Homemade Knotted Bow Cinnamon Stick Christmas Tree

Cinnamon sticks and scraps of fabric are the key materials for making an adorable Christmas tree ornament.

A quick and easy homemade ornament that adds a festive aroma to any home makes a perfect gift for a special teacher, or neighbor this holiday season.

It's so simple even little ones can make it (if very young, they just need a little supervision when using a glue gun.)

So, let's get started and put together this adorable Christmas tree craft.

Here's what you'll need.

Table of Contents

Materials for a Cinnamon Stick Christmas Tree Ornament

Here's a quick list of equipment and supplies needed. You'll find more details in the printable craft at the end of this post.

• Cinnamon Sticks – 6” to 8” long
• Wooden Stars – Small
• Jute Twine – Dollar Store
• Fabric Fat Quarters – 18” by 18”
• Acrylic Craft Paint – Metallic Gold
• Paintbrush
• Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Scissors
• Ruler

Choose long, thin cinnamon sticks rather than fat, stubby ones. This type of thin cinnamon stick is usually available in the floral section of most craft stores.

You can choose any color fabric you wish. Leftover remnants or scraps will even work.

Fat Quarter is a term I learned in America - not one I heard growing up in Ireland. They are available at any fabric store and are sized as 18” square. 

Fat quarters are usually pretty inexpensive at the craft store, and they usually come in matching shades of different colors. However, green patterns help mimic the colors of an evergreen tree, so it makes these ornaments all the more festive.

Plaid or checkered fabrics are perfect for this craft because their grid patterns help with cutting out the strips of fabric for the bows. 

Choose cotton patterned fabrics for this craft since they are easy to knot and will work well for this craft. Other choices that will work are felt, burlap, lace trim or even ribbons.

Directions for Assembly

Here you'll find step-by step photographic instructions for making this Christmas ornament. You'll find a printable how-to sheet at the bottom of this post.

Unroll and lay out the fabric.

Make small cuts approximately one inch apart, with scissors, down the length of the fabric using the plaid pattern as a guide. 

Rip the fabric at the cut marks to expose the frayed edges. This gives the finished ornaments a rustic appeal.

Next we're going to make bows of varying lengths to form the limbs of our Christmas trees.

Keep the fabric strips at 18” long. Tie a square knot at each end leaving a one-inch tail on both sides of the knot. Trim with scissors. 

Move onto a slightly bigger bow. Tie a square knot at the end of a strip and leave a two-inch tail on either side of the knot. Trim the with scissors. 

Finally we'll create the longest tree branch by tying a square knot and leaving a three-inch tail on either side of the knot. Once again, trim with scissors.

Now, it's time to assemble the tree.

Glue each knotted fabric branch to the cinnamon stick tree trunk using a glue gun, tube glue or glue sticks.

Place the smallest bow at the top, the middling size right in the middle, and largest bow at the bottom.

I find a glue gun works best for this step, but do supervise little ones so they don't burn their fingers when using a glue gun.

Our next task is to make a star for the top of our trees.

Use a paint brush to apply metallic gold acrylic craft paint to small wooden cut out stars.

Let the paint dry completely, before applying a second coat. Set the star aside to dry again.

I highly recommend applying two coats of gold paint for a glossy, satin like finish on your star.

Attach the metallic gold star to the top of the cinnamon stick tree using a glue gun with inserted glue sticks.

Now we've reached our final step. To finish off this project, measure and cut an eight-inch length of jute twine.

Next tie both ends of the twine in a knot to create a loop. 

Flip the cinnamon stick tree over so that the rear side is on top. Glue the twine loop hanger to the top of the cinnamon stick tree trunk.

Let this craft dry completely before attempting to hang this precious ornament on your Christmas tree.

Video Plus Printable Craft Instruction Sheet

Here's a short video outlining the steps for making this craft.

Here's the printable how-to instruction sheet for your files.

More Christmas Crafts

If you would like to explore some more Christmas crafts with me, why not take a look at these craft tutorials.

Pine Cone Christmas Tree Craft For Kids

Tissue Paper Christmas Tree Card Craft

Cardboard Tube Paper Plate Christmas Wreath

Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.