This leprechaun gnome is the perfect decoration for St. Patrick’s Day. I used an old wine bottle and added a sock on the bottom, some wool roving and some cute accessories to transform him into a wee little Irish fellow. Make this leprechaun gnome with your kids and they’ll have fun learning about St. Patrick’s Day and recycling.
DIY Leprechaun Gnome
Hey Gnomies,
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up and it’s fun to celebrate and make Irish themed crafts with the kids. Last week I showed you how to make a crochet leprechaun-hat beer cozy. Obviously if you are making that craft with the kids you would use it on a bottle that is not full of alcohol, like a water or soda bottle instead.
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Today’s project is a twist on a DIY gnome I made during the holiday season. Those cute gnomes above were made with sand- filled socks and that tutorial continues to be one of my most read blog posts to date! Today’s project will show you a different method of making a cute Scandinavian gnome- except this time he’s an Irish leprechaun.
Supplies you may need for leprechaun gnome:
- wine bottle
- sock
- fabric
- wool roving
- wood bead
- yarn
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I found the leprechaun version of this craft easier than the other Christmas gnome. Using a wine bottle rather than a sand filled sock provided more stability. The nose is made from a wooden bead instead of a nylon filled with poly stuffing. The entire thing feels a little more secure.
What is a leprechaun anyways?
I think we are all familiar with leprechauns. If you are one of the 3 people on the planet who don’t know about them, here ya go:
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Leprechauns are a type of fairy, though it’s important to note that the fairies of Irish folklore were not cute pixies; they could be lustful, nasty, creatures whose magic might delight you one day and kill you the next if you displeased them (remember that old Leprechaun horror movie series?)
leprechaun legends can be traced back to eighth-century legends of water spirits called “luchorpán,” meaning “small body”. These sprites eventually merged with a mischievous household fairy said to haunt cellars and drink heavily.
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Other researchers say that the word leprechaun may be derived from the Irish leath bhrogan, meaning shoemaker. Indeed, though leprechauns are often associated with riches and gold, each leprechaun is said to have his own pot of gold, which can be found at the end of a rainbow.
According to Irish legends, people lucky enough to find a leprechaun and capture him can barter his freedom for his pot of gold. Leprechauns are usually said to be able to grant the person three wishes. But dealing with leprechauns can be a tricky proposition. They will do just about anything to trick their capture into letting them go- and if you take your eyes off them, even for a second, they are so quick they can vanish and never return.
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What is the difference between a leprechaun and a gnome?
While leprechauns are part of Irish folklore, gnomes are not. Gnomes don’t necessarily have a treasure that they are protecting and don’t have an obligation to anyone who captures them.
DIY Leprechaun Craft
This leprechaun is make out of an old wine bottle that is covered with a sock, some wool roving and other accessories. Check out the full tutorial in the instruction card below.
Leprechaun Gnome
Materials
- Wine bottle
- Sock
- Wood bead
- Orange wool roving
- Green fabric
- Green yarn
- shamrock applique
Tools
- scissors
- hot glue gun
Instructions
- Cut the top of the sock off and slip it onto the bottom of the bottle. Glue it in place but leave a couple inches at the top loose.
- Cut three pieces of the wool roving tuck them under the sock. Roll the top over to keep it secure. Use hot glue to keep everything in place.
- Make a hat out of the green fabric. Cut a large triangle and glue or sew it together.
- Slide the hat over the bottle. Glue into place.
- Glue a wood bead on top of the leprechaun's hair.
- Make a pom pom out of green yarn and glue it to the top of the hat.
- Glue on a foam shamrock.
What do you think of my little leprechaun? Let me know in the comments below!
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