Make Your Own Yarn Trees for Cozy, Budget-Friendly Christmas Decor -

A white brick fireplace decorated with cone-shaped trees, candles, pinecones, and cream-colored garland. Above the mantel hangs a painting of a snowy landscape with a river, pine trees, and a white cabin.

It’s no secret that I love crafting, and Christmas is one of the best times to get creative. When it comes to holiday decorating, there’s truly no better way than handmade decorations. I especially love rummaging through my décor stash to see what I can create with items I already have on hand. Since I’m changing up my color scheme a bit this year, it’s much more budget friendly (and fun!) to make my own decorations and ornaments. It’s shaping up to be a busy crafting season—and these yarn trees are at the top of my list.

I had so much yarn left from my fall yarn pumpkins, and since most of the colors fit perfectly into my new Christmas color palette, these yarn cone trees instantly came to mind. I’ve used inexpensive cardboard and styrofoam cones for so many projects over the years—from painting to wrapping with velvet ribbon to adding a metallic gold finish—and they always turn out to be gorgeous statement pieces.

This year, I decided to use them as the base for my DIY yarn Christmas trees, and I absolutely love the cozy texture they add. The best part? Each one costs less than ten dollars to make and even less if you’re reusing leftover yarn. These little trees are the perfect project for filling your mantel, tabletop, or shelf with charm and warmth during the holiday season.

A tall green cone-shaped decoration, a brass candle holder with a lit white candle, paper leaves made from book pages, and a weathered white column against a white brick wall.

A ball of thick white yarn, a pair of gold-handled scissors, and a brown cardboard cone are arranged on a light marble surface.

Supplies for Yarn Trees

Cardboard or styrofoam cone form
Yarn (white yarn, green yarn, or any yarn color you love)
Hot glue gun and glue
Scissors
Silicone finger protectors

Shop for Supplies

If you don’t already have cones, you can find them at any craft store in different sizes, or even make your own using rolled card stock.

Tip from the Author

Choosing Yarn

You can use any yarn or string for this project. The smaller the yarn diameter, the longer it will take to wrap the cone. I used medium-weight yarn and the largest tree took about twenty minutes to finish. Chunky yarn works great for larger cones because it covers quickly, while finer yarns look beautiful on smaller ones.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Yarn Trees

Step 1: Start at the base of the cone

The first thing to do is add a small bead of hot glue along the bottom edge of the cone. My cone trees have a flat base rather than an open bottom, so I started wrapping directly around the bottom of the cone.

A hand holds a cardboard cone while using a hot glue gun to attach chunky white yarn. Gold scissors and a ball of yarn are nearby on a white surface.

A person with manicured nails holds a cardboard cone and ties a piece of white chunky yarn to its base. Gold scissors and a ball of yarn are nearby on a light surface.

Step 2: Secure the end of the yarn

Next, press the end of the yarn into the glue to hold it firmly. This will create your anchor point for wrapping.

A person uses a hot glue gun to attach chunky white yarn to the base of a cone-shaped cardboard form, with a skein of yarn nearby on a light surface.

Step 3: Wrap the base layer

Begin wrapping the yarn horizontally around the cone, keeping each row snug against the previous one. Secure the base layer with a dab of hot glue every few inches to prevent slipping. This will ensure the cardboard doesn’t peek through and give your tree a neat, finished look.

A person uses a hot glue gun to attach white yarn to the base of a cardboard cone, starting a craft project on a light-colored surface.

Hands with gray-painted nails hold a cardboard cone, attaching a piece of white fluffy material to its base. A white knit object lies nearby on a light surface.

Step 4: Continue wrapping upward

Continue wrapping the yarn tightly around the cone, moving upward in even layers. Keep a little bit of tension on the yarn as you go to maintain smooth coverage. Depending on your yarn color and cone size, this step can be relaxing and quite fun—just like meditative crafting for the Christmas season!

Two hands are wrapping thick white yarn around the base of a cone-shaped object made from brown craft paper on a light-colored surface.

Two hands wrap thick, white, speckled yarn around the base of a brown cardboard cone, creating a textured covering on a light-colored surface.

Step 5: Finish the top of the cone

Once you reach the top of the cone, apply a bead of glue to secure the final layers. Wrap the yarn vertically over the tip of the cone, then continue wrapping horizontally until the top of your tree is completely covered. Cut the yarn and glue the end in place. Because the glue is hot, silicone finger protectors come in handy to prevent burns and help hold the yarn in position as it cools.

Close-up of hands with painted nails knitting with chunky cream-colored yarn and a large wooden knitting needle on a light surface.

Close-up of two hands holding and twisting thick white yarn on a light surface, possibly preparing it for knitting or a craft project. The person has light nail polish on their fingernails.

Step 6: Style and enjoy

And finally, your yarn tree is complete! Arrange your yarn trees in groups of different sizes for dimension and texture. I styled mine on my mantel with pine cones, wooden stars, and other handmade decorations for a layered, collected look. You can also add a touch of mod podge and glitter for shimmer, or glue on pom poms for a whimsical touch. Whether plain or decorated, they make such a sweet addition to your holiday décor.

A white brick fireplace is decorated with cone-shaped trees, gold candlesticks, a garland of paper leaves, and hanging pinecones. Candles and a pillar with a silver ribbon complete the festive, neutral-toned arrangement.

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Tips for the Best Yarn Trees

Use cones of different sizes to create a natural, staggered arrangement on your mantel or tabletop.
Try combining colors like soft white yarn, deep green yarn, or sage green for a warm and cozy Christmas decor palette.
Add embellishments like pom poms, tiny bells, or wooden stars to the top of your tree for extra personality.
If your yarn is very thin, double it up for faster coverage and a chunkier texture.
To prevent the yarn from unraveling, secure the end of the yarn firmly with a drop of glue at both the bottom of the cone and the top of the tree.
Don’t be afraid to experiment—these are the perfect project to personalize with your own creative touch.

Why You’ll Love These Yarn Trees

These yarn trees are one of those timeless crafts that combine beauty, simplicity, and affordability. Whether you’re crafting with your kids or setting aside a quiet evening to create on your own, they’re a fun DIY that instantly adds warmth to your home.

They’re also incredibly versatile—you can adapt them to any holiday décor theme. Use soft white yarn for a snowy, neutral look, or try green yarn and natural pine cones for a rustic woodland feel. If you’re drawn to metallics, add a light coat of mod podge and sprinkle glitter for a shimmery finish.

Each one turns out unique, and because they’re made from materials you probably already have, they’re as budget-friendly as they are beautiful. Plus, they’re lightweight, easy to store, and perfect for displaying year after year.

A cozy holiday scene with decorative trees made from folded book pages and yarn, surrounded by vintage candlesticks holding lit candles, set against a white brick wall.

Common Question about Yarn Trees

Can I use foam cones instead of cardboard?
Absolutely! Styrofoam cones are a great option and work perfectly for this yarn tree DIY. They hold their shape well and make wrapping quick and easy.

What kind of yarn works best?
Any type of yarn can be used, depending on the look you want. Chunky yarn is best for a soft, cozy texture, while thinner yarn gives a more refined, smooth finish. You can even mix yarn colors for added interest.

Can I decorate my yarn trees?
Yes! Add small pom poms, beads, or wooden stars to the top of your tree for a custom look. You can even brush on a little mod podge and dust with glitter for sparkle.

Where can I find the cones?
Most craft stores carry cardboard or styrofoam cones year-round, especially during the holiday season. Look in the floral or craft foam aisle.

How should I display them?
These yarn trees look beautiful on a mantel, dining table, or entryway. Cluster them with candles, pine cones, and greenery for a complete Christmas display.

A white brick fireplace is decorated with cone-shaped trees, white poinsettia garland, pinecones, and candles. A winter landscape painting with snow, trees, and a house hangs above the mantel.

Creating yarn trees is such a simple and relaxing project that adds warmth, charm, and a handmade touch to your home. What I love most about these little trees is how customizable they are—you can make them in different sizes, experiment with various yarn colors and textures, and style them to match your holiday décor perfectly. Whether you choose soft white yarn for a neutral, cottage-inspired look or rich green yarn for a more traditional Christmas style, each tree brings a special, personal element to your space. They’re a reminder that Christmas decorating doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—sometimes, it’s the little things made by hand that make your home feel the most magical. I can’t wait to keep adding to my collection and incorporating these throughout my mantel and home all season long.

If you make these yarn trees, I’d love to see your creations! Be sure to follow along on social media @returninggrace, and tag me or leave a comment with your version of this project. Let’s share the inspiration and spread a little handmade joy together this Christmas season!

salutation with a signature Wishing you grace, Stephanie

Meet Stephanie

Hi, I’m Stephanie—a lifelong creative, homebody at heart, and the hands behind Returning Grace. I believe home should feel like your favorite place, and I’m passionate about helping you create spaces filled with warmth, character, and charm. From simple DIYs and seasonal crafts to cozy recipes and vintage-inspired decor, I share approachable ideas to make your home feel beautifully lived in. I love thrifting, styling old finds in fresh ways, and documenting our home remodeling adventures along the way.
 
I’m honored to have served as the 2024 American Farmhouse Style Brand Ambassador and to share my love for cottage farmhouse living with a community that values creativity, comfort, and meaningful design.

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