I often see everyday objects and imagine something else entirely—sometimes even animals or food. While working with walnuts for another project, I noticed a few that looked a bit like tiny pineapples. That little observation turned into these itty-bitty walnut pineapples. They’re simple, whimsical, and perfect as place cards for a tropical-themed Thanksgiving or just as a playful craft to make for fun. My partner Jeff jokingly called them “pine nuts,” and the name stuck.
I didn’t photograph a full step-by-step for these because the technique is the same as my pineapple pumpkin project, but the instructions are straightforward and quick to follow.
Supplies:
Walnuts
Yellow craft paint
Paintbrush
Green cardstock (cut into leaf shapes of various lengths)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Instructions:
1. Paint the walnut shell yellow; two thin coats usually give the best coverage. Let each coat dry completely.
2. Prepare green cardstock leaves in three or four size ranges—tall, medium, short—so you can layer them like pineapple fronds.
3. For the first (tallest) leaves, fold a small tab at the base of each leaf to create a surface for gluing. Hot glue these around the top of the walnut with the tabs facing outward to form the base layer.
4. Add a second and third layer of medium and shorter leaves, offsetting them so the gaps are covered. Glue each leaf with its tab tucked under the layer above.
5. For the final, smallest layer, fold the tabs inward and glue them directly on top of the previous tabs to create a neat, finished crown.
6. Allow the glue to set. Trim any uneven edges if desired. Your tiny walnut pineapples are ready to decorate your table or craft display.
I haven’t decided final Thanksgiving plans yet, but these little pineapples will definitely find a spot on the table. They’d pair nicely with other pineapple-themed projects for a cohesive, playful display. Turkeys and pineapples can be charming companions—why not mix them?
All Photos by Studio DIY
Walnuts are surprisingly versatile—what do they make you think of? If you enjoy pineapple-themed crafts, there are more ideas in our pineapple DIY collection.