purlJam

# Classic Gnome Crochet Pattern

A charming beginner-friendly gnome featuring a cozy pointed hat, fluffy beard, and simple construction. Perfect for home décor or as a handmade gift!

**Finished Size**: Approximately 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) tall  
**Difficulty Level**: Beginner  
**Construction**: Worked in continuous rounds (amigurumi style), assembled at end

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## Materials

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (4) yarn in the following colors:
- Red or burgundy (hat) - approximately 30 yards
- Gray or white (beard) - approximately 20 yards
- Tan or beige (nose) - small amount, approximately 5 yards
- Coordinating color for body (gray, cream, or match beard) - approximately 40 yards

**Suggested Yarn**: Red Heart Super Saver, Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, or any worsted weight acrylic or cotton blend

**Hook**: US E-4 (3.5mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge

**Other Materials**:
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle for sewing
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
- Optional: Small piece of cardboard for hat stiffness

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## Abbreviations

- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through 2 loops)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- [ ] = total stitch count at end of round

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## Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this project, but affects finished size.

**Standard gauge**: 5-6 sc = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in amigurumi (worked tightly)

**Note**: Work stitches tightly to prevent stuffing from showing through. Your hook should be 1-2 sizes smaller than yarn label recommends.

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## Special Techniques

**Magic Ring**: Adjustable loop to start working in the round. Alternative: ch 2, work stitches into first chain.

**Invisible Decrease**: Insert hook in front loop only of next 2 sts, yarn over and pull through both loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. Creates smoother decrease than standard sc2tog.

**Continuous Rounds**: Do not join rounds with slip stitch. Use stitch marker to track beginning of round, moving it up as you work.

**Stuffing Tip**: Stuff pieces firmly as you go, especially before decrease rounds make the opening too small.

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## Pattern Instructions

### BODY

The body is worked from bottom to top in continuous rounds.

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]  
*Math check: 6 repeats × 3 sts = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]  
*Math check: 6 repeats × 4 sts = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30]  
*Math check: 6 repeats × 5 sts = 30 ✓*

**Rnds 6-12**: sc in each st around [30]  
*7 rounds of even stitches for body height*

**Rnd 13**: (3 sc, dec) around [24]  
*Begin stuffing body firmly with fiberfill*

**Rnd 14**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]  
*Add more stuffing, pushing down firmly*

**Rnd 15**: (sc, dec) around [12]  
*Continue stuffing to top*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing hat. Do not close the top opening completely - the hat will attach here.

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### HAT

The hat is worked from the tip downward in continuous rounds.

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: sc in each st around [6]  
**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [9]  
*Math check: 3 repeats × 3 sts = 9 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: sc in each st around [9]  
**Rnd 5**: (2 sc, inc) around [12]  
*Math check: 3 repeats × 4 sts = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 6**: sc in each st around [12]  
**Rnd 7**: (3 sc, inc) around [15]  
*Math check: 3 repeats × 5 sts = 15 ✓*

**Rnd 8**: sc in each st around [15]  
**Rnd 9**: (4 sc, inc) around [18]  
*Math check: 3 repeats × 6 sts = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 10**: sc in each st around [18]  
**Rnd 11**: (5 sc, inc) around [21]  
*Math check: 3 repeats × 7 sts = 21 ✓*

**Rnd 12**: sc in each st around [21]  
**Rnd 13**: (6 sc, inc) around [24]  
*Math check: 3 repeats × 8 sts = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 14**: (7 sc, inc) around [27]  
*Math check: 3 repeats × 9 sts = 27 ✓*

**Rnd 15**: (8 sc, inc) around [30]  
*Math check: 3 repeats × 10 sts = 30 ✓*  
*This matches the body opening of 30 sts*

**Rnd 16**: sc in each st around [30]

Fasten off, leaving a very long tail (at least 24 inches) for sewing hat to body.

**Optional**: Insert a small circle of cardboard inside the hat tip to help it hold its pointed shape.

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### NOSE

The nose is a small sphere worked in continuous rounds.

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnds 3-4**: sc in each st around [12]  
*2 rounds for nose height*

**Rnd 5**: dec around [6]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓*

Stuff nose lightly with small amount of fiberfill. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Use tail to close remaining hole, then sew nose to body.

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### BEARD

The beard can be made in two ways: **Textured Method** (recommended) or **Simple Semicircle Method**.

#### **Textured Beard Method (Recommended)**

This creates a fluffy, dimensional beard.

**Row 1**: Ch 15, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn [14]

**Row 2**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn [14]

**Row 3**: Ch 1, skip first st, sc in each st across to last st, skip last st, turn [12]  
*Decreasing at edges*

**Row 4**: Ch 1, skip first st, sc in each st across to last st, skip last st, turn [10]

**Row 5**: Ch 1, skip first st, sc in each st across to last st, skip last st, turn [8]

**Row 6**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn [8]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

**Adding Texture**: With same yarn and yarn needle, create loops or fringe by pulling yarn through stitches across the beard surface. Alternatively, brush yarn gently with a pet slicker brush or rough side of velcro to create fuzzy texture.

#### **Simple Semicircle Method** (Alternative)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]  
**Row 4**: Working in rows now (not rounds), sc in 12 sts, turn, leave remaining 6 sts unworked [12]  
**Row 5**: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn [12]  
**Row 6**: Ch 1, sc in each st across [12]

Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing.

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## Assembly

Follow these steps in order for best results:

1. **Attach Hat to Body**: 
   - Pin hat opening to top of body, aligning edges
   - Using long tail from hat and yarn needle, whip stitch around entire opening
   - Weave in ends inside body
   - Hat should sit snugly on body with no gaps

2. **Position and Attach Nose**:
   - Place nose on front of body, about 2 rounds below hat brim
   - Nose should be centered front and slightly protruding
   - Using tail from nose, sew around entire edge, going through body stitches
   - Weave in end

3. **Attach Beard**:
   - Position beard below nose, covering lower front of body
   - The straight edge (top of beard) should sit just under or slightly overlapping the nose
   - Pin in place first to check positioning
   - Using tail, sew top edge of beard securely to body
   - You can also tack down sides lightly, but leave bottom and center free to create dimension
   - Weave in ends

4. **Optional Details**:
   - Fold over or curl tip of hat and tack with a few stitches
   - Add a small pompom to hat tip
   - Embroider simple details if desired

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## Finishing

- Weave in all remaining ends securely
- Trim any excess yarn
- Shape hat by gently pulling tip or adding wire inside if desired
- Fluff beard and arrange for best appearance
- If yarn is fuzzy/pilled, trim carefully with scissors

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## Customization Ideas

**Size Variations**:
- **Smaller gnome** (4-5"): Use DK weight yarn with 3.0mm hook
- **Larger gnome** (8-10"): Use bulky yarn with 5.0mm hook, or add more increase rounds (to 36 or 42 sts)

**Color Options**:
- Traditional: Red hat, white beard
- Nordic: Gray hat, cream beard
- Holiday: Green hat with white beard for Christmas theme
- Rainbow: Bright colors for whimsical look

**Design Variations**:
- Add a stripe or two to hat by changing colors
- Create a longer, pointier hat by adding more rounds at smaller circumferences
- Make a curly beard by creating long chain loops sewn to face
- Add small arms using cylinder shapes from template
- Create a base/feet by making a small disc and attaching body on top

**Embellishments**:
- Tiny buttons sewn to body front
- Small felt belt
- Embroidered snowflakes on hat
- Jingle bell sewn to hat tip
- Small wooden bead for nose instead of crocheted version

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## Troubleshooting

**Hat doesn't fit body opening**: Check stitch counts carefully. Both should end at 30 sts. If mismatched, you can add/skip a round at body top or hat brim to adjust.

**Stuffing shows through**: Work more tightly, or use a smaller hook. Make sure yarn has good coverage.

**Gnome tips over**: Add more stuffing to bottom of body, or create a weighted base by adding plastic pellets before fiberfill.

**Beard doesn't stay in place**: Use more attachment points. Sew across the entire top edge and add a few tack stitches at sides.

**Hat won't hold shape**: Insert cardboard circle at tip, or work more tightly. You can also add a pipe cleaner or wire inside the hat cone.

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## Care Instructions

- Spot clean with damp cloth
- If machine washing is necessary, place in mesh bag and wash on gentle cycle
- Air dry flat, reshape while damp
- Do not bleach or iron
- Store away from direct sunlight to prevent fading

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## Skill Level Notes

This pattern is ideal for beginners who have mastered:
- Magic ring (or chain alternative)
- Single crochet
- Working in continuous rounds
- Basic increasing and decreasing
- Sewing pieces together

You will practice:
- Counting stitches in rounds
- Shaping with increases/decreases
- Stuffing techniques
- Assembly and finishing

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## Credits & Sharing

Pattern designed for personal use and gifts. Please do not sell this pattern or claim it as your own. Finished gnomes may be sold in small quantities; please credit the pattern designer. Share photos of your finished gnomes - happy crocheting!

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**Estimated Time**: 3-5 hours for experienced beginners  
**Yarn Used**: Approximately 95-100 yards total across all colors