I can’t get over how adorable this woodland gnome is. It’s such an easy rustic gnome tutorial, too. You’re going to love making it–and having it!

Woodland Gnome

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we are just about experts at how to make a gnome, given that there’s about a million of these ideas not only floating around in my head, but also because I have made a TON. Seriously, I love making gnomes. Particularly, I love this rustic gnome because he’s SO EASY–even though he looks so complex.

I love tomten like that. When they’re kind of cleverly decorated to look more complex than they really are, it’s like winning the lottery–well, maybe not that exciting. But close.

Like when a skirt has pockets. That’s how it feels to make a gnome that’s made to look much harder than it is.

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If you’re ready to make a rustic woodland gnome that looks way more complex than it really is, let’s get started.

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sweater sleeve gnome tutorial with text which reds woodland gnome

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Tips to Make a Rustic Gnome

First, don’t panic if you don’t have an old sweater to make this upcycled sweater gnome. You can pick one up at the thrift store for SUPER cheap.
I would like to point out that the base of this rustic farmhouse gnome is one of the easiest nisser you can make. It’s actually a sock gnome. All the details of this nisse are what really make it pop.
Decorating this little tomte is a lot easier than he looks. So, don’t panic. Hot glue, a button and some raffia and your little details are done. And, because this is made from a sweater sleeve, it’s actually a LOT easier than some of the cone-hat gnomes I usually make.
No Spanish moss hanging in your trees? Oh, that’s fine! I didn’t have any either–it’s no big deal. I found a good deal on Spanish moss so I got enough for several little tomten.

closeup of Woodland Gnome with Spanish Moss beard S

How Do I Make this Woodland Gnome?

I’m so glad you asked. Below is our written tutorial.

Yield: 1

Woodland Gnome

This rustic farmhouse gnome is absolutely stunning. Perfect winter decorations or even rustic Christmas decor. I just can't get enough of that upcycled sweater gnome hat!

Active Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $5

Materials

3-4 cups white rice
Small clear rubber bands
Spanish moss, one package
Wood buttons
Pink lipstick
White, black or light colored felt (will use half of this)
Floral foam cone
Multicolor adult super soft socks, gray, black, and white
White Kid's quarter sock
Sleeve of old sweater
Twine
Dark brown raffia

Tools

Scissors
Hot glue gun and hot glue

Instructions

Fill white kid's quarter sock full of rice by scooping it in and smooshing down to get the rice as full as possible. Fill up to the sock band.
Use the heal side for the face. Using your fingers, form a sizable nose out of the heal.
Take 2 tiny clear rubber bands and use 1 to secure the nose, wrap twice if you can. Use the other to secure the top of the sock, wrap twice.
Fit the multicolor soft sock over the white sock body.
Using scissors or a knife, hollow out the bottom of the foam cone to fit over the white sock and rest on the gnome head in the shape you would like. Fit one of the red soft socks over the foam cone.
Prepare the beard by cutting a piece of felt in the shape of the beard you want. Hold the felt up to the nose and trace a small circular cutout for the nose.
To create the beard “hair”, use a hot glue gun to glue clumps of the spanish moss to the felt. This can be trimmed along the edges to form when finished. To create a more fluffy beard, separate the strands of the moss to make as much fluff as you desire.
Cover the foam cone with a sweater long enough to make a generous cuff around the base of the hat. Secure the top with a small rubber band and trim to get a hat top appearance.
To secure the gnome even more and in case a rubber band breaks, wrap twine or yarn tightly around the nose and top of the head as knot tightly.
Trim the top of the white sock down.
Carefully glue the spanish moss beard to the gnome face, just up and under the nose and pulling as high as you can because we want the hat to fit snuggly up agains the beard.
Pull the multicolor sock up to the top of the body and glue around the top of the head.
Hot glue the sweater covered foam cone to the top of the gnome head by putting the glue on the gnome head. Be generous with the amount of glue. Hold the form down firmly until it sets.
Decorate the hat the dark brown raffia by wrapping it around and criss-crossing. Hot glue raffia into place under the cuff of the hat.
Glue a wooden buttons to the hat or use another embellishment of choice, such as, raffia tied in a bow.
Make the gnomes nose a pink color by wiping some bright pink lipstick onto the nose fabric. Putting the lipstick on your fingers first to then wipe on the nose is a helpful tip.

Notes

For more fun gnome tutorials you'll love, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots!

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How to Make a Woodland Gnome – a Rustic Gnome Tutorial

Woodland Gnome

No Time to Make This Now? Pin it for Later

Tips to Make a Rustic Gnome

How Do I Make this Woodland Gnome?