The Enchanted Forest Gnome Home: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Whimsical Doorstop
Bring a Touch of Woodland Magic to Your Home
Have you ever wanted to add a little whimsy to your everyday life? This free knitting pattern for an Enchanted Forest Gnome Home doorstop is the perfect project to do just that. Combining the cozy art of amigurumi with practical home decor, this textured, weighted doorstop looks like a tiny, magical dwelling straight out of a storybook. With its rustic brown walls, mossy green roof, and charming crocheted details like a tiny door and window, this project is a joy to make and a delight to display. It’s an ideal weekend project for intermediate knitters looking to try something unique and rewarding.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the exact yarn weight and needle sizes will ensure your finished doorstop matches the intended size and gauge.
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in earthy tones:
- Brown (for base and walls) – approximately 100 yards
- Green (for roof) – approximately 80 yards
- Tan (for door) – small amount
- White (for window and mushrooms) – small amount
- Black (for doorknob and window cross) – small amount
- Orange (for mushroom caps) – small amount
- Needles & Hooks:
- US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
- US G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook (for details)
- Other:
- Tapestry needle for sewing and embroidery
- Polyester fiberfill or dried beans (for weight)
- Stitch markers (optional)
- Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (with US 7 needles). Always check your gauge for best results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This pattern is knitted flat in pieces and seamed together, with crochet details added at the end. The finished doorstop is approximately 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide. Read through all instructions before beginning.
Abbreviations
- K = knit
- P = purl
- K2tog = knit two together (decrease)
- SSK = slip slip knit (decrease)
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
- St(s) = stitch(es)
- Ch = chain (crochet)
- Sc = single crochet
- Dc = double crochet
- Sl st = slip stitch
Base (Knitted)
The base forms the bottom of the doorstop. It is knitted flat and shaped with decreases.
- With brown yarn, CO 30 sts.
- Row 1: Knit across.
- Row 2: Purl across.
- Repeat rows 1-2 until piece measures 6 inches from cast-on edge. End with a purl row.
- Next row (decrease): K2tog across. (15 sts)
- Next row: Purl across.
- Next row: K2tog across. (8 sts)
- BO all sts. This forms the bottom of the base. Set aside.
Walls (Knitted)
The walls form the main cylindrical body of the gnome home.
- With brown yarn, CO 40 sts.
- Work in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) for 4 inches. End with a purl row.
- BO all sts. This forms the main wall piece. Set aside.
Roof (Knitted)
The roof is a cone shape, knitted with decreases to create a layered, mossy look.
- With green yarn, CO 40 sts.
- Row 1: Knit across.
- Row 2: Purl across.
- Row 3 (decrease): K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 sts, SSK, K1. (38 sts)
- Row 4: Purl across.
- Repeat rows 3-4 until 10 sts remain. End with a purl row.
- BO all sts. This forms the cone-shaped roof. Set aside.
Door (Crochet)
A small rectangular door adds charm to the front of the home.
- With tan yarn and crochet hook, ch 6.
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (5 sc). Ch 1, turn.
- Rows 2-6: Sc across. (5 sc). Ch 1, turn.
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches) for sewing.
Window (Crochet)
A circular window with a cross-stitch detail adds a cozy feel.
- With white yarn, make a magic ring.
- Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring, join with sl st to top of ch 2. (12 dc)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
- With black yarn, embroider a cross in the center of the window using a tapestry needle.
Mushroom Details (Crochet)
Make two small mushrooms to place beside the door.
- Stem (make 2): With white yarn, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring. Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join. (6 sc). Round 2: Sc in each st around. (6 sc). Fasten off, leaving a tail.
- Cap (make 2): With orange yarn, ch 3. Work 4 dc in 3rd ch from hook (the chain closest to the hook). Fasten off, leaving a tail.
- Assembly: Sew the cap onto the stem. Set aside.
Assembly
Now it’s time to bring all the pieces together. Use a tapestry needle and matching yarn for seaming.
- Sew the wall into a tube: Match the short edges of the wall piece (the 4-inch sides). Seam them together using a mattress stitch or whip stitch. This creates a tube.
- Attach the base: Pin the base to the bottom edge of the wall tube, matching the cast-on edge of the base to the tube's bottom edge. Sew around the entire circumference using a whip stitch. Leave a small opening (about 2 inches) for stuffing.
- Attach the roof: Pin the roof to the top edge of the wall tube. The cast-on edge of the roof should align with the top of the tube. You may need to gather the roof slightly to fit evenly. Sew around using a whip stitch. Leave a small opening for stuffing.
- Add the door: Position the door in the center of the front of the wall, about 1 inch from the bottom. Sew it in place using the long tail left from the door.
- Add the window: Sew the window above the door, centered. Use the long tail from the window.
- Add the mushrooms: Sew the two mushrooms near the door, one on each side.
- Embroider the doorknob: With black yarn, make a small French knot or a few straight stitches in the center of the door to create a doorknob.
- Stuff the doorstop: Fill the doorstop with polyester fiberfill or dried beans (for extra weight) through the openings. Ensure it is firmly stuffed but not overstretched. Sew the openings closed.
Finishing
- Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle. Trim any excess yarn.
- Block gently if desired, following the yarn label instructions. This helps even out stitches and gives a polished look.
Your Enchanted Forest Gnome Home doorstop is now complete! Place it by a door to keep drafts out, or use it as a charming decorative piece on a shelf or table. Enjoy your little piece of woodland magic!
