Photo by Jamie Plain
When the temperatures drop and the kids are stuck inside, there’s something magical about pulling out a pile of yarn, turning on a movie, and creating something together. This simple winter craft turns leftover yarn into tiny, adorable hats that look like they belong on the heads of snowmen and woodland creatures. String them together, hang them across your mantel or a window, and you’ll have a winter decoration that’s cozy, colorful, and made with love (and little fingers).
What You’ll Need:
›› Empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls (cut into 1-inch rings)
›› Yarn (any colors — the more variety, the better!)
›› Scissors
›› Ruler
›› Pencil or pen (to help shape the top)
›› Twine or ribbon (if making a garland)
Instructions:
Cut Your Rings
Cut your toilet paper rolls into 1-inch-wide rings. Each ring will become one tiny hat brim.
Prep the Yarn
Cut your yarn into strands about 10–12 inches long. You’ll need around 30–40 strands per hat, depending on the thickness of your yarn.
Loop It Through
Take one piece of yarn, fold it in half, and place the loop end through the cardboard ring. Then pull the two loose ends through the loop and tighten. (This is called a lark’s head knot — but your kids will just call it “fun!”) Continue looping yarn pieces all the way around until the ring is fully covered and fluffy.
Shape the Top
Once the ring is covered, push all the loose yarn ends through the center of the ring so they come out the other side — this forms the top of your hat. Gather the ends together and tie a small piece of yarn around them about 1 inch above the ring to create the pom-pom top.
Trim & Fluff
Give your little hat a haircut! Trim the ends to make a neat pom-pom.
Make It a Garland (optional but adorable) – Once you’ve made a bunch of tiny hats, string them onto twine or ribbon to make a garland. Hang it on the mantel, across a mirror, or in your child’s room for instant winter cheer!
Fun Twist:
Let each family member pick their “signature hat color.” Then, when you string them together, you’ll have a garland that represents everyone in the family — even the dog can get a color!
There’s something special about crafts like this — they’re simple, a little bit silly, and they bring everyone together on a cold day. Whether you’re sipping cocoa or watching snow fall outside, these tiny hats will remind you that the best winter decorations are the ones you make together.
