DIY Ornaments: Tiny Yarn Hats

This is Part Two in our quest for a Crafty Colorful Christmas. You can see the clay gingerbread men ornaments we made last week here.

When thinking about what else we could add to our tree this year, I immediately knew I wanted to incorporate yarn somehow. Partly because of the color and texture it would add -- but mostly, because I have a ton of it for my weavings.

What could be cuter and cozier than tiny yarn hats?? Done!

They're very easy to make -- my five-year-old son was able to help me.

Also, it's a versatile project: I made ornaments, but these tiny hats could easily make an adorable garland, cute gift toppers...or throw them in a jar as holiday decoration and call it a day!

Bonus: this is a cheap DIY. If you make all your hats the same color, you only need one or two skeins of yarn and some empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls. 

First, I cut a flap off a cardboard box to make my yarn cutting easier. I trimmed it to approximately 7" long so after wrapping my yarn around and around...

...then snipping at one end...

...I was left with strands about 14-15" long.

Next, I cut a ring from the empty cardboard roll about one inch tall.

i looped my strands around the ring, one by one.

I continued looping...

...until I made it completely around the ring.

It looks like a jellyfish!

Next, I pushed the long strands inward through the ring:

I used one more strand of yarn to tie the loose ends together, about yay high above the tube:

Once tied, I trimmed the top to become the hat's pouf.

Repeat as needed.

You can leave one strand long and tie a loop to hang it -- or use an ornament hook, as I did.