Crochet Cat Gnome: Pattern Overview

A crocheted black cat gnome with a tall black pointed hat, pink inner ears, a cream muzzle, a pink nose, embroidered whiskers and pink paw pads, sitting on a light surface in front of a blurred wooden background.

Project introduction

This overview introduces the Crochet Cat Gnome, a whimsical amigurumi project designed by Jen Hayes of Jen Hayes Creations. The pattern offers two distinct variations: one featuring a beard and another with a muzzle. This design choice allows makers to customize their gnome based on personal preference or thematic needs.

A key feature of this pattern is its construction method. Many parts, such as the tail, arms, ears, and nose (for the bearded version), are joined directly to the body as you crochet. The source notes this leaves only the feet and the muzzle to stitch on separately.

Already Have Something on Your Hook?

If you are ready to start this project, you can save the original instructions for later use. Pinning the pattern ensures easy access when you return to your craft table. Alternatively, adding it to your Ravelry queue helps track your progress alongside other projects in your library.

The Inspiration

Crocheted black cat gnome with a tall pointed hat, pink inner ears, pink nose, cream beard and pink paw pads, sitting on a dark wooden surface with blurred books behind it.

Crochet cat gnome photographed close up against a plain gray background: dark charcoal pointed hat with two pink lined cat ears, cream muzzle with pink nose and stitched closed eyes, and a long cream yarn beard covering the body.

A single gray crochet cat gnome sitting on a plain light gray surface, wearing a pointed hat with two cat ears, a white muzzle and a long white beard, with cream colored paws and tail tip.

Crochet gray cat gnome photographed from behind on a plain light background, showing a pointed hat, a small ear, a cream colored beard and a curved tail.

Single grey crocheted cat gnome with a pointed hat, cat ears and a long white beard, sitting on a wooden table in a softly lit room.

The Crochet Cat Gnome was conceived as a companion for the Crochet Witch Gnome. The designer felt that a witch needed a black cat just as much as she needed her broom. This thematic pairing inspired a feline friend that fits within the witch’s cottage aesthetic.

During the design process, several sketches and crocheted variations were explored. The final result includes two options because the designer enjoyed having choices. Makers are encouraged to share their finished cats by tagging the creator on social media.

The Yarn

A crochet cat gnome in charcoal gray yarn with a tall pointed hat, pink lined cat ears, a pink nose, a cream fringe beard and paws with pink pads, photographed from the side against a plain cream background with a soft textured mat.

Close-up of a crochet cat gnome with a purple pointed hat, grey-trimmed pink ears, a pink nose and a long cream yarn beard, photographed against a plain brown background.

The sample gnomes were made using Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft, a popular worsted weight acrylic yarn known for its softness and wide color selection. The designer chose Charcoal Heather for the black fur, Soft Pink for the nose, paws and inner ears, and Off White for the muzzle and beard accents, noting that pure black can be difficult to photograph and may strain the eyes during stitching.

Substitutions: any brand of worsted weight acrylic yarn should work well, though finished size may vary slightly between brands. A worsted cotton yarn should also work fine. If mixing brands, ensure the yarn thickness matches to maintain consistent stitch definition, and make any necessary hook size adjustments for different-sized yarns.

A miniature version was also created using Size 10 crochet thread and a 1.50 mm hook. This smaller gnome omits the pipe cleaner in the tail, uses beard strands cut at 3 inches (7.6 cm) instead of 6 inches (15 cm), and requires 3 strands of embroidery floss instead of 6 for detailing.

The Pattern Overview

A single crochet cat gnome with a tall pointed hat, pink-lined ears, a cream muzzle with closed eyes and whiskers, and pink paw pads, sitting on a light wood table next to balls of dark grey, pink and cream yarn, with a wooden crochet hook

Difficulty

This pattern is classified as Intermediate difficulty. It involves working in continuous rounds, seamless joins, and shaping techniques such as bobbles and decreases.

Materials

To begin this project, gather the following supplies:

Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) (Clover Amour hooks are used by the designer)
Stitch Marker(s)
Scissors
Stuffing
Pins
Tapestry Needle
Embroidery Floss (DMC 413 Dark Pewter Grey for the muzzle and whiskers; DMC 818 Baby Pink for the paws)
Embroidery Needle
Dritz Disc Needle Pullers (optional)
Pipe Cleaner (color coordinating with yarn for tail)
Chopstick or dowel to assist with stuffing tiny components
Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft Heathers line, Color (A) Charcoal Heather, a worsted weight 4 medium acrylic skein containing 250 yards (228 meters) and weighing 5 oz (141 g)
Yarnspirations Caron Simply Soft standard line, Colors (B) Soft Pink and (C) Off White, a worsted weight 4 medium acrylic skein containing 315 yards (288 meters) and weighing 6 oz (170 g)

Note that the miniature version requires a 1.50 mm hook and Size 10 crochet thread instead of worsted yarn.

There Are Two Variations of the Crochet Cat Gnome to Choose From!

Crochet cat gnome in charcoal grey with a pointed hat, pink inner ears, pink nose, cream muzzle with stitched whiskers and pink paw pads, a pink yarn tail and a tapestry needle resting on the surface beside it.

Crocheted cat gnome in dark grey with pink inner ears and pink nose, a long white yarn beard, seated on a white surface with small scissors and a strand of cream yarn nearby

Makers can choose between a bearded gnome or a muzzled gnome. The approximate yarn usage for each variation is listed below. You are also welcome to experiment with your own favorite color combinations.

Color	Muzzle Version Usage	Beard Version Usage
(A) Charcoal Heather	approx. 195 yds/178 m	approx. 195 yds/178 m
(B) Soft Pink	approx. 28 yds/26 m	approx. 28 yds/26 m
(C) Off White	approx. 6 yds/5.5 m	approx. 28 yds/26 m

Gauge

Gauge is measured by the diameter of the first few rounds of the body. For the standard version using a 3.5 mm hook and worsted yarn, the first 6 rounds measure approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. For the miniature version using a 1.50 mm hook and Size 10 thread, the first 4 rounds measure approximately 9/16 inch (1.4 cm) in diameter.

Finished Measurements

The completed dimensions depend on the yarn weight and hook size used. The standard Cat Gnome stands approximately 10 inches (24 cm) tall when the hat tip is straight up. The Miniature Cat Gnome measures approximately 4.75 inches (12 cm) tall under the same conditions.

Design Notes

The pattern is written in English using US crochet terminology. It is primarily worked in continuous rounds unless rows or working in the edge of a row are specified. Placing a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of each round and moving it up at the start of each new round is recommended to keep track of your progress. Stitch counts are provided in parentheses at the end of each round or row. Further design notes and tips appear throughout the pattern to help with construction. Color changes should occur during the last step of the previous stitch.

Abbreviations/Stitches Used

Familiarize yourself with these common abbreviations before starting:

approx.: approximately
back bar of the ch: horizontal bar on the backside of a ch
BLO: work in the back loop only
bo: bobble (specifically a 4dcbo)
ch: chain
FLO: work in the front loops only
invisible finish
MR: magic ring (aka. magic circle, adjustable ring)
Rnd(s): round(s)
Row(s): row(s)
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together (use the invisible decrease)
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
[ ]/( ): work instructions between brackets/parenthesis as many times as directed

Special Stitches

The pattern uses a 4 double crochet bobble (4dcbo). To create it, yarn over and insert the hook into the next stitch, then repeat the process three more times into the same stitch to accumulate five loops on the hook before pulling through all of them to finish the bobble. This stitch forms the toe pads on the feet.

Let’s Make Our Crochet Cat Gnome!

A single crochet cat gnome with a dark gray pointed hat, pink inner ears, a cream muzzle with a pink nose, and pink paw pads, sitting on a light wood table next to a ball of gray yarn, a wooden crochet hook, and an unfinished crocheted bask

You can make either the bearded or the muzzled version from the same base pattern. Work the same way for both versions unless the pattern directs you to choose between the two options.

Tail

The tail is worked in Color A. An optional pipe cleaner can be inserted so the tail can hold different positions. The piece begins with a magic ring or chain alternative and continues in single crochet rounds until it is decreased and fastened off.

Hand and Arm

Two small dark grey crocheted tube shapes lying on cream fabric, each with two short pink embroidered lines on the rounded end, next to an embroidery needle threaded with pink yarn and loose strands of dark yarn.

Two hand and arm pieces are made in Color A. The hand is firmly stuffed, while the arm is lightly stuffed near the top. Optional paw lines can be embroidered using 6 strands of DMC 818 or Color B yarn.

Nose

The nose is crafted in Color B, starting with a flat triangle worked in rows, then joined in rounds along the edges. It is firmly stuffed. For the bearded version, stitch markers are placed so the nose can be joined seamlessly to the body.

Muzzle

If making the muzzle version, create an oval shape in Color C using both sides of a starting chain. Adjustments in the second round keep the oval even. Fasten off with a long tail for sewing.

Stitching the Nose to the Muzzle and Adding Whiskers

Center the nose on the muzzle and secure it with a tapestry needle. Add whiskers using 6 strands of DMC 413 or Color A yarn, placing three lines on each side of the nose and a mouth line below.

Ears

Ears are made as separate inner and outer pieces and then joined. The inner ear uses Color B, while the outer ear uses Color A. They are assembled by single crocheting the edges together.

Inner Ears

Two small pink crocheted triangular inner ear pieces worked in rows, placed side by side on a plain light gray surface.

Make two inner ears in Color B. Work in rows, increasing at the ends to form a triangular shape. Fasten off and weave in ends once the piece reaches 10 stitches across.

Outer Ears

Two charcoal grey crocheted triangular ear pieces resting on a light wood surface, one still holding a crochet hook in its working loop.

Make two outer ears in Color A using the same row structure as the inner ears. Do not fasten off; instead, prepare to join them with the inner ears.

Joining the Inner and Outer Ear Together

A hand holding a small pink crocheted triangle with a black crocheted edge, a crochet hook inserted through the top corner, against a plain beige fabric background.

Place the inner ear on top of the outer ear. Single crochet around the edges to join them, ensuring the corners align. Fasten off after completing the bottom edge stitching.

Feet

Two feet are made, starting with Color B and switching to Color A. Bobbles are added to represent toe pads. The foot is firmly stuffed and finished with a long tail for attaching to the body.

Body

Two side-by-side photos of a dark gray crocheted piece on a wooden surface: on the left a purple-handled crochet hook joins the tail to the top of the round body, and on the right the tail is joined to the body with an orange stitch marker

Close-up of a dark charcoal crocheted amigurumi body with a small tail joined at the side, a vertical line of orange yarn marking the seam, resting on light fabric.

Dark grey crocheted gnome body seen from above, with two arms, two legs and a tail joined to a round torso, small light stitches on the paws, laid flat on a grey fabric background.

The body is worked in Color A, increasing from a magic ring to 48 stitches. The tail and arms are joined seamlessly to the body during specific rounds, reducing the need for separate sewing.

Rnds 23-28 differ depending on if the muzzle or beard is being used to make the Crochet Cat Gnome.

Black crocheted amigurumi body in progress with a small pink crocheted nose piece attached to the front, resting on a plain beige surface.

Dark charcoal crocheted gnome body with a pink crocheted nose piece attached to the front and an orange stitch marker clipped near it, on a plain gray background.

For the muzzle version, rounds 23 through 28 are simple single crochet. For the bearded version, the nose is joined seamlessly to the body during rounds 23 and 24, followed by plain rounds.

Continuing For Both Crochet Cat Gnome Options

Close-up of hands holding a dark gray crocheted gnome body while a purple crochet hook joins a crocheted ear to it, with pink stitch markers marking the muzzle area and loose yarn ends hanging down.

Corps de gnome chat au crochet en fil gris anthracite, deux oreilles jointes de chaque côté du haut et un museau rose en forme de coeur, posé sur une surface en bois grisé.

Ears are joined to the body upside down in round 29. After the ears are added, the body is stuffed and decreased to close the top opening securely.

Hat

Crocheted dark grey hat with a rounded crown, a short point on top and a wide flat brim, resting on a light wooden surface.

The hat is worked from the top down in Color A. It features openings for the ears and a brim added in the final rounds. Use an invisible finish to close the hat neatly.

Beard

For the bearded gnome, cut lengths of Color C yarn and loop them around stitches on the body under the nose area. Trim, unravel or brush the strands to achieve the desired look.

Assembly

Black crochet cat gnome seen from behind with a cream muzzle, pink nose and a long yarn beard held in place by colorful pins, sitting on a light wood surface.

Back view of a dark charcoal crochet cat gnome with a pointed witch hat, small ears, short arms, a curled tail and a few light strands showing at the side, sitting on a wooden surface.

Pin all pieces to determine placement before sewing. Attach the muzzle (if used), feet, and hat. If you want the hat to stay in place permanently, invisibly tack it to the body in a few places above the brim.

Original designer’s pattern and instructions

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