Enchanted Forest Gnome Doorstop: A Free Knitting Pattern for Whimsical Home Decor

Bring a touch of woodland whimsy to your home with this charming knitted gnome doorstop. Featuring a textured cream beard, a cozy rust-orange pointed hat, and a sturdy forest green body, this project is the perfect way to add a handmade accent to any room. Whether you're propping open a door or simply displaying it on a shelf, this cheerful gnome is sure to spark joy. Best of all, this pattern is beginner-friendly, using only basic knit and purl stitches with simple increases and decreases. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project uses worsted weight yarn, which is easy to work with and widely available at craft stores.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Forest Green (for the body) – approximately 100 yards
  • Cream (for the face patch and beard) – approximately 60 yards
  • Rust Orange (for the hat) – approximately 40 yards
  • Small amount of black yarn or embroidery floss (for the eyes)
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
• Notions: Yarn needle for seaming, scissors, stitch markers (optional), and poly pellets or dried beans for weighting the doorstop.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge to ensure the correct size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This doorstop is knitted in flat pieces and seamed together. It uses basic knit and purl stitches with simple increases and decreases. Follow each section carefully, and you'll have your gnome assembled in no time.

Body (Knit in one piece from bottom to top)

The body is shaped like a tapered cone, starting wide at the bottom and narrowing to a gathered point at the top (the head).

1. With forest green yarn, cast on 40 stitches.
2. Work in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) for 20 rows. This forms the base of the doorstop.
3. Shape the body:
   Row 21 (Right Side): K2, k2tog (knit two together), knit to the last 4 stitches, ssk (slip, slip, knit), k2. (You will have 38 stitches.)
   Row 22 and all even-numbered rows: Purl across.
4. Repeat the decrease row (Row 21 pattern) every other row until you have 20 stitches remaining. This creates the tapered shape.
5. Work even (no decreases) for 10 rows in stockinette stitch. This forms the neck area.
6. Shape the head:
   Next Row (Right Side): K1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. (You will have 18 stitches.)
   Purl one row.
7. Repeat these last two rows until you have 10 stitches remaining.
8. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches). Thread the tail through a yarn needle, then pass it through the remaining 10 stitches on your needle. Slide the stitches off the needle, pull the tail tight to gather the top of the head, and secure with a knot. Do not cut the tail yet – you'll use it for seaming.

Face Patch (Knit flat)

This small oval will be the gnome's face.

1. With cream yarn, cast on 12 stitches.
2. Work in stockinette stitch for 10 rows.
3. Bind off all stitches. Weave in the ends. This forms the face patch.

Beard (Knit flat)

The beard is a textured triangle that sits below the face.

1. With cream yarn, cast on 20 stitches.
2. Row 1 (Right Side): Knit across.
   Row 2: Purl across.
3. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 3 inches from the cast-on edge.
4. Shape the beard:
   Next Row (Right Side): K2, k2tog, knit to the last 4 stitches, ssk, k2. (You will have 18 stitches.)
   Purl one row.
5. Repeat these last two rows until you have 6 stitches remaining.
6. Bind off all stitches. This creates a triangular beard shape that tapers to a point.

Hat (Knit flat)

The hat is a long triangle that folds over jauntily.

1. With rust orange yarn, cast on 30 stitches.
2. Work in stockinette stitch for 6 rows.
3. Shape the hat:
   Row 7 (Right Side): K1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. (You will have 28 stitches.)
   Purl one row.
4. Repeat these last two rows until you have 10 stitches remaining.
5. Next Row (Right Side): K2tog across. (You will have 5 stitches.)
6. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 5 stitches, pull tight to gather the top of the hat, and secure.

Assembly: Bringing Your Gnome to Life

Now that all pieces are knitted, it's time to sew them together. Take your time with the seaming to ensure a neat finish.

1. Sew the body seam: Using the long tail from the top of the head, sew the side seam of the body using a mattress stitch or whip stitch, leaving the bottom edge open. You should have a cone shape.
2. Weight the body: Fill the body with poly pellets or dried beans to give it heft. Fill it about ¾ full so it's sturdy but not rock-hard. Once filled, sew the bottom edge closed using the yarn tail or a new piece of green yarn. Weave in the end.
3. Attach the face patch: Position the cream face patch on the front of the body, about 2 inches below the gathered top (the head). Center it horizontally. Using a whip stitch and cream yarn, sew it securely around all edges. Weave in the ends.
4. Attach the beard: Place the beard just below the face patch, with the pointed end facing downward. The top edge of the beard should slightly overlap the bottom of the face patch. Sew it securely around the edges using cream yarn. Weave in the ends.
5. Attach the hat: Sew the hat onto the top of the head, covering the gathered area. Position it so the seam is at the back. Fold the hat slightly to one side for a jaunty, whimsical look. Sew it in place around the base of the hat using rust orange yarn. Weave in the ends.
6. Embroider the eyes: Using black yarn or embroidery floss, embroider two small French knots or straight stitches onto the face patch for the eyes. Place them about 1 inch apart, centered horizontally. Weave in the ends.
7. Final touches: Weave in any remaining loose ends. Gently shape your gnome, fluffing the beard and adjusting the hat.

Congratulations! You've just created a delightful Enchanted Forest Gnome Doorstop. This project is not only functional but also a beautiful piece of knitted home decor. Place it by a door, on a bookshelf, or give it as a handmade gift. Happy knitting!