – I’d love to see!