Take The 20 Minute Gnome Challenge With Me

CLICK TO GO STRAIGHT TO VIDEO TUTORIAL AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

I decided to set myself a challenge to create the quickest and easiest needle felted gnome in just 20 minutes. If it sounds simple enough, that’s because it really is and I thought it would be a great way to show just how easy it can be to make a charming, mini Nordic gnome in no time at all. The best part… It’s a project that anyone can do, even if you’ve never tried felting before.

This little gnome is not only quick to make, but it’s also perfect for those new to needle felting, or anyone looking to make easy needle felted Christmas decorations. It’s a simple needle felting project with minimal steps, which means there’s less chance of feeling overwhelmed. And once you see how easy it is, you’ll be hooked on making more to add to your Christmas decorations or to give as special handmade gifts.

Three felt gnomes with colorful hats—red, blue, and pink—sit on a table. Easy needle-felted Christmas decorations, they bring festive cheer to the cozy room enhanced by softly lit decor. Nearby, two felting needles stand upright, ready for crafting adventures.
Hands gently holding a small felt gnome with a white beard and a tall red hat. The gnome is nestled within the palms, and the person is wearing a purple shirt and silver rings.

Always On Trend

Miniature gnomes are a wonderful way to add a touch of handmade charm to your Christmas decor and they never go out of fashion. Their simple yet quirky design makes them perfect for decorating your home, hanging on the tree, or even for use as little gift tags or place settings. This quick and easy needle felted gnome can be used in a variety of ways around the festive season, and best of all, it doesn’t take hours to create.

Whether you’re looking to add some personal touches to your handmade Christmas garlands, or you’re looking for stocking fillers, this mini gnome is the ideal project. With just a few materials and a bit of practice, you can create a whole family of gnomes to spread a bit of handmade joy throughout your home.

A flat needle felting kit featuring a plush sheep face, wool in red, white, and brown, two felting needles, a soft base, and a figure wearing a blue dress. There is also some grey wool on the side.

Perfect for Beginners

If you’re nervous about starting needle felting, this project is for you. It’s designed to be simple and beginner-friendly. I’ve broken it down step by step in the video tutorial, so you don’t need to worry about getting things just right. The idea is to make something quick and fun, with no pressure to be perfect.

Hands work on a wool felting project, surrounded by colorful wool, a sheep plushie, and a doll. A felting needle is being used on a white pad.

Needle felting is all about shaping wool fibres using a special barbed needle. It’s a bit like sculpting with wool – the more you poke, the firmer the wool becomes, and the clearer your shape takes form. This mini gnome project is ideal because it uses basic techniques and doesn’t require any advanced skills.

The video tutorial will guide you through the process, so you can follow along and make your very own gnome. You’ll get the chance to practice the basic felting technique, and before you know it, you’ll have a lovely little gnome to add to your festive decorations.

Hands holding a small piece of wool for needle felting. A lamb plush and needle felting tools are arranged nearby on a table.

What You’ll Need

Before you start, gather your materials. You don’t need a huge amount of supplies for this project:

  • Needle Felting Wool – A small amount of wool in your preferred seasonal colours.
  • Felting Needle – A medium gauge needle is perfect for this size of project.
  • Felting Surface – Any needle felting mat is suitable.
  • Finger Guards – Leather guards offer the best protection whilst still allowing freedom of movement.

That’s all you need to get started and ready to make these quick and easy needle felted mini gnomes. The video tutorial will take you through each step, so you’ll be able to get going without worrying about any complicated techniques.

Hands using a felting needle to create a red square design on white felt, surrounded by colorful felt dolls and materials on a table.
A person is needle felting a red triangular shape onto white felt, framed by a brown felt border. Two handmade plush dolls with soft expressions are at the top. A blue fairy doll and a lamb lie on a white surface.

Decor Ideas

Once you’ve made your gnome, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few ideas for how to use your new creation:

  • Christmas Tree Ornaments – These mini gnomes are the perfect size for hanging on your tree. Simply add a loop of thread to the top, and they’ll make a lovely addition to your decorations.
Hands needle felting red wool on a brown foam pad. Two plush characters, a sheep and a blue-winged figure, are visible in the background.
  • Handmade Gift Tags – Attach your little gnome to a present for a unique and personal gift tag. It adds a handmade touch that’s perfect for the festive season.
  • Stocking Fillers – These tiny gnomes fit perfectly into Christmas stockings and make a lovely surprise for anyone.
  • Table Place Settings – Add a gnome to your Christmas dinner table as a cute place setting or just a small table decoration.
  • Christmas Garlands – String your gnomes along with other handmade decorations to create a festive garland. It’s an easy way to add a personal touch to your home.
Hands are needle felting a small figure with a red pointed hat and a beige face on a white cushion. Various felting materials are visible in the background.

The mini gnome is small, simple, and adaptable. You can customise them however you like – change the colours, add tiny accessories, or make them into little sets.

Why This Project is So Quick and Easy

The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity. There’s no need to spend hours on complicated techniques. The steps are straightforward and can be completed in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for those who want to squeeze a bit of crafting into a busy day.

Needle felting doesn’t have to be a slow, meticulous process. Once you’ve got the basics down, you’ll find that it’s easy to create the gnome’s shape quickly. If you’re feeling a bit unsure, take your time. The wool can be reworked and reshaped as you go, so there’s no need to rush.

Two hands are needle felting a small figure with a red hat and gray beard, resembling a gnome, on a white felt surface. Surrounding the scene are woolen dolls and materials.

By the end of the tutorial, you’ll have a complete mini gnome that’s ready to be used in your Christmas decor. It’s a simple way to create something with a personal touch, and it’s a satisfying, relaxing activity to do while preparing for the festive season.

Building Your Needle Felting Confidence

Once you have found your needle felting feet you can then challenge yourself a little more. The gnome possibilities are endless and with a little time and practice you will find your confidence growing really quickly.

Close-up of three handcrafted gnome figurines with fuzzy beards and tall, pointed hats in various colors. The primary gnome in the foreground has a blue hat and a beige, curly beard, while the two in the background have green and blue hats. All are set against a light background.

Needle Felting Patterns

I have created an inspiring range of Christmas NEEDLE FELTING PATTERNS ready to be downloaded instantly. They are available as complete step by step patterns and detailed photographs and can be downloaded via the website.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to make your own mini gnome, all you need to do is click on the video tutorial below and start felting along with me. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s the perfect way to add a handmade touch to your Christmas celebrations. I’d love to hear how you get on, so feel free to share your results or any questions you might have along the way.

A teal felt gnome with a long white beard and a curved teal hat facing a glass dome with a similar gnome inside, both illuminated by tiny lights, against a pink and wooden background. This is part of the easy needle felted mini gnomes project.

Let’s get crafting, and in just 20 minutes, you’ll have your very own Nordic gnome to enjoy this Christmas!

Video Tutorial 1 – Time Lapse

Video Tutorial 2 – Take The 20 Minute Challenge

Needle felt along with me in real time and create pint size projects you can whip up in no time!

More Christmas Crafts You Will Love!

Making your own felted decorations has never been easy with these inspiring Christmas needle felting projects. From fairy tree toppers, to Percy penguin there is no shortage of seasonal inspiration for you right here on the blog. So, grab your needles and settle down for some Christmas creativity!

Three whimsical, handmade gnome figures with oversized orange and multicolored pointy hats and fluffy gray beards, arranged in descending size against a white background.
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