Make this Quick Graduation Gnome Pattern for a Fun Graduation Gift!

Working up this easy no-sew graduation gnome pattern is a fun way to bring a smile to your grad’s face with a unique gift.

grad gnome no-sew pattern
Such a simple and easy no-sew graduation gnome pattern, you will love how quick this tomte works up.

Graduation Gnome Pattern

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we are absolutely in love with the idea of giving a truly unique and fun gift when gifting opportunities arise. To be honest, that’s kind of frequent in my life and this time it was a graduation that called for gifts. So, I pulled out my favorite gnome pattern, gave it a new graduation hat and viola!

RELATED READING: HOW TO MAKE A NO-SEW GNOME

This graduation gnome pattern is so simple, it’s ridiculous, but it makes for a great way to celebrate their achievement. So, if you’d like to make a graduate gnome in just a few minutes, let’s get started.

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collage of diy gnomes teaching how to make a gnome with or without legs and with or without sewing
no-sew grad gnome pattern
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photo collage of graduation gnome pattern cap and gown with text which reads make this easy no-sew graduation gnome pattern

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Tips to Make a Graduate Gnome

  • Start by grabbing the graduation gnome hat pattern here. Now, I made this grad hat specifically for the no-sew gnome pattern here that I made a while ago. So, grab that, too, before getting started.
  • Let’s talk about customization. I mean, this gnome is NOT intended to be a one-size-fits-all, because each grad is different and unique! By taking a quick second to find out if your grad is going to be wearing a special sash (like from the National Honor Society or some other accolade), or the school does a special color for their robes (blue, green, or red are almost as common as black these days) – making that one extra step is going to make your grad gnome a custom gift they’ll really love.
  • If you are making this as your first gnome, let me say “welcome to the fun”, but also, take a quick second to check out my quick tutorial on how to cut gnome beards. This is going to be a critical to making those long, lush, flowy beards that look so amazing.
graduation gnome pattern

Get the Gnome Pattern

Click below to get the gnome pattern and be grab the free grad cap pattern, too!

graduation gnome pattern

How Do I Make this Graduation Gnome Pattern?

I’m so glad you asked. Below is our written tutorial. Be sure to check out the full graduation gnome tutorial here on YouTube.

Yield: 1 No-Sew Gnome with a Graduation Hat

Graduation Gnome Pattern

graduation gnome pattern

Such a quick and fun graduation gift idea, this graduation gnome pattern is definitely a unique and easy way to make a grad feel special.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $3

Materials

Tools

  • Hot Glue Gun and Glue
  • Razor Blade or Craft Knife
  • Scissors
  • Wire Cutters
  • Comb, optional

Instructions

  1. Make your gnome nose by preheating your oven per the directions on your polymer clay packaging. Then combine a portion of light brown and white polymer clay until you have the color you want. Roll a quarter-sized portion of this clay into a neat ball. This is the nose. Set aside. Repeat rolling two additional balls of clay slightly smaller than the first. These will be the hands. Set aside. Bake the polymer clay hands and nose per the directions on your polymer clay packaging. Allow them to cool completely before handling.
  2. To make the gnome, trace and cut out one large gnome body shape from the black fleece fabric. Fold the gnome body shape in half and run a hem along the open side with your hot glue. Fold the flap of the gnome body shape over and close the bottom of the gnome with hot glue or a seam. Allow the glue to dry fully.
  3. Fill the gnome body with 1-2 cups of Poly Beads. Tuck a small portion of Poly-Fill into the top of the gnome body to hold the Poly Beads inside.
  4. Cut out out a "u" beard shape from the faux fur by flipping the fur face-down on the table and using your razor blade or craft knife to cut only the fabric backing. Gently pull the beard shape away from the remainder fur.
  5. Affix the beard to the gnome by hot gluing the fabric backing of the beard to the body, about 1 inch below the top edge of the gnome body. Hot glue the nose in place about 1-inch below the top of the beard.
  6. Cut out two arm shapes from the black fleece. Place a line of hot glue down one long side of the arms and hem it. Slip a small length of floral wire inside each arm, to make them bendy.
  7. Place an arm on either side of the beard, aligning the top of the arm with the top of the gnome, to ensure that the hat will cover it when in place and, when you are satisfied with the placement, hot glue the arms in place. Hot glue the hands in place on the ends of the arms. photo collage tutorial of how to make a graduation gnome
  8. To make the hat, cut two of the cap top shapes and one cap base shape from black felt. Then cut one cap top shape from the craft foam. Hot glue the two black cap top shapes on either side of the craft foam cap top shape, taking care to cover the foam piece completely. Allow the hot glue to cool before proceeding.
  9. Test-fit the cap base around the top of your gnome to get the perfect fit around the arms, beard and nose, then hot glue the cap base in this fit. Turn the cap base shape upside down and position it in the center of the cap top piece. Hot glue the cap base piece in place onto the cap top piece. Allow the hot glue to cool completely.
  10. Cover the button with the black felt, then hot glue the covered button onto the center of the top of the cap top piece.
  11. Make a tassel by wrapping the black embroidery thread around four of your fingers about 25 times. Tie one end of the tassel tightly, then cut the other end and trim neatly. Wrap the tied portion of the tassel with the gold embroidery thread for a little pop of color. Make a long loop and thread it through the top of the tassel to finish it.
  12. Place the hat on top of the gnome's head, tucking it down over the top of the nose. Squish it down snugly, partly covering the nose with the pointy part of the hat base. Hot glue the hat in place in the back and sides of the gnome, the whole way around.
  13. Add the tassel to the button on top of the hat by hooking it over the button and hanging the tassel in front of the gnome's face, off to one side. Then it's time to gift your grad gnome! photo collage tutorial of how to make a grad gnome

Notes

This gnome stands 10-inches (ish, depending on how twisty you make your hat, of course).

For more fun no-sew patterns for gnomes, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots (we have lots...).

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