Make a DIY Gnome Wine Sleeve

I was challenged by a reader to make a gnome wine sleeve she could make quickly. Because I challenged myself to use a thrift store sweater for some crafts, this adorable guy was created.

This gnome bottle topper DIY takes less than 10 minutes to put together and is a great craft idea to make and sell! Create a few of these and place them over empty bottles at craft store fairs or markets to increase sales conversions.

DIY Sweater Gnome Wine Topper

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’m challenging myself to create a ton of cute, sellable items using a thrift store sweater. A couple of years ago, I created a drawing on my iPad with a few ideas of ways to use a sweater but it got reprioritized due to other projects…

I suffer from shiny new craft supply syndrome, so this kept getting pushed back.

Today I found a sweater I’d picked up at a thrift store AND got an email from a reader asking for a gnome wine sleeve. It seemed like the perfect way to start my day but I didn’t want to use the sleeves from an old sweater.

If you LOVE this idea but need to find a thrift store sweater, use the sharing buttons and save this to a DIY gnome pin board or share it on Facebook. Either way will make this easy to find when you’re ready to make a gnome from a sweater.

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Tips for Making a Gnome Wine Sleeve Using a Sweater

I’ve shared many ways to make a gnome hat from a sweater sleeve with this adorable sweater gnome hat being a quick and easy way to use one (more below). Today, I wanted to share how to use the entire sleeve and not just the end. Keeping that in mind…

• You do NOT NEED A SLEEVE for this, so reserve those for other upcycle projects or make any of my other DIY gnomes using sweaters.
• In fact, you do not even need to use a sweater. Use a piece of fleece, fold it over, and create this the same way.
• The measurements do not have to be exact and that’s what makes this a fun sweater upcycle craft – you can create these for full wraps or just as gnome bottle toppers.
• Faux fur of any kind works, as does yarn (brushed out), a dollar store cotton mop, or even moss. Check your craft stash or the thrift stores for anything plush like stuffed animals, as well.
• For this gnome wine sleeve, I used a one inch wood ball (without holes), however, you can use wood beads, mini ornaments, or pom poms for a gnome nose.
• When setting these up at markets or craft fairs, be sure to use a couple of empty wine bottles to display wine sleeves and wine bottle toppers.

Supplies You Will Need for This Easy Gnome Bottle Topper

Below are the supplies I used as inspiration. If you don’t have faux fur on hand, read the tips above for alternatives.

• cleaned thrifted sweater (I used a medium women’s sweater)
• faux fur (I used this fur but they have TONS of colors)
• wood round, bead, or other gnome nose
• a pin
• decorations

How to Make This Wine Sleeve Gnome

If you’re are a visual learner, watch the step by step gnome wine sleeve video tutorial and watch how to recycle a sweater. It’s a quick project and I have some colorful commentary that might just make you smile.

Below are the step by step instructions with pictures so you can keep this page open and follow along. If you prefer a printable version without images, scroll down.

First, lay the upcycle sweater flat, lining up the bottom. Pin the fabric together. Place the wine bottle on top of the sweater, lining it up with the outside edge of the body portion and the bottom of the sweater.

Measure and cut the width of the bottle, making a small cut at the bottom. If the sweater you’re using has stretch, there is no need to a seam allowance. If the sweater does not have stretch, add 3/4 to 1 inch.

While still resting on the sweater, measure one inch above the top of the bottle and make a downward cut.

Join the two cuts, producing a two-layer triangle-ish shape.

Put the right sides of the sweater together and pin in place. Use hot glue or fabric glue (or you can sew it) to secure the long open edge of the piece.

Let dry fully if using glue and turn right-sides out. I prefer to use a pair of needle nosed pliers to assist with this. Check that all seams are secure.

Slip the gnome wine sleeve onto the bottle and decide where to place the beard and how large you’d like it. I made mine wrap just over halfway around the bottle (about 6 inches wide) and a few inches high.

This next step is optional but will elevate the appearance of the gnome. Use hot glue to secure the top edge of the faux fur backing down.

Secure the gnome beard to the sweater while on the bottle using hot glue.

Glue the gnome nose to the bottle topper by splitting the faux fur to the fabric backing.

Add decorations and display the gnome wine bottle sleeve or gift it with a nice vintage.

More DIY Sweater Gnomes You Might Like

• Sweater Hat Gnome – This is a popular gnome to make because it uses a sock gnome body (with a base) and a sweater sleeve.
• DIY Gnome Using a Winter Hat – Another fun way to incorporate a cozy look is to use a look-a-like sweater hat (just one) to create an entire gnome!
• Easy Cone Gnome with Sweater Sleeve Hat – This quick DIY uses a sweater sleeve to create the fastest gnome hat and you’ll learn how to piece together faux fur without a seam.

Please Save or Share This Fun Gnome Bottle Topper

Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely thankful. Please use the sharing buttons to save this to an repurpose sweaters ideas pin board or share it on Facebook.