Welcome to the world of Valentines mini-gnomes! In this post, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of creating two unique and charming gnomes, one using a tiny plastic cup and the other using a small glass candleholder.
With just a few other materials- pom poms, felt material, a hot glue gun, and glue- you'll have the opportunity to unleash your creativity and bring these whimsical creatures to life. Let's get started on our DIY Valentine's gnome crafts!
Valentines Mini-Gnomes Craft Supplies:
- Yarn
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue
- Thick Craft Felt
- Pom-Pom or Bead for Nose
- Mini Party Cups
- Small Glass Candle Holder
- Embellishments (optional)
- Batting or Cotton Balls
Making the Valentines Day Mini-Gnome Craft
The pattern below is for your gnome hat. Download the pdf at the bottom of this post and print out a few copies of the gnome hat.
How to Make the Hat for the Valentines Mini-Gnome
Cut out a paper gnome hat. Wrap it around your plastic container to test the size. If you need to make the hat bigger or smaller, lay your paper hat on another printed gnome hat that hasn't been cut out.
If you need to increase the size of the gnome hat, draw an outline around the hat form that is about 1/8th inch larger.
Draw an outline around the hat form that is about 1/8th inch smaller if you need to make your gnome hat smaller.
How to Glue the Hat for your Valentines Mini-Gnome
Cut out the felt hat. Collect your plastic container, felt hat, and heated glue gun. Turn your container upside down. Determine where you want the hat’s front to be. Starting at the front, ensure that each side of your felt is the same length. Wrap the felt edges around the container’s back. To form a seam, hot glue the edges of the felt together on the container.
Only glue the felt about half way up on the container, do not glue the top of the hat.
Stuffing and Finishing your Valentines Mini-Gnome Hat
After gluing the lower part of the gnome hat on the plastic or glass cup, stuff the hat. Fill the gnome hat as full as you like with cotton balls or batting.
If you want your gnome hat to bend down or be saggy, put less stuffing in it so the material is slack.
Glue the remainder of the seam. If you don't want your gnome to have a straight hat, you can fold down the hat at a 90 degree angle and glue it in place.
Making a Beard for your Valentines Mini-Gnome Décor:
- Decide how long you want the valentines mini-gnome beard to be.
- Double the length.
- Add an 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch, this leaves you room to trim.
Cut multiple yarn pieces to the length that you desire. Make a clump of the yarn with each piece aligned together. Then, take a piece of yarn or a rubber band and tie around the middle of the yarn. See photo for example. Then, line up the middle of the yarn and glue.
Valentines Mini-Gnome Final Touches:
After you've glued on the beard is glued on, add a pom-pom or a bead for a nose. Glue a pom-pom or bead to the top of the hat . Add a felt heart or additional embellishments as desired.
Find detailed instructions for the hat and beard here:
https://readcountcraft.com/2019/12/01/diy-bent-hat-gnome-in-10-easy-steps/
Below the single DIY Valentine's Day mini-Gnome is a direct Download which includes:
Mini Gnome Hat Pattern, Supply List, Instruction Steps