Whimsical Woodland Gnome Ornaments: A Free Crochet Pattern

Bring a touch of forest magic to your holiday decor with these adorable crochet gnome ornaments! Complete with fluffy beards and pointy hats, each gnome is quick to make and perfect for gifting, hanging on your tree, or adding a whimsical touch to gift wrapping. This beginner-friendly pattern uses simple single crochet stitches worked in the round, making it an ideal weekend project. Let's get started on creating these charming little forest dwellers!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project is highly customizable, so feel free to swap colors to match your personal style or holiday theme.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Red (for Gnome 1's body and hat)
  • Forest Green (for Gnome 2's body and hat)
  • Cream or White (for the beard – or use faux fur yarn)
  • Skin Tone (for the face and nose)
  • Small amount of black yarn (for embroidering eyes)
• Crochet Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4) hook, or size needed to achieve a tight tension.
• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill or any soft stuffing material.
• Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker, scissors, and optional small safety eyes (if you prefer not to embroider).
• For the Beard: Faux fur yarn or a small amount of fluffy yarn (like Lion Brand Go For Faux or similar).
• For Hanging: Thin gold cord, ribbon, or embroidery floss.

Note on Gauge: Gauge is not critical for this project. The most important thing is to maintain a tight tension while crocheting so the stuffing doesn't show through your stitches. If your stitches are loose, consider using a smaller hook (like 3.25 mm).

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in continuous rounds (spiral) unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each round. The pattern makes two complete gnomes – one red and one green. All instructions are repeated for each gnome.

Gnome Body (Make 2)

Note: The body is worked from the bottom (feet area) up to the head.

1. Start: With skin tone yarn, make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: Work 6 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Pull tight to close. (6 stitches)
3. Round 2: Work 2 sc into each stitch around. (12 stitches)
4. Round 3: *Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat from * to * around. (18 stitches)
5. Rounds 4-6: Sc in each stitch around for 3 rounds. (18 stitches)
6. Switch Colors: Cut the skin tone yarn and join your chosen body color (Red or Green).
7. Round 7: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)
8. Round 8: *Sc in the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat from * to * around. (24 stitches)
9. Rounds 9-12: Sc in each stitch around for 4 rounds. (24 stitches)
10. Round 13 (Decrease): *Sc in the next 2 stitches, sc2tog (single crochet 2 together)*; repeat from * to * around. (18 stitches)
11. Stuff the Body: Firmly stuff the body with fiberfill. Make sure the bottom is plump and the shape is round.
12. Round 14 (Decrease): *Sc in the next stitch, sc2tog*; repeat from * to * around. (12 stitches)
13. Round 15 (Decrease): Sc2tog around. (6 stitches)
14. Finish: Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use the yarn needle to weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Weave in the end securely.

Gnome Nose (Make 2)

1. Start: With skin tone yarn, make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull tight. (6 stitches)
3. Round 2: Sc in each stitch around. (6 stitches)
4. Finish: Fasten off, leaving a long tail (approx. 8 inches) for sewing. The nose will look like a tiny tube. Do not stuff.

Gnome Hat (Make 2)

Note: Use the same color yarn as the body for a cohesive look.

1. Start: With Red or Green yarn, make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull tight. (6 stitches)
3. Round 2: Work 2 sc into each stitch around. (12 stitches)
4. Round 3: *Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat from * to * around. (18 stitches)
5. Rounds 4-6: Sc in each stitch around for 3 rounds. (18 stitches)
6. Round 7 (Decrease): *Sc in the next 2 stitches, sc2tog*; repeat from * to * around. (12 stitches)
7. Rounds 8-10: Sc in each stitch around for 3 rounds. (12 stitches)
8. Round 11 (Decrease): *Sc in the next stitch, sc2tog*; repeat from * to * around. (8 stitches)
9. Rounds 12-14: Sc in each stitch around for 3 rounds. (8 stitches)
10. Finish: Fasten off, leaving a long tail. The hat will look like a long cone. Fold the top point of the hat over to one side and tack it down with a few small stitches to create the classic "bent" gnome hat look.

Assembly & Details

1. Attach the Nose: Using the long tail from the nose, sew the nose onto the center of the face (the skin-toned area), positioning it slightly lower than the middle to leave room for eyes above. Weave in the end.
2. Attach the Hat: Using the long tail from the hat, sew the hat onto the top of the gnome's head. The hat should cover the top of the body where the color change happened. Sew around the base of the hat securely. Weave in the end.
3. Create the Beard: Cut several strands of fluffy yarn or faux fur, each about 4 inches long. You will need roughly 15-20 strands. Using a yarn needle or a latch hook, fold each strand in half and pull the loop through a stitch on the front of the face, just below the nose. Pull the ends through the loop and tighten. Attach strands in a fan shape, starting from under the nose and working down and outwards to form a rounded beard. Trim the beard with scissors to shape it neatly.
4. Embroider the Eyes: Using black yarn and a yarn needle, embroider simple French knots or small straight stitches for the eyes, placing them just above the nose. Alternatively, attach small 6mm safety eyes before sewing on the hat.
5. Add a Hanging Loop: Cut a 6-inch piece of gold cord, ribbon, or embroidery floss. Fold it in half and thread the ends through the top of the hat using a yarn needle. Tie a knot to secure the loop.
6. Final Weave: Weave in all remaining loose ends with your yarn needle. Give your gnome a gentle squeeze to shape him.

Tips for Perfect Gnomes

• Maintain Tension: Keep your stitches tight, especially when working with the skin tone yarn, to prevent the white stuffing from peeking through.
• Use a Stitch Marker: Since this is worked in a spiral, it's easy to lose your place. Always use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.
• Customize: Don't be afraid to experiment! Try different color combinations, add a tiny mushroom to the hat, or use metallic thread for the hanging loop for an extra festive touch.

These whimsical gnomes are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. They make wonderful handmade gifts for teachers, coworkers, and loved ones. Happy crocheting!