Welcome back! Did you watch the 4 NFL playoff games this weekend? If not, you missed out on some exciting football. Three upsets of #1 and #2 seeds, four close games that were won on the last play of the game, snow in Lambeau, and a high scoring shoot out that went into overtime!

I have to admit that I’m still pretty down about the Green Bay Packers loss to the 49ers, but at the end of the day, it’s just a game that I’m supposed to be watching for entertainment (and not take so seriously)! I’m still working on the “not so seriously” part.

But the season isn’t over yet! Fans of the Bengals, Chiefs, Fourty-Niners and Rams are gearing up for the Conference championships this coming weekend. And all of us who are football fans are looking forward to the Super Bowl on February 13th.

So let’s look at some fun, DIY decorations that would be great for your game watching parties! These Mini Yarn Hats look adorable sitting on your mantel, bookshelves or snack table. Or you can make a bunch to string up as a garland!

I made mine in my favorite football team colors, but wouldn’t they also be great for a hockey themed birthday party? Or in red, white and blue for watching the winter Olympics that start next week?

And after the game? Pack them with your Christmas decorations, because they make super cute gift toppers or tree ornaments!

Ready to get started?

Let’s begin with gathering your supplies:

  • cardboard rolls from toilet paper or kitchen paper towels
  • yarn in your choice of colors (see notes below)
  • sharp scissors
  • ruler OR hardcover book
  • cotton balls or tissue paper

Yarn Notes: You can probably find thin yarn at the dollar store. It works great, but you’ll just need to cut more pieces of yarn for each hat. Thicker yarn can be found at a craft store, and will give the hat a little more “knit” look, and makes a fluffier pompom on the top of the hat.

Step 1 – Cut the cardboard roll

Start by cutting the paper towel or toilet paper roll into pieces the size of the cuff you’d like on the hats, about 1″ in height.

Fold the rolls just enough to cut with the scissors. Then bend each ring back into a round shape.

Step 2 – Cut yarn into pieces

You’ll need plenty of yarn pieces, all about 10” long.

You can use a ruler to measure, but I found that wrapping the yarn around a 10” tall hardcover book made this process a lot quicker, because you can cut a bunch all at the same time (if your book is a little taller, that’s okay, but don’t use one that’s shorter than 10”).

Wrap the yarn loosely around the book 15-20 times. Then carefully cut through the middle of the yarn at the top of the book. Repeat on the other side.

You can easily cut more pieces later, if need them.

Step 3 – Attach Yarn to Cardboard Ring

Grab the middle of a piece of yarn and pull the loop through the ring, leaving the ends on the other side

Grab the ends, fold them over the ring, and pull them through the yarn loop. Pull until the knot is snug against the ring.

Repeat, making sure all your loops are in the same direction, until you have the entire cardboard ring covered with yarn.

Step 4 – Finish the hat

Push the ends through the inside of the ring to the other side. Use your fingers to gently push all the knots into the inside of the ring as well.

Gather the yarn ends and tie them tight with a piece of yarn, about halfway between the hat cuff and the loose yarn ends.

Give the yarn ends a trim to shape them into a pompom. You can use your fingers to gently unravel the ends of the yarn to create a fluffier pompom (I did this on the striped sample).

To give your hat more structure and get the nice puffy hat shape, stuff a cotton ball inside the hat (or roll a piece of tissue paper into a ball).

And there you have it! A cute little winter hat decoration!

I made 1 in each color, and 1 with stripes, just to get started. But I plan to make a bunch more, to add to my Green Bay Packers themed Christmas tree in December.

And maybe a garland to hang from the fireplace mantel.

How about you? Are you going to give these a try? I’d love to hear from you!

I’ll be back next week, with some yummy game day snacks to help you start preparing your menu for the big game!

Carrie

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