Master Crochet Gnome: Easy Free Pattern!

ByEmila Lorein

Welcome, fellow crocheters! Get ready to create the most charming little gnome with this free, easy-to-follow master class. Designed for those with basic crochet skills, this pattern will guide you step-by-step to craft a delightful gnome toy, approximately 28cm tall using the suggested materials.

Finished Crochet Gnome Preview

Materials Needed:

  • Yarn: YarnArt DOLCE (or a similar chunky/velvet yarn for a soft, plush feel)
  • Crochet Hook: Size 4mm (or appropriate size for your yarn to achieve a tight fabric)
  • Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill
  • Yarn for Beard: Alize Softy (or similar fuzzy/fluffy yarn)
  • Eyes: Half-beads (suggested size: 8-10mm)
  • Tools: Tapestry needle, Scissors, Fabric glue (for eyes)

Abbreviations:

  • Ch: Chain stitch
  • Sl st: Slip stitch
  • Sc: Single crochet
  • Inc: Increase (work 2 single crochets into the same stitch)
  • Dec: Decrease (single crochet 2 together)
  • Dc: Double crochet
  • BLO: Back loop only
  • 2ch, 6sc: Chain 2, then work 6 single crochets into the second chain from the hook (creates a method similar to a magic ring)
  • (…): Indicates the stitch count at the end of the round/row

Important Note: The Legs, Body, and Head are all crocheted as one continuous piece. Remember to stuff your gnome firmly as you go to ensure a nice shape!

Legs + Body + Head (One Piece Construction)

Crochet Gnome with White Shirt and Striped Arms

Legs (Make 2)

Begin with your chosen boot color yarn.

  1. 2ch, 6sc (6)
  2. 6 inc (12)
  3. (Sc, inc) x 6 (18)
  4. BLO 18 sc (18)
  5. – 6. 18 sc (18)
  6. 6 dec, 6 sc (12)
  7. 12 sc (12). Change yarn to your chosen pants color.
  8. (Sc, inc) x 6 (18)
  9. – 11. 18 sc (18)

For the first leg: Make a sl st to join, cut the yarn, and fasten off. Weave in the tail.

Close-up of Finished Crochet Gnome's Face

For the second leg: Crochet the same way. Do NOT cut the yarn. Continue to the next section to join the legs.

Tip for Joining: Before joining, you might need to crochet a few extra single crochets on the second leg to position your hook correctly so that when you join, both legs face straight forward.

Joining Legs and Crocheting the Body

With the yarn still attached to your second leg, we will now join it to the first leg and begin crocheting in rounds around both. Ensure the starting point of your round is centered at the back of the gnome.

  1. Crochet 18 sc around the first leg, then 18 sc around the second leg (total 36)
  2. (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
  3. – 18. 42 sc (42)
Gnome Body in Progress - Front View
Gnome Body in Progress - Side View
  1. (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
  2. 36 sc (36)
  3. (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
  4. 30 sc (30). Change to white yarn (for the shirt/collar).
  5. 30 sc (30)
  6. (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
  7. – 26. 24 sc (24)
  8. (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18). Change to beige yarn (for the head/skin tone).

Crocheting the Head

  1. 18 inc (36)
  2. (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
  3. (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)
  4. – 35. 48 sc (48)
  5. (6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)
  6. (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
  7. (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
  8. (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
  9. (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
  10. (Sc, dec) x 6 (12)
  11. 6 dec (6). Fasten off, cut the yarn, leaving a tail to sew the hole closed. Weave in the end securely.

Nose

Using beige yarn:

  1. Ch 5. Starting from the second chain from the hook: Work inc in the 2nd ch, 2 sc in the next 2 chains, 3 sc in the last chain. Now working on the other side of the starting chain: 2 sc in the next 2 stitches, inc in the last stitch. (12)
  2. 6 dec (6). Fasten off, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.
Crochet Gnome Nose Example

Arms (Make 2)

Stuff lightly as you crochet. Start with your chosen mitten color yarn.

  1. 2ch, 6sc (6)
  2. 6 inc (12)
  3. 12 sc (12)
  4. Work 3 Dc together (this creates a small thumb-like cluster), 11 sc (12)
  5. 12 sc (12)
  6. Dec, 4 sc, dec, 4 sc (10). Change color to white yarn.

Now, we will create stripes by alternating colors (optional, but follows the original pattern):

  1. – 8. With white yarn: 10 sc (10)
  2. Change to mitten color: 10 sc (10)
  3. – 11. With white yarn: 10 sc (10)
  4. Change to mitten color: 10 sc (10)
  5. – 14. With white yarn: 10 sc (10)

Fold the arm flat, then crochet 5 sc through both layers to close the opening. Fasten off, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Crochet Gnome Arms with Stripes
Finished Crochet Gnome with Hat and Beard

Hat

Start with your chosen hat color yarn.

  1. Ch 45. Join with a sl st to the first chain to form a ring. Ch 1. Work 44 sc around the ring (into each chain). Join with a sl st. (44)
  2. – 4. Ch 2 (counts as 1st Dc), work 43 Dc around. Join with a sl st. (44)
  3. Ch 2, (20 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (42)
  4. Ch 2, work 41 Dc around. Join with a sl st. (42)
  5. Ch 2, (19 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (40)
  6. Ch 2, (18 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (38)
  7. Ch 2, (17 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (36)
  8. Ch 2, (16 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (34)
  9. Ch 2, (15 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (32)
  10. Ch 2, (14 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (30)
  11. Ch 2, (13 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (28)
  12. Ch 2, (12 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (24)
  13. Ch 2, (11 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (22)
  14. Ch 2, (10 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (20)
  15. Ch 2, (9 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (18)
  16. Ch 2, (8 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (16)
  17. Ch 2, (7 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (14)
  18. Ch 2, (6 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (12)
  19. Ch 2, (5 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (10)
  20. Ch 2, (4 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (8)
  21. Ch 2, (3 Dc, dec) x 2. Join with a sl st. (6)
  22. Ch 2, work 6 Dc dec (Dc 2 together repeated 3 times). Join with a sl st. (6). Fasten off, cut the yarn, leaving a tail to close the top of the hat.

Hat Edging: Using white yarn, attach to the starting chain edge of the hat. Work two rows of Dc around the brim for a decorative border.

Crochet Gnome Hat in Progress

Pom-pom

Using your chosen pom-pom yarn (e.g., same as the hat color or a contrasting color):

  1. 2ch, 6sc (6)
  2. 6 inc (12)
  3. (Sc, inc) x 6 (18)
  4. – 7. 18 sc (18)
  5. (Sc, dec) x 6 (12)
  6. 6 dec (6). Fasten off, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly before completely closing.
Crochet Gnome Pom-pom Example

Assembly and Finishing Touches

Now for the most exciting part – bringing your gnome to life with all its charming details!

  1. Attach the Pom-pom: Sew the pom-pom securely to the very tip of the hat using the long tail you left.
  2. Position the Hat: Place the hat on your gnome’s head. You can lightly secure it with a few stitches if you wish, or leave it removable for different looks.
  3. Attach the Arms: Using the long tails, sew the arms to the sides of the gnome’s body, just below the white collar/neck area.
  4. Attach the Nose: Sew the nose to the center of the gnome’s face, positioning it slightly below the brim of the hat.
  5. Add the Beard: Cut several strands of Alize Softy yarn to your desired beard length. Using your crochet hook, loop individual strands into the stitches of the gnome’s face directly below the nose, creating a full and fluffy beard. Trim and shape the beard as desired.
  6. Glue the Eyes: Carefully glue the half-bead eyes above the nose, peeking out from under the hat. Allow glue to dry completely.
  7. Final Decorations: Feel free to add any extra personal touches! This could include small embroidered details, blush for rosy cheeks, or tiny buttons on the gnome’s clothes.

And there you have it – your very own charming crochet gnome, ready to bring a touch of whimsy to any space!

Side View of Finished Crochet Gnome

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