13 Crochet Gnome Free Patterns
Gnomes are everywhere at Christmas, and a crochet gnome is one of the easiest ways to join the fun. Their faces are hidden under a big hat and beard, so you do not need any tricky face shaping. They look great on a tiered tray, on the tree or as a quick gift.
We opened and checked each of these 13 free patterns. There are fluffy faux fur gnomes, tiny ornaments, a wizard, a wine bottle topper, a flat tree gnome and a set of five themed gnomes.
Crochet Gnome Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Crochet hook set (2 mm to 6 mm)
- Worsted weight yarn in red, grey and cream
- Faux fur or fluffy white yarn for beards
- Pom-pom maker set
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Poly pellets or a bag of beans to weight the base
- Stitch markers and yarn needles
1. Gnorman Gnome
Photo: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
Gnorman is a classic Scandinavian-style gnome, about 10 inches tall. His whole base is made with faux fur yarn, so the beard is built in and there is no hair to attach. He has a cream nose, black feet and a red-and-white hat. It is mostly single crochet in rounds, with the fur part worked on a bigger hook.
- Designer: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Super bulky faux fur (#6) plus worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I) and 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Christmas Elf Gnome
Photo: Jen Hayes / Jen Hayes Creations
This little gnome dresses like an elf, with a green tunic, red-and-white striped legs, charcoal shoes and a red hat with pointed green trim and a fuzzy pom-pom. He sits about 4.5 inches without the hat. The pattern uses bobbles, surface crochet and pointed clusters, so it is a fun step up if you know the basics.
- Designer: Jen Hayes / Jen Hayes Creations
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), plus bulky (#5) for the pom-pom
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Gnomes of the Gnorth
Photo: Sue / Mrs. Micawber
These tiny gnomes are only about 3.5 inches tall, with a spiral body and a pointed hat you can make in three different stitch styles. Add a beard and an optional bobble or curlicue on the hat. The designer uses a few unusual techniques, all explained on the page. Make a little crowd of them for a windowsill.
- Designer: Sue / Mrs. Micawber
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Epic Wizard Gnome
Photo: Lindsey / Winding Road Crochet
This one is not just for Christmas. The wizard gnome has a dark grey cape, a wide floppy hat, a long beard and a walking staff with a white orb on top. He is about 5 to 7 inches tall. All pieces are made separately and put together at the end, and the page has video links for the basic stitches.
- Designer: Lindsey / Winding Road Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: see pattern (designer used Red Heart Super Saver)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Puffball Gnome Ornament
Photo: Alexandra Halsey / With Alex
This might be the fastest gnome on the list. The beard is a big yarn pom-pom, and you only crochet a small spiral hat and a tiny nose. The hat hangs over the eyes, with a fuzzy pom-pom on top. The finished ornament is about 4.5 inches tall, so it is perfect for the tree or a gift tag.
- Designer: Alexandra Halsey / With Alex
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Snowflake Hat Christmas Gnome
Photo: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
A cheerful 10-inch gnome with a red hat, a snowflake appliqué, a wrapped fleece beard, brown legs and a little jingle bell. The pattern is tagged for beginners and uses mostly magic ring, single crochet and increases. If you want a full-body gnome with legs and you are still new, start here.
- Designer: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Light worsted (#3) plus white fleece yarn for the beard
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Norbert the Gnome
Photo: Stella Sharafi / Stella’s Yarn Universe
Norbert has a round head, a hat and body in a second color, and a beard and mustache attached strand by strand like doll hair. That gives him a soft, real-looking beard. The pattern is written in both US and UK terms, and video tutorials are linked for each stitch, including the invisible decrease.
- Designer: Stella Sharafi / Stella’s Yarn Universe
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran/worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Heart Gnome Ornament
Photo: Olena / GoldenLucyCrafts
This Nordic-style gnome is made from hearts: the hat, beard and body are all heart shapes. Snowflake buttons or beads decorate the hat, and a hanging loop turns it into an ornament. It is about 5 inches tall and made in cotton yarn. The page includes a video tutorial too. Check the nose hook size before you start.
- Designer: Olena / GoldenLucyCrafts
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) cotton, plus #3 cotton thread for the nose
- Hook: 4.5 mm (7), plus a small steel hook for the nose
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Scandinavian Christmas Gnome Ornament
Photo: Vira Velmozhna / Knitted Story Bears
This one is flat, not stuffed, so it hangs nicely on the tree. It has a red hat, a cream beard, a yellow nose and a grey or red body, all worked in rows and edged with reverse single crochet. It is about 5 inches tall in sport yarn. Make a set in different body colors.
- Designer: Vira Velmozhna / Knitted Story Bears
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Sport (#2)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Corkscrew Gnome Bottle Topper
A gnome that sits on top of a wine bottle. The hat has wire inside so it curls like a corkscrew, and the beard is made with loop stitch. It is about 10 inches tall and 4 inches wide. This is a fun last-minute hostess gift: crochet the gnome, pop it on a bottle, and you are done.
- Designer: Kati / Hooked by Kati (guest post on Oombawka Design Crochet)
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Crochet Korknisse
Photo: Sarah Shrimpton / Annaboo’s House
A korknisse is a little Scandinavian Christmas elf made on a wine cork. You crochet a tiny jumper and hat to fit over the cork, then add buttons or small trims. The same page has a weighted toadstool pattern, which makes a cute home for your gnome. Check that the pieces fit your cork as you go.
- Designer: Sarah Shrimpton / Annaboo’s House
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Little Fino
Photo: Sonia / La calle de la abuela
Fino is a small Tomte-style gnome, about 8 cm (3 inches) without the hat. He has a grey body, a big nose and a red hat with white embroidered stars. The arms are made on their own and sewn on. The pattern is the designer’s own English translation of her Spanish original, worked in spiral rounds.
- Designer: Sonia / La calle de la abuela
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern (cotton, acrylic or wool)
- Hook: 2.5 mm (designer’s choice)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Gnome Family of Five
One basic gnome body, five fun looks: a Christmas tree, Santa, a snowman, a snowflake and a gingerbread gnome. Each one is about 7 inches tall and made in cotton yarn. Since the base is the same, once you make the first one the rest go fast. They look great together on a tiered tray.
- Designer: Kristi Simpson for Lily Sugar’n Cream / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: see pattern (Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton)
- Hook: see pattern
- Price: Free (PDF download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First crochet gnome? Start with #6 or #13. Both are rated easy and use simple stitches.
- Need a quick ornament? Try #5, #9 or #8 for the tree.
- Want a fluffy, trendy gnome? Go for #1 with its faux fur beard.
- Need a hostess gift? #10 sits right on a wine bottle, and #11 uses a cork.
- Want a gnome for all year? #4, the wizard, is not tied to Christmas.
FAQ
How do you make a crochet gnome beard?
There are a few ways. You can use faux fur yarn (#1), loop stitch (#10), a yarn pom-pom (#5) or strands of yarn attached like doll hair and brushed out (#7). Faux fur is the fastest. Brushed yarn takes longer but looks soft and natural.
How do I make my crochet gnome stand up?
Add weight to the bottom. Put a small bag of poly pellets, dried beans or clean pebbles in the base before you stuff the rest. Some patterns also use a flat cardboard or plastic circle in the base so the gnome sits flat and does not tip over.
What yarn is best for crochet gnomes?
Worsted weight acrylic in red, grey and cream works for most patterns. Cotton gives crisp stitches for ornaments. For the beard, pick a fluffy white yarn, faux fur or a soft acrylic you can brush out. Keep the hat and body in strong colors so the gnome stands out.
Pick a gnome or two, gather your scraps, and enjoy a little gnome magic this holiday season.