If you've been looking for a cozy craft project, these yarn ornament hats are probably the most satisfying thing you can make with just a few scraps of string and some old cardboard. You don't need to know how to knit or crochet to pull these off, which is a huge win for those of us who are a bit "craft-challenged" but still want that handmade look on the Christmas tree. They look exactly like tiny little beanies, complete with a fluffy pom-pom on top, and they're honestly a bit addictive once you get the rhythm down.
I first stumbled across these a few years ago when I had a mountain of leftover yarn from a failed scarf project. I didn't want to throw the yarn away, but I also didn't have enough to actually make anything useful. These little hats are the perfect "scrap buster." You can use almost any type of yarn, and they take about ten to fifteen minutes each once you know what you're doing. Plus, they make your tree look like it's dressed for a tiny winter vacation.
What You'll Need to Get Started
One of the best parts about making yarn ornament hats is that you likely already have everything you need sitting around your house. You don't have to make a special trip to the craft store unless you're really picky about a specific color of yarn.
Here's the basic list: * Cardboard tubes: Empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls work perfectly. * Yarn: Any weight works, but worsted weight (the standard stuff) is the easiest to handle. * Sharp scissors: You'll be doing a lot of cutting, so make sure they're decent. * A ruler: Or you can just eyeball it if you're feeling brave. * Some twine or extra yarn: To hang the finished product.
If you have kids, this is a great project for them too. It's mostly just looping and pulling, so as long as they can handle scissors (or you do the cutting for them), they can definitely help out.
Prepping Your Materials
Before you dive in, you've got to do a little bit of prep work. Take your cardboard tube and cut it into rings. I usually aim for about half an inch wide. If you make them too wide, the hat looks a bit long and awkward; if you make them too thin, the cardboard might buckle when you're pulling the yarn tight.
Next, you'll want to cut your yarn into strips. For a standard-sized toilet paper roll ring, I usually cut my yarn into pieces about 10 to 12 inches long. You'll need a lot of them—usually around 30 to 40 per hat, depending on how thick your yarn is. It's a good idea to cut a bunch at once so you don't have to stop and start. I usually wrap the yarn around a piece of cardboard that's about 5 or 6 inches wide and then cut both ends to get a bunch of even strips quickly.
How to Assemble Your Mini Hats
Now for the actual "knitting" part—which, again, isn't actually knitting. Take one of your yarn strips and fold it in half so you have a loop at one end. Poke that loop through the center of your cardboard ring. Then, grab the two loose ends of the yarn, bring them over the edge of the ring, and pull them through the loop.
This is called a lark's head knot. Pull it tight so the knot sits snugly against the cardboard. Now, you just repeat that over and over again. You want to slide the knots close together as you go so that none of the brown cardboard is peeking through.
The Inversion Trick
Once your ring is completely covered in yarn and looks like some kind of weird, hairy octopus, it's time for the secret move. Right now, all the loose ends are hanging off the edge of the ring. You want to take those ends and push them all the way through the center of the ring to the other side.
This does two things: it hides the "messy" side of the knots inside the hat, and it gives the brim that nice, rounded look you see on real winter hats. Straighten out the strands with your fingers so they aren't all tangled up.
Creating the Pom-Pom
Gather all those loose ends together at the top. Take a separate piece of yarn and tie it tightly around the bunch, maybe an inch or so above the brim. Knot it really well because this is what holds the whole hat together.
Now you'll have a big explosion of yarn sticking out the top. Grab your scissors and give the hat a "haircut." Trim the excess yarn down into a neat, round pom-pom shape. This part is strangely therapeutic, but be careful not to cut too close to the tie-off point, or your hat might fall apart.
Customizing Your Yarn Ornament Hats
Once you've mastered the basic version, you can start getting fancy. The beauty of yarn ornament hats is that they can look totally different depending on the materials you use.
- Multi-colored hats: Try alternating two different colors of yarn as you loop them around the ring. You'll end up with a striped pattern that looks super professional.
- Textured yarn: If you use "fuzzy" or "eyelash" yarn, the pom-pom will look extra fluffy. Just be warned that textured yarn can be a bit more finicky to knot.
- The slouchy look: If you cut your cardboard ring a bit narrower and leave the yarn longer before tying it off, you can create a "slouchy" beanie style.
- Adding some bling: I've seen people glue tiny rhinestones or little bells onto the brim. You could even use a bit of white fabric paint to create a "snowy" effect on the tips of the pom-poms.
Beyond the Christmas Tree
While these are obviously great for the tree, don't feel like you have to stop there. I've found a ton of other ways to use these throughout the winter.
Gift Toppers: Instead of a plastic bow, tape one of these onto a wrapped present. It adds a personal touch that people really seem to appreciate. Wine Bottle Decor: If you're bringing a bottle of wine to a holiday party, pop a tiny hat on the cork. It's hilarious and cute, and it instantly makes the gift feel more festive. Garlands: String a dozen or so of these onto a long piece of twine and hang it over a mantle or a doorway. Advent Calendars: If you make 24 of them, you can hide a little piece of candy under each one for a DIY advent calendar.
A Few Tips for Success
If you're finding that your yarn ornament hats are looking a little bit "wonky," here are a couple of things I've learned the hard way. First, don't pull the yarn too tight. If you do, you'll actually crush the cardboard ring, and your hat will end up looking more like an oval than a circle.
Second, make sure your scissors are sharp. Trying to trim a pom-pom with dull scissors is an exercise in frustration. You'll end up with jagged edges, and the pom-pom will look more like a sad little shrub than a fluffy ball.
Lastly, don't worry if they aren't perfect. The whole charm of handmade ornaments is that they have a bit of character. Some might be a little taller, some might have bigger pom-poms, but when they're all hanging together, they look great.
Wrapping Things Up
At the end of the day, making yarn ornament hats is just a really low-stress way to get into the holiday spirit. It's the kind of craft you can do while you're half-watching a movie or chatting with friends. There's something really nice about taking "trash" like a toilet paper roll and turning it into something that looks like it came out of a high-end boutique.
So, go raid your craft closet, find some yarn that's been sitting there for three years, and start looping. Your tree will thank you, and you'll have a fun, cozy way to spend a chilly afternoon. Happy crafting!