DIY Christmas Gnomes
Cutesy, little, big or life-sized, gnomes can be found in almost all Western homes. And with the holidays coming up, Christmas gnomes are making another comeback. You can definitely purchase one online or if you’re lucky, at a local crafts fair in your area. But let’s face it, many of us are staying at home at leading idle lives because of the new virus variants.
Author:Paolo ReynaOct 05, 2021876 Shares219K Views
Cutesy, little, big or life-sized, gnomes can be found in almost all Western homes. And with the holidays coming up, Christmas gnomes are making another comeback. You can definitely purchase one online or if you’re lucky, at a local crafts fair in your area. But let’s face it, many of us are staying at home at leading idle lives because of the new virus variants. So why not start a new project right now? Make your own DIY Christmas gnomes right now and have them ready before December. Here’s a guide on the steps you can take to make these cute
Tips To Get Started
- Pick up an easy, novice no-sew gnome template like this one if you despise sewing (like I do). This is something I've been making for years and it's incredibly adaptable!
- Please take your time. Nobody is an expert right immediately, and many of these lectures took two or three attempts to perfect.
- Felt is a fabric that is incredibly forgiving. If you make a mistake, you can always trim it down and no one will notice. Fleece is another one of my favorite fabrics.
- Each gnome is one-of-a-kind. These DIY Christmas gnome tutorials aren't meant to limit you. Create your own gnome variation or a unique holiday gnome concept.
The Quality Of Fur Matters
If I were to give you one bit of gnome-making advice, it would be to use high-quality fur. It truly, really matters, believe me.
Although the sheets of fur in the crafts area may appear to be adequate, high-quality fur will transform your gnome from drab to fantastic. Mongolian is my favorite since it has a longer pile and looks and feels amazing. Crinkle fur is another popular choice, which can be found in most craft stores.
Wood Slice Gnome Ornaments
Our adorable little gnomes are made from wood slice ornaments, which are widely available. The faux fur is the only thing you'll need to make these. You can use any type of craft fur that can be found in most craft stores. Go to a fabric store and get a quarter of a yard cut if you like the type we used. There's no limit to how many gnomes you can make!
Supplies you will need are:
- wood slices (no need to drill holes)
- Mongolian fur fabric (or another craft fur)
- craft felt
- a nose (you can use plastic or wooden beads, clay pieces, or even buttons)
- hot glue
- twine or ribbon (about 10 inches)
- scissors and a razor blade
Tools you will need are:
- scissors
- razor blade
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
Learn the easy steps here.
Scandinavian Christmas Gnome With Rice (Tomte Or Nisse)
Bring this lovely DIY Scandinavian Christmas Gnome with rice body into your home this holiday season. It's a quick 30-minute project that everyone enjoys! If you’re new to producing or decorating with gnomes, here is a brief description of the cuties. Also known as tomte (or tomten), knome, gonks, or nisse (nisser), these characters are renowned in Sweden to be protectors of the home. The jule nisse, on the other hand, is extremely similar to St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, in that he carries a large bag of goodies and distributes them to good children.
Supplies for this are:
- craft felt for the hat and another fabric or felt for the body
- faux craft fur
- gnome nose – we use clay, wooden, and plastics beads, pompoms or buttons – anything
- bowls in one or two sizes (the body bowl I used was 6-inches in diameter)
- dry, uncooked rice
- glue gun, scissors, small elastics or rubber bands, or twine to tie
Tools are:
- glue gun
- small elastics or rubber bands or twine to tie
- scissors
Get the easy instructions here.
Crochet Christmas Gnome
You will absolutely love making these little guys. You can make a regular gnome, a slightly taller one, and even a lady gnome! The pattern is quite easy to follow, and you can easily make one or two of these in an evening. They can be used as ornaments, or you can connect a loop to the top of the hat and hang it from your tree.
So, what are you going to require? Reds, greys, browns, whites and off-white small Catona skeins, and rice! We're going to stuff the bodies with rice, so if you crochet loosely, use a stocking as a lining or reduce the hook size. The design calls for a 3mm hook, but you could use a 2.5mm instead.
Supplies you need are:
- Four mini skeins of Catona
- Colour 1: grey (242)
- Colour 2, red (115)
- Colour 3 off white (130)
- Colour 4 white (106)
- 3mm crochet hook
- Rice Scissors
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
Get all the crochet steps and techniques here.
Peppermint Christmas Gnome Cupcakes
After reading about nisse (or tomtar) in Scandinavian folklore, be inspired to construct these amusing creatures. Long white beards and pointed caps characterize these mythological animals, who are linked with winter and Christmas. Most nisse are kind according to legend, but if they are abused, trouble is sure to follow. In Sweden and Norway, modern versions of nisse are claimed to bring Christmas gifts, much like Santa Claus!
Ingredients you will need are as follows:
For the cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups 170g cake flour
- 1 cup 200g granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons 85g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 tablespoon liquid red food color
For the frosting:
- 1 cup/226g unsalted butter softened
- 5 cups/640 confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Milk or heavy cream
Hats and noses
- 12 sugar cones
- 1 lb. ready-made red fondant
- 3 tablespoons honey or corn syrup
- 12 strawberry fruit chews Starburst
Gnome Lavender Sachet
This gnome lavender sachet is charming, smells wonderful, and is a closet or drawer workhorse. It's a simple project that everyone will enjoy! Let's get this party started.
Here are four reasons you need these charming tiny relaxation-inducing gnomes in your life, whether you make them yourself or buy them:
- You may be more creative without turning one of your children's rooms into a craft area. It's a simple and quick craft that you can do with scraps.
- Because life can be smelly, there's always a place for a sachet. It's a little less so with this gnome DIY.
- Gnomes can assist you in channeling the relaxing effects of hygge. Lavender is also beneficial. ;)
- This method works in closets, drawers, and automobiles. Look at #2. (life is smelly).
Tips before you get started:
- Make the most of your scraps! Get creative with the materials because this is a scrap-busting project.
- If your burlap is wide-weave, use a cheesecloth liner to keep the stuffing in place.
- Fill the gnome cap with polyfill if you're using a thin fabric that won't maintain its shape like felt. You can also use essential oil to fragrance it.
Materials you will need are:
- felt for the hat
- burlap for the body (or cheesecloth)
- faux fur
- gnome nose (can be clay, beads, wood knobs)
- bowls (two sizes)
- 1/2 cup dried lavender (or rice scented with essential oil)
Tools you will need are:
- scissors
- glue gun and sticks
- rubber band, small elastic, or twine to tie
- razor blade or craft knife to cut faux fur
Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes From Socks
Re-live your love of Scandivanian gnomes with this one made from fluffy Christmas socks, both for decorating your own house and for gifting to family and friends.
Supplies for one gnome:
- 2 fluffy (chenille) socks in different designs to your liking
- 1 simple sock
- Fake fur, about 10x10 cm (4x4 inches)
- Skin colored fabric, only a small piece
- Rice, approximately 500 grams (2.5 - 3 cups)
- Pillow stuffing
- 2 rubber bands
- Rope, about 20 cm (8 inches)
- Wire, about 30 cm (12 inches)
And the tools you will need are:
- Scoop
- Funnel
- Glue gun
- Scissors
- Exacto knife and cutting mat
- Measuring tape
- Marker
- Sewing pins
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Pliers
Fir Branch Gnomes
Build your own spruce elves, who are totally adorable and a lot of fun to make! This tiny pal will be able to greet the Christmas guests from the outside. Make your own spruce elf that can be used both inside and out.
You will need:
- Sticks
- Granris
- Moss
- Wire
- Christmas ball
- Filling wadding
Christmas Gnome Wine Bottle Cover
This simple Christmas gnome wine bottle cover is a wonderful present. And because it's only a 30-minute project, you'll be done with this festive hostess present in no time.
Supplies you will need are:
- thick felt (we used an 8 x 11-inch sheet of stiff felt, 1.5 mm)
- craft fur (we used white for this fun gnome Christmas craft)
- 1/2 wood round (or a button, wooden bead, or nose made from clay)
- white craft pompom
- 2-inch ribbon
- hot glue gun and sticks
- razor blade or scissors (not to cut)
- wine bottle
Christmas Gnome Mason Jars
We've covered a variety of gnome crafts so far, but now it's time to talk about these Christmas gnome mason jars. Use any jar you have on hand: mason jars, baby food jars, spaghetti sauce jars - it doesn't matter what kind of container it is or how big it is. When the jars are different sizes, this makes a beautiful display. These Christmas gnome mason jars are a simple and quick craft that will bring the holiday season into your home. Let's get started with some scraps!
Materials you will are:
- Jars (with lids) in various sizes
- Faux fur (craft fur) and a razor blade or straight-edge to cut
- Flannel or other fabric
- Flesh-colored paint (tan, beige, brown, etc.)
- Unfinished wood circle or bead
Tools you will need are:
- Hot glue gun or craft glue (will take longer to make)
- foam brush
Follow the easy steps here.
Cardboard Tube Gnomes For Kids
Gnomes are miniature beings with human-like physical traits. Except they don't dwell above the earth. And they're quite little. As if you were an elf. Gnomes, like you and me, can walk through dirt underground in the same way that we can move through the air. Oh, and did I mention they're famous for guarding underground mines and even treasure? Santa's helper, the Christmas Gnome, is well-known. Humans rarely see them since they are little and can readily conceal them. They've been known to assist Santa and his helpers with Christmas preparations, gift delivery, and even reporting on children's progress throughout the year. I hope you enjoyed this project and it proves to be a great afternoon with your kids. Have fun!
Things you will need are:
- Cardboard tubes
- Construction paper
- Pom poms
- White yarn
- Craft glue
- Scissors
Read the easy steps here.
Jump to
Tips To Get Started
The Quality Of Fur Matters
Wood Slice Gnome Ornaments
Scandinavian Christmas Gnome With Rice (Tomte Or Nisse)
Crochet Christmas Gnome
Peppermint Christmas Gnome Cupcakes
Gnome Lavender Sachet
Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes From Socks
Fir Branch Gnomes
Christmas Gnome Wine Bottle Cover
Christmas Gnome Mason Jars
Cardboard Tube Gnomes For Kids
Paolo Reyna
Author
Paolo Reyna is a writer and storyteller with a wide range of interests. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies.
Paolo enjoys writing about celebrity culture, gaming, visual arts, and events. He has a keen eye for trends in popular culture and an enthusiasm for exploring new ideas. Paolo's writing aims to inform and entertain while providing fresh perspectives on the topics that interest him most.
In his free time, he loves to travel, watch films, read books, and socialize with friends.
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