Decorative Gnomes
No matter what the season, gnomes can add a whimsical touch to our home decor. Here’s a quick, inexpensive, and very easy way to make your own decorative gnomes that are perfect for fall.
How to Make Decorative Gnomes
There are no special skills required to create these gnomes, and you only need a few basic supplies. Grab the materials below, and let’s get started!
Materials
- small terracotta pot
- white, brown, or grey yarn
- wooden bead
- ribbon or twine
- felt (optional)
- scissors
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
Instructions
Create and attach the hanger to the pot.
Cut a piece of ribbon or twine that’s at least 6” long. Fold it in half to form a loop, and tie a knot at the bottom. Thread the loop through the drainage hole in the base of the pot, leaving the knot on the inside.
Create a pom pom from white or grey yarn. This will be the beard.
Cut a 6” piece of yarn and set it aside. Wrap yarn around your hand 40-50 times. The more you wrap, the larger and more full your beard will be. Carefully slide it off your hand and lay it on the table. Wrap the 6” piece around the center of the looped yarn and tie it tightly. On each side, you’ll have a series of loops. Insert your scissors and cut through the center of the loops to form the pom pom.
Glue the pom pom inside the pot.
Holding the center strings, gently push all of the cut yarn pieces in one direction. Place hot glue around the inside rim of the pot and attach the pom pom to form the beard.
Add a wooden bead nose.
Personally, I think the larger the nose, the cuter the gnome, but you can choose whatever size bead you like best.
Add small felt details to the hat.
For fall, I cut two tiny felt leaf shapes, and glued them to the rim of the pot. You can customize these for any season or holiday, adding things like a heart, holly leaves/berries, a flower, etc. My Surebonder glue gun has a detail tip that makes it really easy to work on tiny projects like this one.
Now your gnome is ready to display! Whether you create just one or a whole gnome family, this project is sure to bring a smile.
Crafting Tips
- I used terracotta pots that were about 1 1/2”. You can create larger or smaller gnomes by changing the size of the pot/hat.
- To create a longer beard, wrap the yarn around something larger than than your hand (like a small book) when forming the pom pom.
- Feel free to paint the pot in any way you like to further customize your gnome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gnomes, or “nisse,” are mythological creatures from Nordic folklore. They are usually described as short in stature, with long white beards and conical hats. Although they are often associated with winter, their adorable appearance has gained them year-round popularity.
This project can be enjoyed by crafters of all ages, provided that young children are supervised/assisted while using the hot glue gun.
The terracotta pots are usually around $1, and most of us probably have yarn, ribbon, and wooden beads around the house already, so it’s a very inexpensive project to make.
More Fall Projects
If you enjoyed this craft, be sure to check out these other fall project ideas.
If you try making your own decorative gnomes, or any of these fall projects, I’d love to see your photos so we can all be inspired. Make sure you’re part of the Amy Latta & Friends Facebook Group so you can share your latest creations. See you there!
Decorative Gnomes
Equipment
- scissors
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
Materials
- small terracotta pot
- small wooden bead
- yarn
- felt (optional)
Instructions
- Form a loop of ribbon and thread it through the hole in the bottom of the pot to create a hanger.
- Create a pom-pom by wrapping yarn around your hand, tying in the center, and cutting the loops.
- Glue the pom-pom inside the terracotta pot.
- Glue on a wooden bead nose.
- Cut tiny felt leaves and glue to the brim of the hat.
