This little gnome is a companion piece for the crochet cottage patterns that
I currently have available, as well as all of my upcoming cottages.
I hope you enjoy this pattern, and if you post pictures, please tag me @bugburrypond
& hashtag #laurajaworski so I can see & share your creations.
You can find all of my free crochet patterns here.
Happy crocheting!
Skill Level: Easy
Size:
This gnome stands approximately 4 inches tall when made with a size 4 hook and worsted weight yarn.
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn (tan, white, blue)
4.0 mm hook
Safety eyes (5mm, or to your preference)
Needle for sewing
Polyester or other stuffing
Stitch marker, safety pin, or small piece of yarn to count rounds
Scissors
Glue (optional)
Abbreviations:
MC = Magic circle
St = Stitch
Sc = Single crochet
Ss = Slip stitch
Rep = Repeat
2tog = Crochet two together, also known as decrease (invisible decrease preferred)
Ch1 = Chain one
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.
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.
Click here for The Most Wonderful Thing Bunny Free Crochet Pattern.
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.
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.
Click here for Inhale Possibility, Exhale Creativity: A Collection of Quoes About Art & the Creative Flow
A note about the invisible finish technique:
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!
This little gnome is a great size for a Christmas ornament or keychain! If making ornaments, see The Christmas Pudding Ornament Free Crochet Pattern for instructions on how to use the beginning MC tail as your ornament loop. You can also use twine or a chain secured on the top inside of the hat. Make sure to sew or hot glue the hat to your gnome's head once the loop has been secured.
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 4-6: 1sc in each st (18)
Rnd 7: 1sc then 2tog, rep (12)
Add your safety eyes on the front of the head, between rounds 5 & 6 with 2 stitches between. Begin stuffing the head; you can continue stuffing as you go.
Rnd 8: 2tog x 6 (6)
Change to blue yarn.
Rnd 9: 2sc in each st (12)
Rnd 10: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (18)
Rnd 11: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (24)
Rnd 12-14: 1sc in each st (24)
Rnd 15: 2sc then 2tog, rep (18)
Rnd 16: 1sc then 2tog, rep (12)
Stuff the body.
Rnd 17: BLO 2tog x 6 (6)
Snip your yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Weave your tail around the front loops of the six remaining stitches and pull to close. Weave your yarn back and forth or knot to secure, then hide the yarn tail inside the body, pulling up slightly so your gnome sits flat.
Hat (with blue yarn):
Rnd 1: MC with 4sc (4)
Rnd 2: 2sc in the first st, 3sc (5)
Rnd 3: 2sc in the first st, 4sc (6)
Rnd 4: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (9)
Rnd 5: 2sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (12)
Rnd 6: 1sc in each st (12)
Rnd 7: 1sc then 2sc in the next st, rep (18)
Rnd 8: 1sc in each st (18)
Rnd 9: 8sc, 2sc in the next st, rep (20)
Rnd 10-11: 1sc in each st (20)
If you are happy with the size of your hat, snip your yarn & f/o using the invisible finish technique. If you would like to adjust the size of your hat, continue with the below instruction.
Adjusting the hat:
To make the hat smaller, crochet up to rnd 8, then continue with the same st count (18) for the remaining rounds.
To make the hat longer, add another round (with the same stitch count as round 11 to the pattern before finishing off, for a total of 12 rounds.
Beard (with white yarn):
Row 1: Ch2, 2sc in the back bump of the first ch (2)
Row 2: Ch1 & turn, 2sc in the first st, 1sc (3)
Row 3: Ch1 & turn, 1sc, 2sc in the next st, 1sc (4)
Row 4: Ch1 & turn, 1sc, 2sc in the next st, 2sc (5)
Row 5: Ch1 & turn, 2sc, 2sc in the next st, 2sc (6)
Ch1 & do not snip your work.
Click here for The Pumpkin Cottage Free Crochet Pattern.
You will now work a border around the beard (see photos):
Working down the left (rough) side of your beard: 5sc
Working into the point of your beard: 1sc, ch1, 1sc
Working up the right (rough) side of your beard: 5sc
Working along the top of your beard (row 5): *1sc, ch1, 1sc* in the first st, 4sc, *1sc, ch1, 1sc* in the last st.
Snip your yarn and f/o using the invisible finish technique. Note: when completing the invisible finish technique for the beard, skip over the ch1 completed at the end of row 5 and work into the sc two stitches over. Weave your yarn tails loosely on the back of your beard to cover any noticeable gaps.
Adding the nose:
To add the nose, cut a length of tan yarn and thread it on your needle. Wrap the yarn securely around the top middle stitches of the beard, working from back to front and across until you have created the width of nose you would like (see photos). Wrap the yarn across the length of the nose once more, continuing until the desired shape and size has been achieved. Weave your yarn tails on the back of your beard to secure.
If you would prefer to crochet a nose for your gnome, follow the below instructions:
Rnd 1: MC with 6sc (6)
Rnd 2: 1sc in each st (6)
Snip your yarn & f/o using the invisible finish technique. You can stuff the nose or leave it flat to your preference. Sew the nose to the gnome using your yarn tail.
You can adjust the number of sts in your MC to increase or decrease the size of the nose, or try an oval instead of a circle to vary the shape.
Finishing your gnome:
Stitch or carefully hot glue the beard to your gnome, lining the nose up directly between & underneath the eyes. Finger block the back of the hat so the stitches are even.
Click here for all of my free crochet patterns.
And now you’re done! I hope you enjoy this little 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, please feel free to contact me here.
Happy crocheting and have a beautiful day 💕
Laura
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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. Alteration of my crochet patterns is strictly prohibited.
Copyright © 2022 Laura Jaworski, The Little Gnome Free Crochet Pattern.
All Rights Reserved.
“Inhale possibility, exhale creativity.” ~ Laura Jaworski
Click here for 60 Quotes About Art & Creativity ✨
