This book gnome stands approximately 8 inches tall and is suitable for all crocheters. I hope you enjoy this pattern, and if you post pictures, please hashtag #laurajaworski & tag me @bugburrypond
so I can see & share your creations.
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You can find my other gnomes, as well as all of my free crochet patterns here.
Skill Level: Easy
Size:
This gnome stands approximately 8 inches tall when made with a size 4 hook and worsted weight yarn.
This pattern includes two books. The large book is approximately 2.5 inches tall & 2 inches wide.
The small book is approximately 2 inches tall & 1 ¾ inches wide.
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn (tan, yellow, white, assorted colors for books)
4.0 mm hook
Safety eyes (6mm, or to your preference)
Needle for sewing
Polyester or other stuffing
Stitch marker, safety pin, or small piece of yarn to count rounds
Scissors
White felt or cardstock
Glue or a sewing needle & thread
Abbreviations:
MC = Magic circle (see pattern notes)
St = Stitch
Sc = Single crochet stitch
Ss = Slip stitch
Rep = Repeat
Inc = Increase
2tog = Crochet two together, also known as decrease (invisible decrease preferred)
BLO = Back loop only
Ch = Chain
RS = Right Side (the right side/front of your crochet)
F/o = Finish off
A note about the magic circle:
Also known as a magic loop or magic ring. If you prefer not to use a magic circle, simply create a slip knot, chain two, and begin by placing your first round of stitches into the first chain. Pull tightly on your tail to close the gap and continue with the pattern as written. Once you have worked a few more rounds, weave your yarn tail back and forth on the underside to secure your piece and close any remaining gap.
A note about working in a spiral:
This little gnome is worked in a spiral which means that each round continues into the next without a slip stitch and chain. You will not turn your work while making the gnome portion of this project.
A note about counting stitches:
Using a stitch marker, safety pin, or small piece of yarn to mark the first stitch of each round will help you track your progress. Move the marker as you complete each round.
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A note about BLO:
For the back loop only round, you will work all of your stitches into the back loop of each stitch. For all other rounds, work into both loops of each stitch.
A note about increasing and decreasing:
For an increase, crochet two stitches in the same stitch. For a decrease, crochet two stitches together, preferably using the invisible decrease method.
Click here for The Birthday Bear Free Crochet Pattern 🎂
A note about reading the pattern:
Before beginning a pattern, it helps to read through the abbreviations list. If you need help with a technique, refer to a written or video tutorial, or keep a crochet book handy. Below is a round from the pattern, followed by a detailed description of the instructions.
Rnd 4: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (24)
Beginning round four, add one single crochet into each of the next two stitches. Add two single crochet stitches in the following stitch. Repeat the pattern of one single crochet in each of the next two stitches followed by an increase until you reach the end of round four. There should be 24 stitches in your completed round.
A note about customizing the size of your books:
You can customize the size of your books by using a bigger or smaller crochet hook and/or a different weight of yarn.
A note about the invisible finish technique (see photos):
For the invisible finish technique, complete the last stitch of your pattern. Snip your yarn, leaving a tail long enough for sewing. Pull the loop on your hook, drawing the snipped yarn tail free. Next, thread the yarn tail onto your needle and bring it through both loops of the stitch following the next stitch. Bring your yarn tail through the back loop of the last stitch of your final round, pulling until you’ve created a v that is comparable in size to the rest of your stitches. Weave your yarn tail on the backside of your piece to secure.
Now let’s get started!
Gnome
Head & Body (beginning at the top, with tan yarn):
Rnd 1: MC with 6sc (6)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st (12)
Rnd 3: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (18)
Rnd 4: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (24)
Rnd 5: 3sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (30)
Rnd 6: 4sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (36)
Rnd 7-12: 1sc in each st (36)
Rnd 13: 4sc then 2tog, rep (30)
Rnd 14: 3sc then 2tog, rep (24)
Add your safety eyes between rounds 9 & 10 with four stitches between each eye.
Rnd 15: 2sc then 2tog, rep (18)
Stuff your gnome head, you can continue to stuff as you make the body.
Rnd 16: 1sc then 2tog, rep (12)
Change to yellow yarn.
Rnd 17: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (18)
Rnd 18: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (24)
Rnd 19: 3sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (30)
Rnd 20: 1sc in each st (30)
Rnd 21: 4sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (36)
Rnd 22-24: 1sc in each st (36)
Rnd 25: 5sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (42)
Rnd 26-28: 1sc in each st (42)
Rnd 29: 5sc then 2tog, rep (36)
Rnd 30: 1sc in each st (36)
Rnd 31: 4sc then 2tog, rep (30)
Begin stuffing your body, you can continue stuffing as you go. Be careful not to overstuff the bottom so your gnome will sit flat.
Rnd 32: 3sc then 2tog, rep (24)
Rnd 33: BLO 2sc then 2tog, rep (18)
Rnd 34: 1sc then 2tog, rep (12)
Rnd 35: 2tog x 6 (6)
Snip your yarn. Pull your yarn tail free, then weave your yarn tail through the front loops of the six remaining stitches and pull to close. Weave your yarn back and forth or knot to secure and hide the yarn tail inside the body, pulling up slightly and securing the yarn so your gnome sits flat.
Nose (with tan yarn):
Rnd 1: MC with 6sc (6)
Rnd 2: 3sc in the 1st st, 2sc, rep (10)
Rnd 3: sc in each st (10)
Rnd 4: 2tog x 5 (5)
F/o, leaving a long tail for sewing. The nose can be lightly stuffed or left flat, to your preference. Weave your yarn tail through the five remaining stitches and pull to close. Weave your yarn back and forth or knot to secure. If you plan to hot glue the nose to your gnome, hide the remaining tail & snip the yarn as necessary.
Click here for The Little Gnome Free Crochet Pattern.
Hands & Arms (beginning with hands, with tan yarn, make two):
Rnd 1: MC with 6sc (6)
Rnd 2-3: 1sc in each st (6)
Change to yellow yarn.
Rnd 4: 1sc in each st (6)
Tie tails together & stuff lightly into hands.
5-12: 1sc in each st (6)
F/o, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff the arms.
Sleeve Cuffs (optional, with yellow yarn, make two):
Ch6, f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. You can add or subtract a chain if needed.
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Hat (with yellow yarn):
Rnd 1: MC with 4sc (4)
Rnd 2: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (6)
Rnd 3: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (9)
Rnd 4: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (12)
Rnd 5: 1sc in each st (12)
Rnd 6: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (18)
Rnd 7: 1sc in each st (18)
Rnd 8: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (24)
Rnd 9: 1sc in each st (24)
Rnd 10: 3sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (30)
Rnd 11: 1sc in each st (30)
Rnd 12: 4sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (36)
Rnd 13-15: 1sc in each st (36)
Rnd 16: 5sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (42)
Rnd 17-19: 1sc in each st (42)
Rnd 20: Ss each st around (42)
Snip your yarn. Complete your hat using the invisible finish technique, then weave your yarn tail on the underside of the hat to secure.
See The Pumpkin Pie Gnome Free Crochet Pattern for this hat pattern!
Finishing Your Gnome:
Attaching the beard (see photos):
To add the beard, begin by cutting approximately 60 strands of white yarn.
Beginning at the last round of the head, attach 6-8 strands of yarn, centered between the eyes. (To attach a strand, insert your hook behind the post of a stitch, pull the yarn through at its center, then pull the tail ends through the center loop.) Next, add 10+ strands to each round, working your way up to the last round directly under the eyes. For the last round closest to the eyes, leave 2 stitches free between the eyes so you have a gap to add the nose. Add additional or fewer strands to each round to your preference. If you would like a bushy beard, separate the individual strands of each piece of yarn by hand or with a darning needle.
Attaching the nose (see above photos):
Stitch or carefully hot glue the nose to your gnome in the small beard gap. The top of his nose should be level with the top of round 9.
Attaching the sleeve cuffs (see photos):
Wrap your chained piece around the arm between rounds three and four so the color change is covered; you can knot the tails if you like. Next, stitch the cuff down around the arm using one of the tails. Once the cuff is secure, weave your yarn tails in the back of the arm to secure.
Attaching the arms (see photo):
Pin one arm on each side of your gnome; the top of each arm should be level with the top of round 18. Once you have the arms positioned properly, use your yarn tails to secure them to the body. Bring both yarn tails out of a stitch hole on the back of the gnome, tie them together, then hide them in the body of your gnome.
Complete your gnome by pulling the hat snugly onto his head so that the bottom round sits just above the eyes. Sew or hot glue the hat to your gnome’s head if desired. Straighten & trim his beard and finger block the overall shape of your gnome.
Click here for The Basic Gnome Free Crochet Pattern PDF.
Large Book (with any color yarn):
Row 1: Ch13; sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from hook, sc in the back bump of each ch to end of row (12)
Row 2-7: Ch1 & turn your work, sc in each st to end of row (12)
Do not snip your yarn.
Creating the Border
The border consists of a sc in each st around your piece with a total of 3sc in each corner; it is worked into the FS of your crochet.
To create the border, begin with a ch1; do not turn your work. Next, add 7sc down the left (rough) edge of your piece with a total of 3sc in the last stitch (the bottom left corner) for a total of 9 stitches. (Note: you will not have clean stitch spaces to work into on the rough edges; create your stitches wherever you can comfortably fit your hook.) Working along the bottom of your piece, add 12sc with a total of 3c in the bottom right corner for a total of 14 stitches. Working up the right (rough) side of your piece, add 7sc with a total of 3sc in the top right corner. Sc12 along the top of your piece with a total of 3sc in the top left corner. You should have 46 stitches in your completed border.
Snip your yarn & complete your book cover using the invisible finish technique. Weave your yarn tails into the back of your piece to secure. Finger block your crochet into shape.
Small Book (with any color yarn):
Row 1: Ch11; sc in the back bump of the 2nd ch from hook, sc in the back bump of each ch to end of row (10)
Row 2-5: Ch1 & turn your work, sc in each st to end of row (10)
Do not snip your yarn.
Creating the Border
The border consists of a sc in each st around your piece with a total of 3sc in each corner; it is worked into the FS of your crochet.
To create the border, begin with a ch1; do not turn your work. Next, add 5sc down the left (rough) edge of your piece with a total of 3sc in the last stitch (the bottom left corner) for a total of 7 stitches. (Note: you will not have clean stitch spaces to work into on the rough edges; create your stitches wherever you can comfortably fit your hook.) Working along the bottom of your piece, add 10sc with a total of 3c in the bottom right corner for a total of 12 stitches. Working up the right (rough) side of your piece, add 5sc with a total of 3sc in the top right corner. Sc10 along the top of your piece with a total of 3sc in the top left corner. You should have 38 stitches in your completed border.
Snip your yarn & complete your book cover using the invisible finish technique. Weave your yarn tails into the back of your piece to secure. Finger block your crochet into shape.
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Making & Adding the Pages
To create the pages, fold your book cover in half and cut pieces of white felt to fit half of the interior (see photos). Add as many pages as you like; mine have 4-5 per book. Alternatively, use cardstock or crochet a small piece(s) with white yarn.
To add the pages, line them up neatly and secure with hot glue. You can glue the entire page or only add glue to the edges along the spine so the pages will open. Alternatively, attach the pages with a needle & thread.
Decorating Your Book
To decorate your book, try embroidering or sewing a miniature applique to the cover. You can also decorate or write on the pages.
Finger block your book into shape.
Click here for The Little Book Free Crochet Pattern PDF 📚
Completing Your Book Gnome
To complete your book gnome, stack two or more of the large books and secure them with hot glue. Alternatively, sew your books together.
Position the stack of books between your gnome's hands & secure them with hot glue. Alternatively, sew the books between your gnome's hands.
Complete the above steps with a stack of small books for your gnome's hat.
Finger block your gnome into shape.
Click here for all of my free crochet patterns.
And now you’re done! I hope you enjoy this book gnome & if you post pictures, please hashtag #laurajaworski & tag me @bugburrypond so I can see & share your work! You can find me @bugburrypond on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Happy crocheting and have a beautiful day. 💕
Laura
Click here for The Basic Gnome Free Crochet Pattern PDF.
Click here for The Little Book Free Crochet Pattern PDF.
Please do not post this pattern on another site without written permission.
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You may sell completed items made using my free crochet patterns provided you credit me as the designer and provide a link to my website wherever the items are sold. Alteration of my crochet patterns is strictly prohibited.
Copyright © 2024 Laura Jaworski, The Book Gnome Free Crochet Pattern.
All Rights Reserved.
“Inhale possibility, exhale creativity.” ~ Laura Jaworski
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