Whimsical Woodland Gnome Free Pattern – A Crocheted Forest Friend

Bring a touch of enchanted forest charm to your home with this adorable crocheted gnome, complete with a fluffy beard and a pointed hat. Perfect for gifting or as a whimsical shelf companion, this pattern is quick to make and endlessly customizable. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or just starting your amigurumi journey, this beginner-friendly project will have you creating a delightful forest friend in no time. With its warm, earthy palette of red, cream, and beige, this gnome is sure to become a cherished handmade treasure.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project uses simple, readily available materials, making it an ideal weekend craft.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in three colors:
  • Red (for the hat)
  • Cream (for the beard)
  • Beige (for the head, body, arms, legs, and nose)
  • Small amount of black yarn (for embroidering the eyes)
• Crochet Hook: 3.5mm (E-4) hook
• Other Tools: Yarn needle, stitch marker, scissors, polyester fiberfill stuffing

Gauge: Gauge is not critical for this project; however, aim for a tight tension to prevent the stuffing from showing through your stitches. If your stitches are loose, consider using a smaller hook.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in continuous spirals unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds. The finished gnome will stand about 5 inches tall.

Head

Start with the beige yarn to create the gnome's face and head.

• R1: Magic ring with beige yarn, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: Inc in each st around. (12)
• R3: (Sc in next st, inc) around. (18)
• R4: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) around. (24)
• R5-7: Sc in each st around. (24)
• R8: (Sc in next 2 sts, dec) around. (18)
• R9: (Sc in next st, dec) around. (12)

Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Body

Continue with beige yarn to form the gnome's plump body.

• R1: Magic ring with beige yarn, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: Inc in each st around. (12)
• R3: (Sc in next st, inc) around. (18)
• R4-6: Sc in each st around. (18)
• R7: (Sc in next st, dec) around. (12)

Stuff the body firmly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the body to the bottom of the head, aligning the decreases.

Hat

Switch to red yarn to create the iconic pointed gnome hat. This is worked in a long spiral that naturally curves.

• R1: Magic ring with red yarn, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: (Sc in next st, inc) around. (9)
• R3: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) around. (12)
• R4: (Sc in next 3 sts, inc) around. (15)
• R5: (Sc in next 4 sts, inc) around. (18)
• R6-8: Sc in each st around. (18)
• R9: (Sc in next 5 sts, inc) around. (21)
• R10-12: Sc in each st around. (21)
• R13: (Sc in next 6 sts, inc) around. (24)
• R14-16: Sc in each st around. (24)
• R17: (Sc in next 7 sts, inc) around. (27)
• R18-20: Sc in each st around. (27)
• R21: (Sc in next 8 sts, inc) around. (30)
• R22-24: Sc in each st around. (30)
• R25: (Sc in next 9 sts, inc) around. (33)
• R26-28: Sc in each st around. (33)
• R29: (Sc in next 10 sts, inc) around. (36)
• R30-32: Sc in each st around. (36)
• R33: (Sc in next 11 sts, inc) around. (39)
• R34-36: Sc in each st around. (39)
• R37: (Sc in next 12 sts, inc) around. (42)
• R38-40: Sc in each st around. (42)
• R41: (Sc in next 13 sts, inc) around. (45)
• R42-44: Sc in each st around. (45)
• R45: (Sc in next 14 sts, inc) around. (48)
• R46-48: Sc in each st around. (48)
• R49: (Sc in next 15 sts, inc) around. (51)
• R50-52: Sc in each st around. (51)
• R53: (Sc in next 16 sts, inc) around. (54)
• R54-56: Sc in each st around. (54)
• R57: (Sc in next 17 sts, inc) around. (57)
• R58-60: Sc in each st around. (57)
• R61: (Sc in next 18 sts, inc) around. (60)
• R62-64: Sc in each st around. (60)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff the hat. Fold the hat slightly to one side to give it that charming floppy look, then sew it to the top of the head, covering the crown. The hat should sit just above the eyes.

Beard

Using the cream yarn, cut 12 strands, each about 6 inches long. Attach them as fringe around the face, starting from the bottom of the hat and going down to the chin. To attach, fold each strand in half, insert your hook through a stitch on the face, pull the loop through, and then pull the ends through the loop. Tighten gently. Trim the beard to shape, making it slightly rounded at the bottom.

Nose

Create a small, round nose with beige yarn.

• R1: Magic ring with beige yarn, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: Inc in each st around. (12)
• R3: Sc in each st around. (12)

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff lightly with a tiny bit of fiberfill. Sew the nose to the center of the face, just below the hat and above the beard.

Eyes

Using the black yarn and a yarn needle, embroider two small French knots or satin stitches above the nose, about 2 stitches apart. Position them symmetrically for a cute, expressive face.

Arms (Make 2)

Create two stubby arms with beige yarn.

• R1: Magic ring with beige yarn, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2-5: Sc in each st around. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the arms slightly and sew them to the sides of the body, about halfway down.

Legs (Make 2)

Create two small legs with beige yarn.

• R1: Magic ring with beige yarn, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: Inc in each st around. (12)
• R3-4: Sc in each st around. (12)

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff lightly. Sew the legs to the bottom of the body, spacing them evenly so the gnome can sit or stand.

Finishing Touches

Weave in all ends using your yarn needle. Give your gnome a final fluff and shape adjustment. Your whimsical woodland gnome is now complete and ready to bring a bit of forest magic to your shelf, desk, or gift box!

Happy crocheting! Feel free to customize your gnome with different colors, add a little mushroom or lantern, or even make a whole gnome family. The possibilities are endless.