How to make Easter Gnomes (DIY sock gnomes)

In today’s post: Easter gnomes are easy to make and absolutely adorable!

Life is busy. So busy that sometimes I wonder why I take time away from all the “important things” to spend time crafting. Sure, some of the things I make are useful, like a soft finger knit blanket or my favorite maxi dress. But other crafts really don’t have much function at all.

Except that making things makes me happy. I don’t know how it works, but I know it does.

And so I’ve made Easter bunny gnomes. I’m aware that they are slightly ridiculous (Easter bunny gnomes???). But they’re also adorable and they make me happy. And my daughter makes them talk to each other, which makes me even happier. And right now I’ll take all the happy I can get.

These gnomes might look familiar, and that’s because they are the very same sock gnomes I made for Valentine’s day, just wearing Easter bunny hats this time. Once you have the gnome body constructed, it’s really easy to change out the hat for any season or holiday!

Easter Gnomes Supplies

For each Easter gnome you’d like to make, you will need:

One patterned or colored sock in an adult size: You’ll use a colorful sock to make the gnome’s hat. In my original sock gnome tutorial I said you needed a crew sock, but this time I’ve figured out how to make ankle socks work too!

Be aware that the sock will be turned upside down once it’s on the gnome, so some holiday specific socks won’t work because the designs on them will end up upside down. Stripes, polka dots, or other geometric patterns work really well.

One solid sock in an adult size: I think it looks best if this sock is a different color than the one used for the hat.

A 4×4 inch piece of faux fur: You can find this at a craft/fabric store. I used this fur from Joann’s, and just asked them to cut me a 4 inch piece. Fur is pretty expensive per yard, but you’ll be able to buy 4 inches for about $3. That will give you a piece that’s 4 inches tall by 58 inches wide, so you’ll have enough fur to make LOTS of gnomes. Look for a fur that’s on the longer side.

One wood bead, 1.25 inches

One 9 inch tall foam cone: You can find these at a craft store or in the craft section at Walmart. I prefer the white craft cones because the green floral ones shed. They’ll be 9 inches tall and about 4 inches wide at the bottom.

Felt for the bunny ears:  You will need one sheet of white craft felt and one sheet of colored craft felt to make ears.

NOTE: Please visit the Valentine’s sock gnome post to learn the basic steps for making a sock gnome. Then come back here to learn how to make the Easter hat.

How to Make a Sock Gnome using an ankle sock

It’s easiest to use an adult size crew sock to make the gnome’s hat (instructions for that right here). However, I’ve found that stores carry more color/pattern options in women’s ankle style socks, so this time I figured out how to make those work.

Using a crew sock will give you a super long hat that you can tie in a knot or allow to flop over like you can see in these Valentine’s gnomes:

Using an ankle sock works, but it results in a shorter hat.

To use an ankle sock to make a gnome hat, follow these steps (step correspond to numbered photos below):

1 – Turn the sock inside out and identify the “heel” portion. It’s easy to see in the striped sock below because it’s the gray part. 2 – Place the sock down flat and fold over the top cuff. That will allow you to pinch out just the heel portion. 3 – Sew across the heel, stretching the sock as you sew. Trim about 1/4 inch from your seam. 4 – Turn the sock sideways. Pin a diagonal line from the cuff down to the toe of the sock, as shown in the photo. 5 – Sew along that line and trim about 1/4 inch away from it. 6 – Turn the sock right side out and the hat is finished.

Assemble your gnome as directed in the Valentine’s sock gnome post.

How to Make an Easter Gnome

To turn your gnome into an Easter bunny, you need to add some bunny ears. For each gnome you’ll want two ears cut from white felt, and two ear liners cut from colored felt. I’ve made a pattern you can download and trace:

Click here for the Easter Gnome Bunny Ears pattern

I purchased a sheet of “premium” craft felt for the white part of the ears. It’s just a thicker felt that’s a bit stiffer. I think normal craft felt would also work just fine (and that’s what I used for the colored portion).

Trace and cut the ears. Layer the colored ears over the white ears and hot glue them together.

Then place the hat on top of the cone and pull it down so it meets the nose. Glue the ears to the sock just above the cuff.

Then flip the cuff up to cover the bottom of the ears, and pull the sock down so it meets the nose and covers the top of the beard. Cute little Easter bunny gnomes!