Who can resist the charm of a handmade gnome? Neither can I!
See how to make yarn gnomes using just scrap macrame cords, yarn, and a wooden ring. You can whip up these cute macrame gnome ornaments so quickly, and they always turn out super cute!
If you're new to yarn crafts or macrame, be sure to explore these ten easy macrame project ideas for beginners. Happy knotting!
Table of Contents
Dive into the magical world of crafting with our latest tutorial on creating adorable yarn gnomes! Transform scrap macrame cords, vibrant yarn, and a simple wooden ring into charming macrame gnome ornaments.
Supplies
Shop my personal favorite macrame supplies on Amazon HERE.
- 5mm macrame cord (you can also use thinner, see tips at the bottom)
- a piece of cardboard from an empty toilet paper roll
- a ½" wooden bead
- a 2" wooden ring
- some yarn for the hat
- scissors
- a comb
- a hot glue gun, or just glue
How to make Yarn Gnomes tutorial
Your holiday decor is about to get a sprinkle of handmade magic, let's start!
Part 1 - Create a Macrame Gnome beard
Step 1- Cut
Cut 8 pieces of macrame cord I chose 10" length, they can be a bit shorter, too.
Step 2 - Fold the cord
Start by folding one cord in half, then place the loop behind the ring, facing inwards. Now grab the ends and pull them through the loop.
Step 4 - Tighten
Complete the knot by tightening the ends firmly. The first knot is done, a few more to go!
Step 5 - Repeat
Repeat with the remaining cords.
Step 6 - Comb and attach bead
Starting from the bottom, comb out the macrame cord to separate it into individual strands. Glue on the wood bead for a nose. I used a hot glue gun, you can either tie the bead to the ring or use some other type of glue.
Step 9 - Attach a hanging loop
Add a loop to the top of the wooden ring to use your diy yarn gnome as an ornament if you wish.
Part 2 - Make a Yarn Hat
Step 1 - Cut the Yarn and Cardboard
Cut 30-50 pieces of yarn, depending on the thickness. The thicker the yarn, less yarn strands you'll need. About the length, I chose 11 inches. I wrapped yarn around my quilting ruler, but it can also be a piece of cardboard. Once you have enough yarn, cut it to get a bunch of 11" long strands.
Also, cut a ¾ inch wide piece off the end of an empty toilet paper tube. This is what you have now:
Step 2 - Attach Yarn to cardboard tube
This is how you knot the yarn onto the tube. What you see here is also called a larks head knot. Super simple, and so good to know!
- Fold one piece of yarn in half, creating a loop, and place the loop through the center of the tube.
- Reach through the loop to grab the tail ends of the yarn, then
- pull them through the loop.
- Pull them tight to tighten the knot.
Repeat with the rest of the yarn, until you cover the entire tube with yarn.
Then grab all tails of yarn, twist them together, and push them through the tube. This hides the knots and creates a "brim" for the hat.
Part 3 - Assemble the gnome
All we need to do now is attach the hat and trim the beard:
Slide the hat down onto the top part of the wooden ring. Pull the hanging loop up through the center of the hat.
Cut another piece of yarn to tie around the loose yarn to finish the hat. Then trim the yarn ends (but not the hanging loop) to create a lovely pom pom look on the hat. Trim the beard to create a neat edge.
And there you have it, your cute diy macrame gnome! As you place these adorable creations around your home, know that you've added a personal touch to your holiday decor, and that's truly special
Variations
If you haven't got exactly a 5mm macrame cord at hand, you can also use thinner, like this 3mm macrame cord here on Amazon. The only difference? You'll have to cut a few more pieces. Here's a photo so you can compare thickness:
Best use twisted, 3-strand macrame cord, it's easy to use for this project.
Happy crafting, and may your holidays be as delightful as your gnomes!