Amigurumi Gnome Free Crochet Pattern
If you’ve ever scrolled through a craft fair or a cozy home décor shop and spotted those adorable little gnomes with their oversized hats and tiny noses peeking out from between decorations, you already know the magic they bring to any space. Now imagine making one yourself — from scratch, with just a hook and some yarn. That’s exactly what this free amigurumi gnome crochet pattern is here to help you do.
Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter looking for a fun weekend project or someone who’s just getting comfortable with amigurumi techniques, this pattern walks you through every step. By the end, you’ll have a charming little gnome that’s perfect for home décor, gifting, seasonal displays, or just keeping on your desk for a bit of whimsy. Let’s dive in.
What Is Amigurumi?
Before we get into the pattern itself, let’s take a moment to talk about amigurumi for anyone who might be newer to the craft. Amigurumi is a Japanese art form that combines the words “ami” (knitted or crocheted) and “nuigurumi” (stuffed doll). It refers to the technique of crocheting or knitting small, stuffed figures — usually animals or fantasy characters — using tight stitches to create a firm, rounded shape that holds stuffing well.
The technique typically relies on working in continuous rounds rather than joined rows, which creates a seamless, smooth fabric. If you’ve ever made a stuffed animal or a small toy using crochet, you’ve already dabbled in amigurumi. Gnomes are a particularly beloved amigurumi subject because their simple geometric shapes — a cone, a sphere, a cylinder — translate beautifully into the rounded stitch work that amigurumi is known for.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you start crocheting, gather all your supplies. Having everything within reach makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Yarn: You’ll need a small amount of worsted weight yarn in the following colors — a flesh tone or peach for the face, a medium brown or cream for the beard, and your choice of festive or earthy color for the hat and body. Red, forest green, burgundy, and navy all look stunning on gnomes. You can also use multiple colors for a striped or multicolored hat if you want something extra playful.
Hook: A 3.5mm crochet hook works beautifully with worsted weight yarn for amigurumi, as it creates a tighter fabric that keeps the stuffing from showing through. If your gauge runs loose, drop down to a 3.25mm.
Stuffing: Polyfill stuffing is the standard choice and is widely available at craft stores. You want enough to fill each piece firmly without distorting the shape.
Safety eyes: Two 10mm or 12mm black safety eyes give your gnome that classic doll look. If you’re making this gnome for a child under three years old, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead for safety reasons.
Yarn needle: You’ll need a blunt tapestry or yarn needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.
Stitch markers: A few locking stitch markers will help you track the beginning of each round, especially since amigurumi is worked in continuous spirals.
Optional: A small piece of cardboard or a flat button for weighting the base, which helps your gnome stand upright without tipping.
Abbreviations and Stitches Used
This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here’s a quick reference for abbreviations you’ll encounter throughout.
MR — Magic ring (also called a magic loop or adjustable ring)
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook into the front loop of the next two stitches and sc them together — this creates a neater finish than a standard decrease)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
st(s) — Stitch(es)
rnd — Round
rep — Repeat
If you’re unfamiliar with the magic ring or invisible decrease, take a few minutes to practice those before starting. Both techniques are fundamental to clean amigurumi work and will make a noticeable difference in your finished project.
Pattern Notes
This gnome is worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Do not join at the end of rounds — instead, use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.
The finished gnome stands approximately 7 to 8 inches tall with worsted weight yarn and a 3.5mm hook, depending on your tension.
All pieces are stuffed before closing unless otherwise noted.
If you want a taller gnome, you can add extra rounds to the body section. If you want a shorter, rounder gnome, reduce the body rounds by two or three. This pattern is very forgiving and easy to customize.
The Pattern
Part One: The Nose
The nose is a small, firm ball of yarn in your flesh or peach color. It’s one of the defining features of an amigurumi gnome, so take your time getting it nice and round.
Using your flesh-tone yarn, create a magic ring.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Stuff firmly with a small amount of polyfill.
Rnd 4: Dec 6 times around. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread the tail through the remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close, and set aside. Don’t fasten off all the way yet — you’ll use the tail to sew the nose onto the face later.
Part Two: The Head / Face
The face is a small oval or round section that peeks out between the hat and the beard. In a classic gnome design, only a small circle of skin is visible — just enough to anchor the nose and hint at the character beneath.
Using flesh-tone yarn, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnds 6–9: Sc in each st around. (30 sts)
This is the point where you’ll attach your safety eyes if using them. Position them in Round 7 or 8, about 6 to 7 stitches apart. Once the eyes are in place, continue.
Rnd 10: (Sc 3, dec) rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 11: (Sc 2, dec) rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Begin stuffing the head firmly now.
Rnd 12: (Sc 1, dec) rep 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 13: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and fasten off. Weave in ends. Set the head aside — you’ll attach the nose and sew it to the body later.
Part Three: The Beard
The beard is one of the most fun parts of the gnome because it gives you a chance to play with texture. You can crochet it smooth, add fringe, or use a fuzzy yarn for extra charm.
Using your beard-color yarn (cream, white, tan, or gray all work wonderfully), chain 16.
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from hook, sc across. (15 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. (17 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. (19 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc across. (19 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Inc in first st, sc across to last st, inc in last st. (21 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Rows 6–8: Sc across. (21 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Row 9: Dec, sc across to last 2 sts, dec. (19 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Row 10: Dec, sc across to last 2 sts, dec. (17 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Row 11: Dec, sc across to last 2 sts, dec. (15 sts). Ch 1, turn.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. This piece will be attached to the front of the body, covering the lower part of the face and the upper torso. If you’d like to add fringe to the bottom of the beard for texture, cut small lengths of yarn and loop them through the bottom edge stitches using a crochet hook or your fingers.
Part Four: The Body
The body is a simple cylinder that forms the bulk of your gnome. It’s worked in a single color or stripes, depending on your design preference.
Using your body/hat color yarn, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) rep 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnds 7–10: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)
Rnd 11: (Sc 4, dec) rep 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnds 12–14: Sc in each st around. (30 sts)
Rnd 15: (Sc 3, dec) rep 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnds 16–18: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)
At this point, stuff the body firmly. If you’d like to add a cardboard base insert to help the gnome stand, cut a circle of cardboard that fits inside the bottom of the body and slip it in before adding stuffing.
Rnd 19: (Sc 2, dec) rep 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 20: (Sc 1, dec) rep 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 21: Dec 6 times. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and fasten off. The closed end becomes the top of the body where the head will be attached.
Part Five: The Hat
The hat is a tall cone shape, and it’s often the most eye-catching feature of the gnome. You can make it as long or as short as you like by adjusting the number of rounds.
Using your hat color yarn, make a magic ring.
Rnd 1: Work 4 sc into the magic ring. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (8 sts)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) rep 4 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 5: (Sc 2, inc) rep 4 times. (16 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. (16 sts)
Rnd 7: (Sc 3, inc) rep 4 times. (20 sts)
Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. (20 sts)
Rnd 9: (Sc 4, inc) rep 4 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 10: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)
Rnd 11: (Sc 5, inc) rep 4 times. (28 sts)
Rnd 12: Sc in each st around. (28 sts)
Rnd 13: (Sc 6, inc) rep 4 times. (32 sts)
Rnd 14: Sc in each st around. (32 sts)
Rnd 15: (Sc 7, inc) rep 4 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 16: Sc in each st around. (36 sts)
Do not stuff the hat — it works best when it’s flat and drapes naturally. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly
Now comes the satisfying part — putting your gnome together.
Start by sewing the nose onto the center of the face. Position it roughly in the middle of the head piece, between rows 7 and 9, and stitch it securely using the yarn tail. Make a few passes through to ensure it doesn’t wobble or fall off.
Next, sew the head onto the top of the body. The flat, closed end of the body meets the base of the head. Use a yarn needle and matching yarn to whipstitch around the entire join, pulling firmly to create a secure connection.
Now attach the beard. Position the wider end at the top (near the nose) and let it drape down the front of the body. The beard should cover the lower portion of the face, leaving only the eyes and nose visible above it. Stitch the top edge of the beard onto the face and body, working across in a straight line.
Finally, place the hat on top of the head and stitch it down, working around the brim and securing it to the top of the head. You can tilt it slightly to one side for a playful look.
If you’d like to add arms, simply make two small tubes using the same approach as the body in miniature — a magic ring, increase rounds, several straight rounds, then stuff and close — and sew them to either side of the upper body beneath the beard line.
Customization Ideas
One of the greatest joys of crochet patterns is how infinitely customizable they are. Here are some ideas to make your gnome uniquely yours.
You can create seasonal gnomes by switching up the color palette. Reds and greens make a classic Christmas gnome. Pastels with a floppy hat work beautifully for an Easter version. Deep oranges and purples give you a Halloween gnome that looks striking on a mantelpiece. A sky blue and white combination feels instantly wintry and magical.
Adding a sprig of dried lavender or a tiny felted flower to the hat brim can give your gnome a botanical cottage-core feel. A small jingle bell stitched to the tip of the hat adds a festive touch. You can also crochet a tiny mushroom, lantern, or candy cane to tuck into the gnome’s arm area for themed décor.
For texture lovers, substituting a chunky, fluffy yarn for the beard creates an incredibly realistic look. Faux fur yarn and mohair blends are popular choices and are widely available at most yarn retailers.
If you want a gnome family, try making a range of sizes by adjusting the hook size or yarn weight. A bulky yarn with a 6mm hook will give you a large gnome that looks stunning on a front porch, while a fingering weight yarn and a 2mm hook produces a tiny ornament-sized version perfect for a Christmas tree.
Tips for Success
A few practical pointers will help your gnome turn out as polished as possible.
Always work with a tight tension in amigurumi. If you can see gaps in your stitches, go down a hook size. Tight stitches hold stuffing in place and give the finished piece a clean, professional look.
When using the invisible decrease, always insert your hook into the front loops only of the two stitches being decreased. This avoids the bumpy ridge that a standard sc2tog creates on the right side of the fabric.
Stuff your pieces as you go rather than waiting until the end. It’s much easier
