February Monthly Mini: Valentine's Day Gnome

Monthly Mini February 2024:

 Mini Gnome Crochet Pattern

SKILL LEVEL: Easy

Measurements: Approximately 3 inches tall x 2 inches wide 

ABBREVIATIONS:

BLO = Back Loop Only

CH  = Chain

DEC = Decrease (Single Crochet 2 Together)

HDC= Half Double Crochet

INC = Increase (Increase = 2 SC in same ST)

SC  = Single Crochet

ST(S) = Stitch(es)

Joined Rounds: To join rounds you will slip stitch to the first stitch of the round and chain 1. The chain 1 at the beginning of the new round will not count in the stitch count.

Have questions or need a little help? Stitch along with me! Visit the following link for a video demonstration on how to make this Mini Gnome start to finish:

Mini Gnome Video Demonstration

Hat:

Begin with the E hook and desired color of yarn. The gnome’s hat will be worked in joined rounds, the CH 1 after the join in each round will not count in the stitch count.

Round 1: 3 SC in MR. Join with SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1. (3 SC made)

Round 2: (1 INC in each SC around). Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1. (6 SC made)

Round 3: 1 SC in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1. (6 SC made)

Round 4: (1 SC in next ST, 1 INC next ST) Repeat around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1. (9 SC made)

Round 5: (1 SC in next 2 STS, 1 INC next ST) Repeat around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1. (12 SC made)

Round 6: (1 SC in next 3 STS, 1 INC next ST) Repeat around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1. (15 SC made)

Round 7: 1 SC in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1. (15 SC made)

Round 8: 1 SC in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1. (15 SC made)

Round 9: (1 SC in next 4 STS, 1 INC next ST) Repeat around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC of the round, CH 1 and turn the hat to work Round 10 counter clockwise. (18 SC made) *Note, since you are turning your work and moving in the opposite direction when you stitch in the front loop for Round 10 the actual front loop will be in the back-see video if you need clarification.

Round 10: **FLO SL ST next ST, 2 FLO HDC next ST. Repeat from ** ending with a FLO SL ST in the final ST of the round. Join with a SL ST to the 1st SL ST of the round. Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn for sewing.

Gnome Body:

Begin with the E hook and desired color of yarn. The gnome’s body will be worked in continuous rounds.

Round 1: 6 SC in MR. (6 SC made)

Round 2: (1 INC in each SC around). (12 SC made)

Round 3: (1 SC in next ST, 1 INC next ST) Repeat around. (18 SC made)

Round 4: (1 SC in next 5 STS, 1 INC next ST) Repeat around. (21 SC made)

Round 5: 1 BLO SC in each ST around. (21 BLO SC made)

Round 6:  (1 SC in next 5 STS, 1 DEC next STS) Repeat around.  (18 SC made)

Round 7: (1 SC in next 4 STS, 1 DEC next STS) Repeat around. (15 SC made)

Round 8: (1 SC in next 3 STS, 1 DEC next STS) Repeat around. (12 SC made)

Round 9: (1 SC in next 2 STS, 1 DEC next STS) Repeat around. (9 SC made)

Round 10: 1 SC in each ST around. (9 SC made)

Stuff the body with fiberfill now.

Round 11: (1 SC in next ST, 1 DEC next STS) Repeat around. Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn for weaving the body closed.

Arms (make 2):

Using the E hook and desired color of yarn. The arms will be worked in continuous rounds.

Round 1: 4 SC in MR. (4 SC made)

Rounds 2-4: 1 SC in each ST around. (4 SC, each round) After completing Round 4 turn and place 2 SC across the round to close. Fasten off and leave a tail of yarn for sewing. 

Legs (make 2):

Using the E hook and desired color of yarn. The legs will be worked in continuous rounds.

Round 1: 6 SC in MR. (6 SC made)

Rounds 2-3: 1 SC in each ST around. (6 SC, each round) Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn for sewing.

Finishing:

1. First we will create the gnome’s beard. Cut 7 pieces of white yarn approximately 4 inches in length. Sit the hat on top of the gnome’s body, simply to determine the front center of the hat. Next, keeping in mind where the front center of the hat will be, take the hook up under one of the back loops of Round 10 that you determine to be at the very center. Take one of the cut pieces of white yarn and fold it at the middle (the ends touching). Use the hook to pull the folded over yarn piece from the middle, partially up through the back loop of the center stitch to create a loop. Bring both ends of the yarn piece  through the loop and gently pull to tighten. Repeat this step with three stitches to the left of the center, and three stitches to the right (7 in total). Once all of the white strands of yarn are in place to form the beard, use the yarn needle to gently separate each strand. Finally, stuff the hat with a small amount of fiberfill. Take care not to overstuff the hat. Set aside.
2. Thread the yarn needle with the tail of yarn left on the gnome body. Pass the needle in and out of the front loops of Round 11 to whip stitch the body closed, pull the yarn tail gently to close the top. Pass the yarn tail through the body to secure and trim away excess.
3. Set the hat on top of the gnome’s body. Using the tail of yarn left for sewing on the hat begin to secure the hat to the body by passing the threaded needle through a stitch in Round 9 of the hat and up under a stitch in the body. Continue all the way around, taking care not to pull to tightly to avoid causing the body to dimple. Once secure, pass the needle through the body and trim away the excess yarn.
4. Next, secure the legs to each side of the gnome’s body. Using the tail of yarn left for sewing, secure one leg between Rounds 4 and 5. The legs will help the gnome sit upright so take care not to place them to far forward on the body.  Trim away excess yarn once sewn in place.
5. Using the yarn tail left for sewing, secure one arm to each side of the body. Trim away excess yarn once sewn in place.
6. Finally, using white glue (or glue of your choice), glue a pompom just under the hat, in the center of the beard for the nose. I use a touch of make-up blush to make the pompom nose look rosy in color. Trim the white strands of the beard to the desired shape.
7. A final finishing option is to decorate the gnome any way you want! In the sample I place small sequins on the hat for decoration.

Thanks for stitching along with me. I hope you enjoyed making the mini Gnome with me!