How to Make Easy DIY Macrame Gnomes (Video Tutorial)

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! Let’s embrace all things lucky and green with a cute new craft, Macrame Gnomes! With their charming knit hats and fluffy orange beards, our leprechaun gnomes are sure to bring a smile to your face this season. Read on for our step-by-step instructions and video tutorial for this easy macrame project.

Two macrame gnomes on St. Patrick's Day themed paper.

Macrame Gnome Craft

Whether you’re a seasoned macrame artist or new to the art of knotting, this fun and simple project is sure to bring a touch of whimsy to your holiday decor.

Many thanks to It’s Always Autumn and her Valentine’s Day Macrame Gnomes for inspiring our St. Paddy’s Day version!

RELATED: Paper Cup Leprechaun Craft

Craft Supplies Needed

This craft is perfect for gnome lovers! Before you start, make sure you have all the right supplies:

40mm wooden rings
4mm macrame cord, orange and forest green
19mm wooden beads
Toilet paper tube
Macrame fringe comb
Hot glue gun and hot glue
Scissors
Wooden shamrock buttons

Watch the Video Tutorial

Watch the video below to be walked through every step of this craft.

Mini Yarn Hat Directions

All gnomes need a floppy hat! Follow the directions below to learn how to make a Mini Yarn Hat for your gnome’s head.

STEP 1: Cut the toilet paper tube. Use scissors or a paper cutter to cut a 3/4 inch wide piece of toilet paper roll.

Cutting a toilet paper roll with a paper cutter.

STEP 2: Prepare the green cording. Use sharp scissors to cut 15 12-inch pieces of green macrame cord. We used a wooden ruler to measure and cut one piece, then used that piece as a template to cut the rest.

STEP 3: Make the gnome’s hat. Attach each length of green cording to the toilet paper tube using a simple knot called a cow hitch, also known as a lark’s head knot.

Fold the cording in half to make a loop.
Bring the loop under and over the wooden ring.
Push the two tail ends of the cording through the loop.
Tighten the knot by pulling both ends of the cording gently.
Repeat 14 more times!

Lark's Head Knot on a toilet paper roll.

STEP 4. Tie the hat. Use a piece of scrap cord to tie off the top of the hat with a square knot. Push the tail ends of the cords through the hat and trim them.

STEP 5. Finish the hat! Use scissors to trim and shape the pom pom on top of the miniature hat. Use the comb to fluff out the pom pom. Hot glue a wooden shamrock into the center of the hat.

Miniature yarn and toilet paper roll hat.

Leprechaun Gnome Directions

Follow the steps below to continue making your Macrame Gnome!

STEP 1: Prepare the orange cording. Cut 11 12-inch pieces of orange macrame cord. Again, we used a ruler to measure and cut one piece, then used that piece as a template to cut the rest.

STEP 2: Make the gnome’s beard. Secure 7 pieces of orange cording to the wooden ring with lark’s head knots to make the gnome’s macrame beard.

STEP 3. Make the mustache! Push 4 pieces of cord (orange, or course) through a wooden bead. Position the bead so it’s in the center and there are equal amounts of hanging cord on each size. Squeeze a drop of hot glue inside the bead to secure the pieces of macrame cord.

STEP 4: Fluff the mustache and beard. Comb out the leprechaun’s beard and mustache. We found it easiest to start at the bottom and work our way to the top.

Mustache, beard, and hat for macrame gnome craft.

STEP 5: Make the gnome’s face. Hot glue the wooden bead to the inside of the wooden ring. Position it so it is in the center of gnome’s beard as a nose.

When the glue is dry, use scissors to trim and shape the mustache and beard. You may even wish to braid a small part of the mustache—tie off each braid with a single strand of cord and a double knot.

STEP 6: Finish the craft. Hot glue the hat onto the gnome’s head. Make sure the hat slides all the way to the top of the gnome’s nose, partially covering it.

STEP 7: Enjoy your craft! Your St. Patrick’s Day Macrame Gnome is complete! If you want, make more of them in different colors!

Two macrame gnomes on St. Paddy's Day paper.

Take it Further

Looking for extension or gifting ideas? We’ve got you covered:

Create Macrame Santas with jingle bells to hang from your Christmas tree!
Make a boho style gnome with natural cording.
Pair this craft with a book about St. Patrick’s Day.
Create a garland of gnome hats!
Make a macrame gnome kit to gift as party favors.
Offer this craft as a make-and-take at your library or school program.
Pair this craft with a book about gnomes. We like Finding a Gnome for Lucky Leprechaun by Vea Lewis.
Make a Christmas gnome with a red hat!
Tie a loop of string to the back of the hat so it can be used as an ornament.
Glue a magnet to the back of the gnome and hang it on the refrigerator.
Hang the gnome from a bottle of Irish wine, then gift to a friend for St. Patrick’s Day.
Use thinner cord or yarn for the hat to change the texture.
Create festive gnomes to use as gift toppers for the holiday season!

More St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids

Looking for more great ideas? These easy crafts are fun for kids of all ages.

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