How to Make a Gnome from a Sweater

Today let’s make a gnome from a sweater I picked up at the thrift store. Using a hot glue gun, this easy gnome craft comes together in minutes – yes, NO sewing machine!

We’re going to make a sweater sleeve gnome – both the gnome hat and body are created with a single sleeve! This is an easy, no sew gnome idea you can make for any holiday.

RELATED READING: The Best Way to Make Easy Sweater Pumpkins

Sweater Sleeve Gnome DIY

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’m working on creating as many cute crafts from a single thrift store sweater. Last week, I shared this easy DIY gnome wine sleeve bottle topper which only takes 10 minutes.

This week, however, we’re going to take it up a notch and create an adorable pudgy gnome that will draw all the oohs and ahhs. He’s so cute and doesn’t even need a gnome pattern!

Because this is an easy DIY and one that can be done all year round, he makes a good addition to a craft fair or booth at a market. Gnomes are still popular sellers throughout the year.

RELATED READING: Easy, 3-Minute Sock Gnomes (Dollar Tree Gnome)

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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RELATED READING: Easy Cone Gnome with a Sweater Gnome Hat

Tips for Making a Gnome With a Sweater

I’ve shared many ways to make a gnome hat from a sweater sleeve – this adorable sweater gnome hat is quite popular. Today, I wanted to share how to use the entire sleeve and not just the end. Keeping that in mind…

• The portion of the sleeve which meets the shoulder is going to be wider than the wrist so it will be the body.
• To ensure the measurements work, use about half of the sweater sleeve for the hat and the other portion for the body. You can always make the body smaller but never make the hat bigger.
• In order to cut faux fur into a gorgeous gnome beard, use a craft knife to score the fabric backing only. Watchi this short video on how to cut faux fur.
• If you would like to add a bendable hat to the top of the gnome, use wire in the hat but extend it into the body, as well. This will help keep it in place.
• While you can use rice or beans in the gnome body, I suggest you use something non-food related such as poly pellets (I use these for all of my gnomes).
• There are no legs and arms to my pudgy gnome, however, you can add them with fabric and tips from my YouTube channel.

Supplies Needed for a DIY Sweater Gnome

Below are the materials I used for this quick gnome craft idea. An alternative to the hand sewing is to use rubber bands WITH a string over them to secure, as the rubber will break down.

• cleaned thrift store sweater (mine is a medium)
• faux fur (I used a light brown, but any color will work)
• poly pellets for weight
• Poly-Fil for stuffing
• embroidery thread and a needle
• 1 inch wood round (or bead)
• 3 small wood beads
• twine

RELATED READING: DIY Gnome Using a Knitted Winter Hat

How to Make a Gnome Using a Sweater Sleeve

Below are the steps and images I made to create this adorable gnome using a thrift store sweater. Keep this page open and follow along, using the comments for any questions. For a printable version, scroll down.

If you are a visual learner, watch the Sweater Gnome video tutorial. Be sure to subscribe!

First, lay out the thrifted sweater and cut an arm off at the shoulder, including the under arm portion. Cut the sweater sleeve in half. My measurements were 8 inches for the body and hat portions.

Turn the portion for the body (the part which includes the under arm) inside out. Use an embroidery needle and thread with a running stitch 1/2 inch from the edge to close up the wider portion for the body of the gnome. Pull the threads tight to close and knot off.

NOTE: you may also close up the bottom with a rubber band, however, you will need to add string to secure. Note that this is not the most secure join and I recommend sewing.

Turn the body right sides out and repeat the running stitch for the top of the body. Fill with 1.5 cups of poly pellets and stuff the body with Poly-Fil until it bounces back to its original shape when squeezed.

Close up the top of the body and knot off.

Turn the hat inside out and hem the bottom portion (without the wrist band) about 1/2 inch up. Turn right sides out, add twine, and scrunch the top of the hat before securing and adding decorative beads.

Slip the hat onto the body to get an idea of the size of faux fur gnome beard. To cut faux fur, use the X-Acto knife on the fabric backing, pressing just enough to score the fabric.

Glue the fur gnome beard to the body. Split the faux fur to the fabric backing, add a generous portion of hot glue and attach the gnome nose. You’re done with this adorable pudgy gnome made with a sweater!

More Handmade Craft Ideas You Might Like

• Sweater Pumpkins – Learn how easy it is to make adorable pumpkins using a thrift store sweater.
• Sweater Gnome Bottle Topper – Save those coveted sleeves and learn how to make a gnome wine bottle cover using the BODY of a sweater.
• Fun Ugly Sweater Gnome DIY – He’ll be the life of the party.

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