If you're after a quick Christmas crochet pattern that you can use as an ornament, stocking filler, or just as decoration in your cosy Christmas space, then how about hooking up these free Christmas gnome crochet patterns! If you're a bit confused, we're not talking about your average British-style garden gnomes, we're talking about Scandinavian Christmas gnomes!
These little fairy-tale creatures are small bearded men which protect and watch over farmland and animals, however each country has their own names and legends about them. In Norway and Denmark they are called Nisse, in Sweden they're Tomte, and Tontuu in Finland. The term Gonk is also used for these soft toy depictions of these gnomes, although this has origins from Novelty toys in the 1960's. There are a few different connections with these gnomes and Christmas, but in modern times they're gernerally regarded as the bearer of Christmas presents, much like Santa Claus. It's customary to leave out a bowl of porridge for the them on Christmas eve - if you don't then legend has it that they can be a bit mischievous!
This free crochet gnome pattern by Liz Ward is easy to hook up, and you can enjoy mixing and matching the pompoms and yarns to make each crochet gnome unique, working both plain and stripy hats to suit your taste.
If you fancy hooking up some more festove characters, you might also like our fabulous free Amigurumi Santa crochet pattern, or keep it simple with our adorable free amigurumi Christmas pudding crochet pattern!
You will need
Any DK yarn (you could try King Cole Big Value Dk or Sirdar Happy Cotton DK), in following colours
- Red
- Green
- White
- Cream
- Black
Any Fluffy white yarn - for this you could use a standard dk yarn and use a needle to split the twisted strands, or you could try a fur-style yarn like Sirdar Snuggly Bunny, or an eyelash yarn like King Cole Moments DK
4mm (UK 8, US G/6) crochet hook
Measurements
Approx. 13cm (5¼in) tall
Tension
Tension is not critical for this project but stitches should be tight so that stuffing does not show through
Abbreviations
You can find a full list of all abbreviations we use in our abbreviations and conversions guide. This free Christmas gnome crochet pattern is written in UK terminology but you can easily convert it to US terms using the guide.
Notes
These free Christmas gnome crochet patterns are worked using the amigurumi method. Work in a continuous spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. You may find it helpful to place a marker in the first st of each round and move it up as you work.
The hat, head and body are worked in one piece from the top of the hat, with the arms crocheted separately.
Make three elves, starting in your choice of main colour. If you want to make a stripy hat, change colour every two rounds.
Free crochet gnome patterns
Hat, head & body
Start with 4dc into a crochet magic loop.. (4 sts)
Round 1 (Dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (6 sts)
Round 2 (Dc in the first 2 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (8 sts)
Round 3 (Dc in the first 3 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (10 sts)
Round 4 Dc in each st to end. (10 sts)
Round 5 (Dc in the first 4 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (12 sts)
Round 6 Dc in each st to end. (12 sts)
Round 7 (Dc in the first 5 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (14 sts)
Round 8 Dc in each st to end. (14 sts)
Round 9 (Dc in the first 6 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (16 sts)
Round 10 (Dc in the first 7 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (18 sts)
Round 11 (Dc in the first 8 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (20 sts)
Round 12 (Dc in the first 9 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (22 sts)
Round 13 (Dc in the first 10 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (24 sts)
Round 14 (Dc in the first 11 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (26 sts)
Change to Cream for face.
Round 15 Working in blo throughout, (dc in the first 12 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (28 sts)
Round 16 (Dc in the first 13 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (30 sts)
Change to the colour you want the body to be.
Round 17 (Dc in the first 14 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (32 sts)
Round 18 Dc in each st to end. (32 sts)
Round 19 (Dc in the first 15 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (34 sts)
Round 20 Dc in each st to end. (34 sts)
Round 21 (Dc in the first 16 sts, 2dc in the next st); repeat to end. (36 sts)
Rounds 22-24 Dc in each st to end. (36 sts)
Stuff now.
If you like this pattern, then why not take a look at some of our other Christmas crochet patterns:
Round 25 (Dc2tog, dc in next 4 sts); repeat to end. (30 sts)
Round 26 (Dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts); repeat to end. (24 sts)
Round 27 (Dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts); repeat to end. (18 sts)
Round 28 (Dc2tog, dc in next st); repeat to end. (12 sts)
Round 29 (Dc2tog) to end. (6 sts)
Fasten off. Sew closed hole at base.
For hat brim, rejoin yarn in your choice ofcolour to loops created on Round 15.
Round 1 Ch2, (ss in next st, dc in next st, 2htr in next st); repeat to end.
Fasten off and weave in any loose ends.
Arms (make 2)
Using Cream yarn, start with 6dc into a crochet magic loop. (6 sts)
Round 1 Dc2tog, dc in each st to end. (5 sts)
Change to body colour now.
Rounds 2-4 Dc in each st to end.
Fasten off.
Cut off any loose ends and sew arms in place on the body.
Belt
Make one each in your choice of colour
Ch30, fasten off.
Sew belt in place and then embroider a square over front to form a buckle.
Nose
Using Cream yarn, start with 6dc into a crochet magic loop.. (6 sts)
Round 1 2dc into each st to the end. (12 sts)
Rounds 2-3 Dc in each st to end. (12 sts)
Round 4 (Dc2tog) to end. (6 sts)
Stuff now.
Fasten off.
Add hair before sewing nose in place.
Hair
Wrap all the fluffy yarn around a piece of card approx 8cm wide (if you'd like a bigger beard use a wider piece of card and then trim your yarn down to desired length). Cut down one side to create lots of strands the same length.
Separate fluffy strands into three groups – one for each elf. Take one strand as a wrap, and tie it around the middle of the fluffy strands. Fold the fluffy strands in half and sew onto the face.
To finish
Sew the nose over the hair. Trim the hair and style as required. Sew a pompom to the top of the hat to finish.
More Christmas Gnome crochet patterns
If you've enjoyed this pattern and want to get stuck into some more detailed Christmas gnome crochet patterns, then here's a few of our favourites!
Christmas Gnome crochet patterns by HanJanCrochet
We love these adorable Christmas gnomes by Hannah Cross! They’re inspired by traditional Danish Nisse, with pointed hats, long white beards and felted noses. Worked using the amigurumi method, in gorgeous Scandic-Style festive shades of red, cream and grey, the larger gnome is around 45cm tall and his smaller brother is around 39cm tall. Buy the Christmas gnome crochet patterns on Etsy
Christmas Gnome crochet pattern by FireflyCrochets
It's the little details we love most in this cute crochet gnome pattern by Firefly Crochets - those pointy boots, stripy arms and legs, adorable dungarees and the loopy beard all help to make this a unique and super-cute gnome! Buy the Christmas Scandinavian Gnome crochet pattern on Etsy.
Christmas Elf Gnome crochet patterns by JenHayesCreations
If you're loving the idea of these gnomes, but are put off by the beards, then how about these fab Elf gnome crochet patterns by JenHayesCreations. They've got some of the style of traditional Scandinavian gnomes, but with an extra festive elf twist! Buy the Christmas Elf Gnome crochet patterns on Etsy.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this free Christmas gnome crochet pattern, don’t forget if you need any help with your crochet stitches you can always check out our crochet for beginners guide. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, check out our list of the best crochet hooks and the best crochet kits for beginners.
