The Gnome Hollow Nordic Squares Blanket: A Free Knitting Pattern for Cozy Winter Nights

Imagine curling up under a blanket that feels like a storybook come to life. The Gnome Hollow Nordic Squares Blanket is exactly that—a whimsical, textured knitted throw featuring 16 individual gnome squares, each framed by a snowy, forest-green border. This free pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to create a heartfelt, handmade gift or a centerpiece for their own winter evenings. With its charming gnome motifs, warm color palette, and satisfying modular construction, this blanket is a joy to knit and a treasure to snuggle under.

Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner ready for a rewarding challenge, this pattern breaks down into manageable squares, making it a portable and achievable project. Let's dive into the magic of Gnome Hollow!

Materials Needed

Before you begin your knitting adventure, gather the following supplies. The quality of your materials will greatly impact the final look and feel of your blanket.

Yarn

• Worsted weight yarn in 4 colors (approximately 1800 yards total):
• Color A (Forest Green): For the background and border (approx. 900 yards)
• Color B (Cream): For gnome beards and bodies (approx. 400 yards)
• Color C (Rust Red): For gnome hats and accents (approx. 300 yards)
• Color D (Charcoal): For gnome boots and details (approx. 200 yards)

Pro Tip: Choose a soft, durable wool blend for the best stitch definition and cozy warmth.

Needles & Notions

• US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles (straight or circular, depending on your preference)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming
• Stitch markers (optional, but helpful for tracking pattern repeats)
• Scissors

Gauge

20 stitches x 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always knit a gauge swatch to ensure your blanket matches the intended dimensions (approximately 32 inches x 32 inches before bordering).

Step-by-Step Instructions

This blanket is constructed from 16 individual 8-inch squares. Each square features a unique gnome motif, but they all follow the same basic structure. Once you master the first square, you can easily customize the rest with the variations provided.

Square Pattern (Make 16)

Foundation: With Color A (Forest Green), cast on 40 stitches.

Bottom Border:

• Rows 1-4: Knit all stitches (this creates a garter stitch border).

Main Body Setup:

• Row 5 (Right Side): Knit 4, purl 32, knit 4. (The 4 knit stitches on each side form the side borders.)
• Row 6: Knit all stitches.

Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until the piece measures 7 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row (a purl row).

Gnome Motif (Worked over the center 32 stitches)

Now we begin the fun part! The gnome is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) while maintaining the 4-stitch garter border on each side. Follow the written instructions below carefully.

Gnome Body (Rows 1-20)

• Row 1 (RS): Knit 4 (A), switch to Color B (Cream), knit 32, switch to Color A, knit 4.
• Row 2 (WS): Knit 4 (A), with Color B purl 32, knit 4 (A).
• Rows 3-4: Continue in Color B, maintaining the border.
• Row 5 (RS): Knit 4 (A), switch to Color C (Rust Red), knit 32, knit 4 (A).
• Rows 6-8: Continue in Color C, maintaining the border.
• Row 9 (RS): Knit 4 (A), switch to Color B, knit 32, knit 4 (A).
• Rows 10-12: Continue in Color B.
• Row 13 (RS): Knit 4 (A), switch to Color D (Charcoal), knit 32, knit 4 (A).
• Rows 14-16: Continue in Color D.
• Row 17 (RS): Knit 4 (A), switch to Color B, knit 32, knit 4 (A).
• Rows 18-20: Continue in Color B.

Gnome Hat (Rows 21-28)

This is where we shape the iconic pointed hat with decreases.

• Row 21 (RS): Knit 4 (A), switch to Color C, knit 32, knit 4 (A).
• Row 22 (WS): Knit 4 (A), with Color C purl 32, knit 4 (A).
• Row 23 (RS): Knit 4 (A), with Color C: knit 2, k2tog (knit two together), knit 24, k2tog, knit 2, knit 4 (A). (You now have 30 stitches in the center.)
• Row 24 (WS): Knit 4 (A), with Color C purl 22, knit 4 (A). (30 stitches total on needle.)
• Row 25 (RS): Knit 4 (A), with Color C: knit 2, k2tog, knit 16, k2tog, knit 2, knit 4 (A). (26 stitches.)
• Row 26 (WS): Knit 4 (A), with Color C purl 18, knit 4 (A). (26 stitches.)
• Row 27 (RS): Knit 4 (A), with Color C: knit 2, k2tog, knit 10, k2tog, knit 2, knit 4 (A). (22 stitches.)
• Row 28 (WS): Knit 4 (A), with Color C purl 14, knit 4 (A). (22 stitches.)

Finishing the Square

• Rows 29-32: Switch back to Color A (Forest Green) and knit all stitches for the top border.
• Bind off loosely in knit. Weave in all ends securely.

Creating 16 Unique Squares: Variations

To make your blanket visually stunning, don't knit all 16 squares identically! Here are four delightful variations to mix and match:

• Classic Gnome (4 squares): Follow the pattern exactly as written above.
• Gnome with Star (4 squares): In the center of the gnome's body (around Rows 9-12), use a small amount of yellow yarn to knit a 4x4 stitch star motif. Simply substitute the yellow yarn for the background color in that specific area.
• Striped Hat Gnome (4 squares): In the hat section (Rows 21-28), alternate between Color C and Color B every 2 rows instead of using only Color C.
• Lantern Gnome (4 squares): In the body section (around Rows 13-16), add a small orange rectangle (e.g., 4 stitches wide by 6 rows tall) to represent a lantern the gnome is holding.

Tip: Keep a notebook to track which variation you're knitting to ensure you have 4 of each!

Assembly: Seaming Your Squares

Once all 16 squares are complete and blocked (see below), it's time to assemble them.

1. Layout: Arrange your squares on a flat surface in a 4x4 grid. Alternate the different gnome variations to create a balanced, harmonious look.
2. Seaming: With right sides together, use a mattress stitch to sew the squares together. First, sew the squares into 4 horizontal rows (sewing 4 squares together per row). Then, sew the 4 rows together to form the complete blanket.

Adding the Border

The border frames your beautiful work and gives it that polished, "snowy" edge.

1. Pick up stitches: With Color A (Forest Green), pick up and knit stitches evenly around the entire perimeter of the blanket. Pick up approximately 1 stitch for every bound-off stitch on the top and bottom, and 3 stitches for every 4 rows along the sides.
2. Knit the border: Work 6 rows of garter stitch (knit every row). On every row, increase at each of the 4 corners by knitting into the front and back of the corner stitch. This creates a neat, mitered corner.
3. Bind off: Bind off loosely to prevent the edges from pulling.

Final Touches

1. Weave in all ends: Use your tapestry needle to carefully hide any remaining yarn tails.
2. Block your blanket: This is a crucial step! Wet block or steam block the blanket to even out the squares, open up the stitches, and give it a professional, flat finish. Pin it to the desired dimensions and allow it to dry completely.

And there you have it—your very own Gnome Hollow Nordic Squares Blanket! This heirloom-quality piece is sure to be a conversation starter and a beloved companion for many winters to come. Happy knitting!