Easy Macrame Gnomes

In today’s post: Learn how to make super easy macrame gnomes – no macrame experience needed! This is a cute craft project you can complete in under half an hour. Use these adorable little gnomes to make a Valentine’s Day garland or hang them on your Christmas tree – you can vary the colors and embellishments for any holiday. Video tutorial and written tutorial included.

When I first saw a version of these adorable little gnomes I was intimidated by the fact that they are “macrame” gnomes. I don’t know how to macrame! (Or is “macrame” even a verb? Told you I had no idea.) Turns out I didn’t need to worry, because you don’t need any experience of any kind to make these cute little decorations – it’s the perfect first macrame project for a beginner.

Supplies

You only need five supplies to make simple macrame gnomes:

• Macrame Cord: I used 5 mm cord that I found at Hobby Lobby
• Yarn: I used standard medium weight (#4) yarn, also from Hobby Lobby
• 3/4 inch Wooden Beads: from, yes, Hobby Lobby
• 55 mm Wooden Rings: these I ordered from Amazon, you can find them here
• An empty toilet paper tube

How to Make a Macrame Gnome Video

Next, cut a 3/4 inch wide piece off the end of an empty toilet paper tube. You’ll use very simple macrame knots to attach the yarn to the tube. Grab one piece of yarn and fold it in half, creating a loop. Slide the loop inside the piece of tube, as shown below.

Then reach through the loop with fingers on your right hand and grab the tail ends of the yarn. Pull them through the loop and out to the right as shown.

Repeat that process 35-40 times, until yarn completely covers the toilet paper tube. Then grab all the yarn tails in one hand, twist them together and press them through the tube. Pull the tails all the way through and straighten them out a bit. This hides the knots inside the tube, and creates a “brim” for the hat.

Make the Beard

Now you’ll set the hat aside for a moment and make the gnome’s beard. We will use the same simple macrame knot to do so. If you are using 5mm macrame cord, you will need 7 pieces of 11 inch long cord. Take one piece of cord and fold it in half, creating a loop. Send the loop through the middle of the wooden ring, as shown.

Again, pass the tail ends of the cord through the loop, but this time pull the tails straight out to the left. Give them a good tug to tighten the knot (note: this is called a lark’s head knot).

Repeat with the six remaining pieces of macrame cord. Pull all of the beard cords tight, and press them close together. Using a comb and starting at the bottom, begin combing out the macrame cord, separating it into individual strands. It’s easiest to comb out part of the beard at a time. This will only take a few moments. Once the cord is all combed out, use scissors to cut it into a beard shape.

Glue the Gnome Together

Once the beard of your gnome is complete, assembly is very easy! Use hot glue to adhere a wood bead on the inside of the ring at the middle of the beard. If your bead has holes on each side, glue it with one hold down toward the beard and one hole facing up.

Then add glue on either side of the wood ring just above the beard and slide the hat down onto the ring, pressing it down until it meets the sides of the beard. The brim of the hat will cover the top of the bead.

Cut one more piece of yarn and use it to tie the top of the hat. Then trim the yarn ends to create a pom pom look on the top of the hat. Glue on any embellishments you’re using, like the wooden hearts I used on these gnomes.