Description
This project creates a charming fall gnome using crochet techniques, transforming simple plastic water bottles into decorative home accents.
Ingredients
- Worsted weight yarn, weight 4 medium, in rust, mustard, cream, and brown or charcoal – about 180 total yards
- H-8 crochet hook (5.0 mm)
- Polyester fiberfill – about 2 ounces (57 g)
- Yarn needle with a blunt tip
- Sharp scissors
- One stitch marker (optional)
- Tape measure
- One small wooden bead, felt circle, or safety nose for the face
- Small scrap of cardboard, about 3 inches wide (7.5 cm), for making the hat pom-pom
Instructions
- Make a magic ring with rust yarn. Work 6 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Pull the ring closed.
- Work 2 sc in each stitch around for 12 stitches. Continue with 1 sc in the next stitch and 2 sc in the following stitch around for 18 stitches.
- Continue shaping the body with 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat around for 24 stitches.
- Work 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch, repeating around for 30 stitches.
- Work 8 rounds of 1 sc in each stitch around, keeping 30 stitches in every round.
- Begin narrowing. Work 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, then a decrease over the next 2 stitches. Repeat around for 24 stitches.
- Work 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then 1 decrease over the next 2 stitches, repeating around for 18 stitches. Add a small amount of polyester fiberfill now.
- Work 1 sc in the next stitch, then 1 decrease over the next 2 stitches, repeating around for 12 stitches. Add more stuffing and shape the body.
- Finish the body by working 6 decreases around for 6 stitches, then fasten off, leaving a 12 inch (30 cm) tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the remaining stitches and pull closed.
- Make the hat with rust or mustard yarn. Chain 2 and work 6 sc into the second chain from the hook. Work 2 sc in each stitch around for 12 stitches.
- Work 1 sc in the next stitch and 2 sc in the next stitch around for 18 stitches. Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 6 rounds, changing to mustard yarn after the third round if desired.
- Shape the hat brim by working 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2 sc in the next stitch, repeating around for 24 stitches.
- Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 24 stitches. Work 1 sc in the back loop only around to make the brim fold.
- Work 2 more rounds of 1 sc in each stitch around, then fasten off.
- Make the beard with cream yarn; cut 12 strands, each 6 inches (15 cm) long. Fold each strand in half and pull through a stitch near the lower front of the hat.
- Make the nose by wrapping brown or peach yarn around two fingers 15 times, tying tightly, and trimming into a small round shape. Sew to the front of the body.
- Place the hat on the body and sew it in place. Add a pom-pom to the tip if desired. Weave in every remaining end.
Notes
For gifting, create a gnome in the recipient’s favorite fall colors.