Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Gonk Gnome Knitting Patterns

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Sometimes I find interesting things in the terms that people are searching on the website. Most of the time them make sense, but other times I’m scratching my head. When “gonk gnomes” turned up, I had to search it to learn that gonks aren’t really gnomes. They’re from Nordic and Scandinavian mythology and are kind of a mix of a gnome and a hobgoblin.

So I don’t know if these gnome knitting patterns really all qualify as gonk gnomes, but I assume it’s the personality that you give them that will decide that.

First of course I have to share this knitting gnome from Sharon Mooney, which you can find on Ravelry. It uses DK weight yarn and while it’s a small project (5.5 inches or 14 cm tall without the hat) there are a lot of techniques packed in, including cables (on the scarf the gnome is knitting), increasing and decreasing, stranded colorwork, knitting flat and in the round, making bobbles (its nose) and I-cord (the legs).

Hélène Magnússon’s Kertasnikiris more specifically a Yule Lad in the Icelandic tradition, who traditionally comes to your house on Dec. 24 and tries to steal your candles (his name means “Candle beggar”). I love all the details on this one, too. His little colorwork boots are the best! A variety of yarns are used for all the different parts, and this one measures 16 inches/40 cm tall. You can find it on Ravelry.

Lots of gonk gnome knitting patterns are seasonal, whether Christmas or some other holiday. You’ll find autumn gonk gnomes from Tanya Oakley Designs on Etsy, and she also has more spring and summer versions decorated with flowers.

January Knits’ rainbow gnomes aren’t necessarily seasonal, but in their pastel colors as shown they’d be lovely for spring, or you could make a set in jewel tones for fall.

I also feel like if you knit gnomes you have to give them a story. Like what are the gnomies by Huggable Bears doing? They look like a bunch a friends headed to the park or something.

If you don’t want to come up with the story on your own, try knitting up Someone to Write Gnome About from Imagined Land Knits. This one’s name is Gnock, and her favorite thing is reading in her hammock.

Or how about Gnana by Sarah Schira? This gnome reminds me of Baba Yaga and looks like she’s cooking up something interesting. The pattern uses fingering weight yarn and includes colorwork on the body and a removable cloak (it’s not safe in the kitchen with a cloak on!). The pattern includes a recipe, coloring page, decorative envelope and storybook file so you can learn all about your new gnome. This one is available from Ravelry.

Have you read?

Totoro Knitting Patterns

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles. 

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram. 

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm. 

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world). 

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry. 

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.