The Mossy Glen Gnome Family Free Pattern – Knit a Whimsical Woodland Trio

Bring a touch of enchanted forest charm to your home with this adorable knitted gnome family, complete with pointy hats and fluffy beards. Each gnome is quick to knit and makes a perfect gift or seasonal decoration. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just starting your amigurumi journey, this pattern is designed to be accessible, rewarding, and utterly delightful. Let's create a cozy woodland scene together!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Having everything ready will make your knitting session smooth and enjoyable.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Moss green (for the body)
  • Rust orange (for the hat – or substitute with mustard yellow or teal for variety)
  • Cream (for the face)
  • Soft brown (for the shoes)
  • White fluffy yarn (for the beard)
• Knitting Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. (Don't worry if you're slightly off – these gnomes are forgiving!)
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery, polyester fiberfill stuffing, and stitch markers (optional but helpful).

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked flat in pieces and then seamed together. We'll make three gnomes, each with a slightly different hat color for a charming family set. Let's get started!

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together (decrease)
• Kfb: Knit front and back (increase)
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side

Note: Work in stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) unless otherwise stated. Each gnome is worked flat in pieces and seamed.

Gnome Body (Make 3 – one for each gnome)

1. Cast On: CO 24 stitches with moss green yarn.
2. Row 1 (RS): Kfb across – you will now have 48 stitches.
3. Rows 2-10: Work even in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) for 9 rows.
4. Row 11 (RS): K2tog across – you will now have 24 stitches.
5. Row 12 (WS): Purl all stitches.
6. Row 13 (RS): K2tog across – you will now have 12 stitches.
7. Finish: Cut yarn, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches). Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then pass it through the remaining 12 stitches on your knitting needle. Slide the stitches off the needle, pull the yarn tight to gather the top, and secure with a knot.
8. Seam: Use the same tail to sew the side seam of the body, leaving the bottom open. Turn right side out and stuff firmly with polyester fiberfill. Set aside.

Gnome Head (Make 3)

1. Cast On: CO 12 stitches with cream yarn.
2. Row 1 (RS): Kfb across – you will now have 24 stitches.
3. Rows 2-8: Work even in stockinette stitch for 7 rows.
4. Row 9 (RS): K2tog across – you will now have 12 stitches.
5. Finish: Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure as you did for the body.
6. Seam: Sew the side seam, leaving the bottom open. Turn right side out and stuff lightly – the head should be softer than the body. Set aside.

Gnome Hat (Make 3 – vary colors for each gnome)

1. Cast On: CO 30 stitches with your chosen hat color (e.g., rust orange for the first gnome).
2. Rows 1-6: Work even in stockinette stitch for 6 rows.
3. Row 7 (RS): K2tog, knit to the last 2 stitches, K2tog – you will now have 28 stitches.
4. Row 8 (WS): Purl all stitches.
5. Repeat: Repeat Rows 7-8 until you have 10 stitches remaining. (This will take about 9 repeats, creating a nice tapered point.)
6. Next Row (RS): K2tog across – you will now have 5 stitches.
7. Finish: Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.
8. Seam: Sew the side seam, leaving the bottom open. Turn right side out. Fold up the brim slightly (about ½ inch) for a classic gnome look. Set aside.

Gnome Shoes (Make 6 – 2 per gnome)

1. Cast On: CO 10 stitches with soft brown yarn.
2. Row 1 (RS): Kfb across – you will now have 20 stitches.
3. Rows 2-4: Work even in stockinette stitch for 3 rows.
4. Row 5 (RS): K2tog across – you will now have 10 stitches.
5. Finish: Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.
6. Seam: Sew the side seam, leaving the bottom open. Turn right side out and stuff lightly. Set aside.

Assembly – Bringing Your Gnome to Life

Now for the fun part – putting it all together! Follow these steps for each gnome.

1. Attach Head to Body: Using a tapestry needle and the yarn tail from the head, sew the head securely to the top of the body. Make sure it's centered and sits snugly.
2. Attach Hat: Sew the hat to the top of the head, slightly angled for a whimsical look. The brim should sit just above the face.
3. Attach Shoes: Position the shoes at the bottom of the body, one on each side. Sew them on securely, making sure they're evenly placed so your gnome can stand.
4. Create the Beard: Cut several strands of fluffy white yarn, each about 3 inches long. Using a tapestry needle, attach the strands to the face area (just below the hat brim) by pulling each strand halfway through the knitted fabric and tying a small knot. Continue until you have a full, bushy beard. Trim the beard to your desired length.
5. Add the Face: Embroider two small eyes using black yarn or embroidery floss. Place them just above the beard. You can also add a tiny nose by embroidering a small circle with the cream yarn or a contrasting color.

Repeat for all three gnomes, varying the hat colors (e.g., rust orange, mustard yellow, and teal) to create a delightful family set. Once complete, your Mossy Glen Gnome Family will be about 6 inches tall – perfect for a shelf, mantelpiece, or as a heartfelt handmade gift.

Enjoy your knitting, and may your home be filled with woodland whimsy!