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Halloween Witch Gnome Craft

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This Halloween Witch Gnome Craft is a spooky and fun project to make with the kids this fall!

Transform simple dollar store supplies into a whimsical witch gnome—complete with a pointy hat, colorful mop beard, and a little magical charm! This easy Halloween craft is great for family crafting time, classroom fun, or adding a handmade touch to your seasonal décor.

Create this Halloween Witch Gnome Craft in just 30 minutes—kids will love helping paint, glue, and decorate their spooky new friend!
Jump to Tutorial Card
Handmade Halloween witch gnome craft made from orange mop strings for the beard, a green wooden bead for the nose, and a black craft stick witch hat decorated with a purple gingham ribbon and yellow foam buckle. The gnome is displayed on a rustic wooden background with a small green pumpkin and hay bale nearby.
Handmade Halloween witch gnome craft made from orange mop strings for the beard, a green wooden bead for the nose, and a black craft stick witch hat decorated with a purple gingham ribbon and yellow foam buckle. The gnome is displayed on a rustic wooden background with a small green pumpkin and hay bale nearby.

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Why You’ll Love This Halloween Witch Gnome Craft

If you’re looking for a quick and budget-friendly Halloween craft, this witch gnome is perfect! Using just a mop head, craft sticks, paint, and a few embellishments, you can make a festive gnome that looks like it came straight from a witch’s workshop!

This project is simple enough for kids (with a little supervision), and it’s a fun way to get everyone into the Halloween spirit. Plus, you can easily swap colors and ribbons to make each witch gnome unique—why not try green or purple beards for a twist?

Gnomes have become a beloved part of seasonal décor, and this Halloween version is a must-have addition to your collection. Place it on your mantel, bookshelf, or even use it as a centerpiece for your Halloween party!

Craft Supplies for the Witch Gnome

The materials and tools needed for this project are linked on Amazon below for your convenience. The quantities are on the craft tutorial card at the end of this post.

  • Jumbo Craft Sticks—These (approx.) 6″/15cm long sticks form the witch gnome’s hat.
  • Cotton Mop Head—You will need around 30 strings from the mop to create a beard.
  • Wooden Ball or Bead—You will need a 1″ (2.5cm) one to create a nose.
  • Yellow Craft Foam—Used to create the buckle for the hat. You can also use yellow cardstock.
  • Ribbon—For the witch’s hat band. We used purple gingham, but you can use any color/pattern you like.
  • Acrylic Craft Paints—We used muted light green for the nose, black for the hat, and orange for the hair, but feel free to use any colors you prefer.
  • Glue Gun and Glue Sticks—If crafting with kids, opt for a low-temp glue gun for added safety. Hot glue works best, but liquid craft glue can be used if you allow extra drying time.
  • Aluminum Foil—For drying the painted mop strings.
  • Large (Gallon) Zipper Bag – for coloring the mop strings with paint.
  • Scissors
  • Paintbrush
  • Free Printable Hat Buckle Template—Click to download the PDF (opens in new tab), which you can print on US Letter or A4 paper sizes.

Cheap Craft Supplies

This is a budget-friendly craft you can make with supplies you may already have at home or pick up cheaply in stores. In the USA, try Dollar Tree; in the UK, check Poundland, The Range, Wilko, or Baker Ross. And wherever you are in the world, hunt down your local bargain shops for affordable craft finds!

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Craft Supplies for Halloween Witch Gnome

Crafty October 2025

Each year since 2012, I’ve celebrated Crafty October here on The Purple Pumpkin Blog—a long-running tradition filled with Halloween recipes, crafts, and printables. While I’m not running it as an official series anymore, Halloween is NOT going anywhere! Consider this witch gnome craft (and all my future Halloween posts) part of that more-than-a-decade-long celebration!

How Do I Make a Witch Gnome for Halloween?

You’ll find the printable tutorial card below the step-by-step images for this Halloween craft—use them as a visual guide while making your witch gnome.

Witch Gnome Craft: Step-by-Step

White cotton mop head being cut apart with orange-handled scissors, with loose mop strings scattered on a rustic wooden surface.
1. Cut Mop Strings
White mop strings placed in a clear zipper bag with orange acrylic paint drizzled on top, bottle of orange paint shown in front on a rustic wooden surface.
2, Add Paint to Bag
White cotton mop strings inside a clear zipper bag being coated with orange acrylic paint, with a bottle of orange paint placed beside the bag on a rustic wooden surface.
3. Dye Strings Orange
Orange-painted cotton mop strings laid out in rows on a sheet of aluminum foil to dry, placed on a rustic wooden surface.
4. Lay Strings to Dry
Craft sticks arranged in a triangle shape to form the base of a witch hat, with a hot glue gun placed beside them on a rustic wooden surface.
5. Glue Hat Base
Wooden craft sticks glued together in a triangular hat shape being trimmed with orange-handled scissors on a rustic wooden background.
6. Trim Hat Shape
Completed craft stick witch hat with a brim glued across the bottom, with a hot glue gun resting beside it on a rustic wooden surface.
7. Add Hat Brim
Wooden craft stick witch hat painted black, shown alongside a bottle of black acrylic paint and a paintbrush on a rustic wooden surface.
8. Paint Hat Black
Wooden bead painted light green to use as the witch gnome’s nose, shown with a bottle of green acrylic paint and a paintbrush on a rustic wooden surface.
9. Paint Nose Green
Orange mop strings glued in a row along the brim of a wooden craft stick witch hat, with a hot glue gun placed beside the project.
10. Glue First Beard Layer
Additional orange mop strings being glued as a second layer onto the brim of a wooden craft stick witch hat, with a hot glue gun resting on the side.
11. Glue Second Beard Layer
Green painted wooden bead glued under the brim of a black craft stick witch hat to create the witch gnome’s nose, with a hot glue gun placed beside the project.
12. Attach Nose Bead
Purple gingham ribbon being glued around the base of a black craft stick witch hat as a hat band, with the green nose bead already attached and a hot glue gun resting beside it.
13. Add Ribbon Band
Yellow craft foam square being cut with orange-handled scissors to make a buckle for the witch hat, shown on a rustic wooden surface.
14. Cut Foam Buckle
Yellow craft foam buckle glued to the center of a purple gingham ribbon on the black craft stick witch hat, with orange mop beard and green nose, hot glue gun placed nearby.
15. Glue Buckle On
Handmade Halloween witch gnome craft made from orange mop strings for the beard, a green wooden bead for the nose, and a black craft stick witch hat decorated with a purple gingham ribbon and yellow foam buckle. The gnome is displayed on a rustic wooden background with a small green pumpkin and hay bale nearby.

Halloween Witch Gnome

Michelle Ordever
Create this Halloween Witch Gnome Craft in just 30 minutes—kids will love helping paint, glue, and decorate their spooky new friend!
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Print Tutorial Pin Tutorial
Active Time 30 minutes
Project Craft
Holiday Halloween
Makes 1 Witch Gnome
Difficulty Easy

Materials

TOOLS

Instructions
 

  • Cut about 30 mop head strings and dampen them. Place them in a zipper bag.
  • Dye by adding orange acrylic paint to the bag, squishing it until the strings are coated. Lay on aluminum foil to dry.
  • Build the witch hat: form an upside-down “V” with two jumbo craft sticks, glue in place, then add more sticks to fill the hat shape. Trim and add a brim.
  • Paint the hat black. Apply a second coat if needed.
  • Paint the wooden bead light green. Let dry.
  • Glue 15 mop strings along the hat brim. Layer another 15 strings for fullness.
  • Attach the bead nose under the hat brim, centered.
  • Wrap purple ribbon around the hat for the band. Glue in place.
  • Cut a buckle shape from yellow craft foam (using the free printable template as a guide) and glue it to the hat band.
  • When dry, your Halloween Witch Gnome is ready to display!
    Handmade Halloween witch gnome craft made from orange mop strings for the beard, a green wooden bead for the nose, and a black craft stick witch hat decorated with a purple gingham ribbon and yellow foam buckle. The gnome is displayed on a rustic wooden background with a small green pumpkin and hay bale nearby.

Notes

Handy Tips & More Ideas

  • Pre-Paint the Hat and Nose—If crafting with kids or a group, paint the craft sticks black and the bead green in advance so they’re dry and ready to assemble.
  • Safer Glue Option—Swap the hot glue gun for liquid craft glue when working with younger children. It takes longer to dry, but it avoids burns.
  • Try Different Beards—Instead of orange mop strings, use yarn, raffia, or even faux fur for a different look. Purple, green, or black yarn makes a spooky twist!
  • Add Extra Details—Embellish the hat with glitter, stickers, or Halloween-themed charms for a unique touch. You could also use glow-in-the-dark paint for a fun nighttime effect.
  • Customize the Hat Band—Change up the ribbon to black and orange stripes, sparkly purple, or even Halloween ribbon with bats or pumpkins, which would all look amazing.
  • Make a Gnome Family—Vary the beard colors and hat decorations to create a whole set of Halloween gnomes to display together.
  • Seal for Durability—If you’ll display your witch gnome year after year, coat the hat with Mod Podge or spray sealant to protect the paint.
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More Halloween Crafts To Try!

If you’re looking for even more spooky inspiration after making your witch gnome, check out these fun Halloween crafts too:

Or take a look at our full collection of awesome Halloween Crafts.

Ready to Make Your Halloween Witch Gnome Craft?

This quirky little gnome is such a fun way to bring handmade charm to spooky season! Whether you craft it with kids, use it as a classroom project, or display it on your mantel, it’s sure to become a favorite part of your Halloween décor.

Since 2012, I’ve shared Halloween ideas here on The Purple Pumpkin Blog through my Crafty October series—and while I don’t run it officially anymore, every new Halloween post (like this gnome!) is part of that long-running tradition.

So grab your glue gun and get creative—your witch gnome is waiting! And if you’re looking for even more inspiration, check out my collection of Halloween Crafts to keep the spooky fun going!

▼ Pin This Craft to Pinterest ▼

Handmade Halloween witch gnome craft made from orange mop strings for the beard, a green wooden bead for the nose, and a black craft stick witch hat decorated with a purple gingham ribbon and yellow foam buckle. The gnome is displayed on a rustic wooden background with a small green pumpkin and hay bale nearby. Text overlay says: Gnome Witch Craft with a Mop Head!

This post is part of my long-running Crafty October series on The Purple Pumpkin Blog. Since 2012, I’ve shared Halloween recipes, printables, and crafts every October. While I don’t officially run the series anymore, all my new Halloween posts are still part of this decades-long celebration of spooky fun! Browse past Crafty October years for even more inspiration: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

Crafty October on The Purple Pumpkin Blog

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Michelle Ordever

Michelle lives in London with her husband, son, and cat named Pumpkin. She started The Purple Pumpkin Blog in 2011 and the idea behind the blog is simple - Cook, Create, Celebrate! Michelle shares delicious recipes and creative ideas for all seasons, holidays, parties, & Disney! She thinks up the ideas so you don’t have to!

→ Michelle Ordever

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