Knitting Patterns for Christmas Gnomes and Elves

christmas elf and gnome knitting patterns

‘Tis the season for knitting adorable holiday themed gnomes, elves, and other assorted holly jolly creatures. If you’re looking for another fun holiday doll to add to your collection, check out these super sweet Christmas dolls.

The Christmas Elf Toy knitting pattern from KS Craft on Etsy features a boy and girl elf (the bodies are the same but one wears overalls and one has a dress). The dolls are about 11 inches tall and made with DK-weight yarn.

Susan B. Anderson’s New Gnome (available on Ravelry) is worked from the bottom all the way to the tip of the hat in one piece in the round. So many options to make it your own, from using different colors of stripes on the body to different colored hats and beards.

This sweet Christmas elf is called Evan, and he was designed by Llamz Handcrafted on Etsy. He’s a classic helper elf with overalls and striped stockings, and he’s worked in DK weight yarn.

Chatty Cathy Knitting on Etsy has made these adorable Christmas tree gnomes, with lots of options for making them fit your decor. With five design options and two sizes, you’re sure to find the right one to fit. They’re worked in fingering weight yarn but you can use heavier yarn to make them bigger.

And of course, Santa himself is the ultimate elf, so why not stitch a little Santa to add to your collection? The October Santa Claus from Amy Munson on Ravelry is a gnome-like design, worked in the round in fingering or sport weight yarn.

Looking for more Christmas knitting patterns? Check out our dedicated Pinterest Board filled with Christmas knitting patterns.

Christmas gnomes have become wildly popular in recent years, and it’s no surprise why. These little guys are incredibly cute, and they add a touch of whimsy to any home.

Plus, they make a great DIY craft project! Gnomes are easy to make and require only basic materials like felt, stuffing, and yarn. Making your own gnome gives you the freedom to customize it however you want — whether that means including a funny phrase or a special holiday message.

You can even make the gnome look like a family member or friend! Plus, it’s a fun activity for the whole family – or even just for yourself. So if you’re looking for a creative, festive way to spruce up your home this holiday season, why not make your own Christmas gnome? It’s sure to bring a smile to everyone who sees it.

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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