Project introduction
This overview covers the Crochet Christmas Elf Gnome by Jen Hayes Creations. The designer describes him as a good little helper with a mischievous streak, the sort who might sneak a hand into the cookie jar. He is presented as a source of holiday cheer for a home or a workspace, and as something that can be used as a decoration, given as a gift, or handed to a child to play with.
The same designer also offers a Crochet Santa Gnome, which the source suggests as a companion piece to sit beside the elf on a mantelpiece. The full instructions live with the designer at the Original designer’s pattern and instructions, where the web version is free to read.
Already Have Something on Your Hook?
If you want to come back to this one later, the designer suggests saving it to a Pinterest board or adding it to your Ravelry queue.
The Inspiration
The main reason the designer made this gnome was to surprise a friend. That friend loves Christmas and owns one of the most impressive elf collections the designer has seen. The plan was to hand the finished gnome over as a gift, and the designer admits to being impatient about waiting for the right moment.
The source then turns the question around: what colors will you choose, and will the finished gnome stay with you, go to someone else, or do both?
The Yarn
This project continues the designer’s habit of working with Caron Simply Soft, the same yarn family used for the Gnome Norbin Nibbleweed and the Crochet Santa Gnome. Caron Simply Soft is a worsted weight, size 4 acrylic yarn sold in a wide range of color lines, including solids, heathers, tweeds, ombres, brites, stripes, paints, speckles, camos and party shades.
Most of the construction uses the solid option, while the heather shades cover the shoes and the belt buckle. The designer singles out the slight sheen of this yarn as a fitting extra touch for a Christmas piece, and mentions spending a long time shaping the shoes before being happy with the result.
A small amount of Bernat Pipsqueak goes into the pom-pom. It is a snuggly, fuzzy bulky size 5 yarn, 100 percent polyester, available in several solid and print options. The label says it can be washed and dried, but the designer does not recommend machine washing amigurumi and suggests spot cleaning and air drying instead. Makers new to this type of yarn can look at the blog post 20 Tips for Crocheting With Furry Yarn.
On substitutions, any worsted weight brand should work as long as every yarn in the project is the same thickness, since even one weight can vary between brands. Other fur yarns may be used with different results, and the furry pom-pom can be swapped for a store-bought or handmade regular pom-pom or, as the designer suggests, a small jingle bell.
The Pattern Overview
Difficulty
The stated skill level for this crochet project is Intermediate.
Materials
You will need a size E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook. Essential tools include stitch markers, scissors, stuffing, a tapestry needle, pins, and a needle. An optional disc puller and a chopstick or dowel help with stuffing small areas.
The yarn requirements are specific. Use Caron Simply Soft solids for Colors A through C and E. Use Caron Simply Soft Heathers for Color D and Color F. Finally, use Bernat Pipsqueak for the pom-pom, listed in the source as Color (D) Vanilla. Approximate yardages vary by color, so check the original link for exact estimates per shade.
Access Options
The source indicates that the web version of the pattern is free to read. It also mentions an ad-free PDF option, implying a paid format distinct from the free web access.
- Color A: Bone or Taupe (approx. 65 yds)
- Color B: Dark Sage (approx. 76 yds)
- Color C: Autumn Red (approx. 70 yds)
- Color D: Charcoal Heather (approx. 25 yds)
- Color E: Off White (approx. 15 yds)
- Color F: Grey Heather (approx. 2 yds)
- Color (D): Vanilla, Bernat Pipsqueak (approx. 4 yds)
Gauge
Using the recommended hook, the first six rounds of the body should measure approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Achieving this gauge ensures the proportions match the design intent.
Finished Measurements
Worked with the size E/4 (3.5 mm) hook, the gnome measures about 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) in the sitting position without the hat. Sitting with the hat, the height is roughly 7 inches (18 cm) when the hat is bent and about 10 inches (25 cm) when it is straight. The hat measurements do not include the legs.
Design Notes
The pattern uses US terminology and is worked primarily in continuous rounds. Placing a stitch marker at the start of each round is crucial for tracking progress. Row-based sections are clearly noted within the instructions.
Stitch counts appear in parentheses after each round or row. Color changes occur during the last step of the previous stitch. A slip stitch usually begins the new color to hide joins, though a single crochet can substitute. Dark Sage is the primary color in the written pattern, and an elf worked in Autumn Red as the primary color is also pictured. The two colors can be swapped throughout, with everything else staying the same.
Abbreviations/Stitches Used
Familiarize yourself with these standard abbreviations before starting. They ensure smooth reading of the pattern text.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| bo | Bobble |
| ch | Chain |
| dc | Double Crochet |
| sc | Single Crochet |
| sc2tog | Single Crochet Two Together |
| sl st | Slip Stitch |
| tr | Treble Crochet |
| yo | Yarn Over |
Special Stitches
The bobble stitch (bo) creates a puffy texture. A 3dcbo uses three half-finished double crochets worked into one stitch, then joined at the end as a single stitch.
For a 3dcbo, yarn over and insert the hook into the stitch. Pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through two loops. Work that sequence two more times in the same stitch. To finish, yarn over and pull through all four loops on the hook.
Let’s Make Our Crochet Christmas Elf Gnome!
Nose
The nose is a small, stuffed piece made once. It starts with six single crochets in a magic circle. Increases expand the shape, followed by even rounds. Decreases close the top firmly.
Stuffing must be firm to maintain the rounded profile. The opening is closed tightly with a long tail left for attachment. This piece sets aside until the body is ready.
Body
The body forms the central structure. It begins in Dark Sage and switches to Taupe or Bone for the face area. The nose is joined seamlessly to the body during specific rounds.
Construction involves increasing from six stitches to forty-eight. Even rounds build the torso length. Decreases close the bottom hole securely. Stuffing happens progressively to ensure a solid shape.
Making the Tunic
The tunic is worked in turned rows using Dark Sage. It attaches to the front loops marked earlier on the body. A standing single crochet begins the first row.
Decreases taper the sides of the tunic. Five rows create a simple shirt shape. Fastening off leaves tails for weaving in. Centering the tunic under the nose is vital for symmetry.
Adding the Decorative Trim to the Tunic
Autumn Red yarn adds trim around the tunic edges. Slip stitches outline the neckline and bottom hem. This detail defines the garment against the body.
The invisible finish connects the start and end points. This technique ensures a seamless look. Weaving in ends keeps the interior clean and professional.
Belt
The belt is a rectangular strip worked in Charcoal. It starts with a chain of fifty-two. Single crochets fill the rows across the back bar of the chain.
Fit is checked against the body circumference. Adjustments to the chain count may be needed. A long tail remains for sewing the belt closed later.
Belt Buckle
The buckle is a tiny square made in Grey Heather. It consists of three short rows of four stitches. This piece mimics a metal clasp visually.
It is attached to the center of the belt. Whip stitching creates the illusion of a hole in the middle. This adds realistic detail to the accessory.
Attach the Buckle to the Belt
Find the belt’s center by folding it in half. Place the buckle precisely in the middle. Stitch along the left and right sides to secure it.
Use Charcoal yarn to whip stitch the center. Leave a border to define the square hole. This step completes the belt assembly before attaching collars.
Add the Collars to the Belt
Collars are worked in Dark Sage onto the belt. Ten stitches on either side of the buckle serve as anchors. Turned rows create triangular shapes.
Decreases narrow the collar tips. Front loop work helps define the edge. Both left and right collars mirror each other for balance.
Adding the Decorative Trim to the Collars
Surface crochet in Autumn Red outlines the collars. This technique adds a raised V-stitch edge. Hand embroidery is an alternative option.
Insert the hook from the wrong side to the right. Pull loops through carefully to avoid knots showing. Ends are woven into the back of the belt.
Ears
Two ears are made in Taupe or Bone. They start with six single crochets and increase gradually. Complex shaping creates a pointed, organic form.
Decreases close the ear tip. A long tail allows for stitching to the head. Positioning behind the hat brim is key for realism.
Hand and Arm (One Piece)
Arms are worked as single units in Taupe or Bone. The hand portion is stuffed, while the arm tube remains open. A bobble stitch adds thumb detail.
Dark Sage covers the upper arm. The tube is flattened and stitched closed. Long tails attach the arms to the body sides.
Making the Cuff
Cuffs are added to the arms in Autumn Red. Worked into front loops, they feature pointed clusters. This decorative edge finishes the sleeve look.
Standing single crochets begin the round. Clusters alternate with slip stitches. Fastening off secures the cuff neatly.
Shoe and Leg (One Piece)
Legs and shoes are combined pieces. The shoe is worked in Charcoal Heather, while the leg alternates Off White and Autumn Red. The shoe toe is shaped with rows and rounds.
Color changes happen mid-round to hide seams. The leg tube is flattened at the top. Long tails attach the feet to the body base.
Making the Cuff
Leg cuffs are made in Dark Sage. They sit above the striped leg section. Pointed clusters mirror the arm cuff style.
Work into front loops for stability. Eight clusters complete the round. This detail ties the outfit together visually.
Hat
The hat is a large cone in Autumn Red. It increases steadily from six stitches to seventy. Even rounds build the height.
Pointed trim in Dark Sage finishes the brim. Twelve clusters create a jagged edge. Blocking may be used to shape the points further.
Pom-Pom for the Hat
A pom-pom tops the hat in Vanilla. Made from Bernat Pipsqueak, it is fuzzy and soft. Light stuffing gives it volume.
Close the hole with a tapestry needle. Attach to the hat tip with Autumn Red yarn. A bell is a suggested alternative option.
Assembly
Pinning all pieces before sewing ensures proper placement. The belt wraps above the tunic. Arms attach near the collar edges.
Legs sit flush against the body bottom. The hat sits on top of the nose, leaving the nose visible under the brim. Ears tuck behind the hat points for natural positioning.
Crochet Gnome Towel Topper: Pattern Overview
Crochet Christmas Star Ornament Pattern-& Easy: Pattern Overview
Reach Out, Share, and Follow Along!
Sharing your finished elf is welcome. You can comment on the post or tag the designer on social media. Jen Hayes Creations can be found on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram (tag @jenhayescreations and use #jenhayescreations for a chance to be featured), and YouTube. Subscribing to the newsletter keeps you informed about new patterns, techniques, tutorials, and giveaways. This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) for personal, non-commercial use only.
