A Year of Gnomes

A monthly gnome square was published each month in 2021. I call it “A Year of Gnomes“.

See more "Year of..." series

Interlocking & Mosaic

Each monthly gnome square comes with the fully written pattern and charts for both interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet.

The original mosaic crochet option used the same charts as the interlocking crochet option (so you can see the mesh dots) but a solid, adjusted overlay mosaic option was later added so each month’s gnome now has three pattern files.

Learn more about these techniques at https://ashleeslint.com/tutorials/interlocking-and-mosaic-crochet/.

See original post about free Banner Patterns!
See post about new solid, adjusted mosaic crochet option & get your free Banner Pattern!

Size

These gnome squares are included in my large squares category.

The interlocking crochet and original overlay mosaic crochet squares have a chart size of 81 x 81.

The solid, adjusted overlay mosaic crochet option has a chart size of 77 x 77 because we don’t need the extra border lines that were used to lock the two layers of mesh together.

Original post from February 2021

A few weeks ago, you may remember, I published a pattern called “Gnomesflake” on Ravelry and Etsy. Gnomes seem to be very popular right now. And, yes, I agree, they are cute! I like it when they can’t see past their giant hats.

When I was drawing that pattern (Gnomesflake) I played around with a few different gnome designs. I thought it would be pretty cute to do a monthly gnome. Does it count as an impromptu, year-long CAL (Crochet-A-Long) then?

Large Squares

I also really like these oversized afghan squares (chart 81 x 81). I feel like it’s a manageable size (instead of a big, overwhelming blanket). And I like that it makes it easy to use lots of colors in one blanket.

I definitely prefer to use the interlocking technique when making these squares. It is quicker for me and there are no tails to worry about.

I do like the way the envelope border looks around a mosaic project. And you can easily join two bordered squares. But it seems like a lot of extra work, in my opinion.

These squares also work well as pillows, and if I was to use the overlay mosaic crochet technique for a pillow I would just tuck the tails inside. No border, no weaving in ends.

Monthly Series

I was a little slow in getting January’s Gnome published. I’ve just published both January and February tonight. I will publish a new gnome each month this year.

The eBook on Ravelry will be updated each month. Etsy doesn’t have a system for updating listings so I will have to email you each month’s new pattern as it comes out.

Promotions

These offers are now expired. 

I have a few promotions on Ravelry for these new squares:

*buy January Gnome, get February Gnome free (you must add both to your cart)

*buy the ebook, “A Year of Gnomes” and the earlier pattern, “Gnomesflake” and get a discounted price (past purchases count! If you already bought Gnomesflake just add the new eBook to your cart and you should see a discount!)

Both of these promotions end February 17, 2021 11:59 pm.

If you’re an Etsy-only shopper, these are 30% off until February 17, 2021 11:59 pm:

Promotion Links
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A Year of Gnomes EBook Bonuses

As you read above, each gnome square can be purchased on its own or you can grab the eBook with all 12 monthly gnome squares.

Purchasing the eBook (on Ravelry or Etsy) will save you 40% versus buying each large square separately.

You’ll also receive an all-in-one blanket pattern as a BONUS! This blanket pattern is not available separately.

The blanket can be done using whichever technique you prefer. Each technique’s file includes the fully written pattern as well as charts.

The blanket has all 12 gnome squares laid out from top to bottom, left to right, starting with January Gnome and ending with December Gnome.

You can choose to add the Year of Gnomes Banner to the top or bottom of your blanket if you want extra height although I think 58” x 77” is plenty big.

Learn more about the blanket in December's post

Interlocking crochet layout of the all-in-one Year of Gnomes blanket.

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Monthly Gnomes

January Gnome

February Gnome

March Gnome

April Gnome

May Gnome

June Gnome

July Gnome

August Gnome

September Gnome

October Gnome

November Gnome

December Gnome

Celebration Gnome

This large square is not part of the Year of Gnomes series. It was created in June 2022.

This square is the same size as the other gnome squares though, so could be used as a substitute or matching pillow.

Year of Gnomes Banner

By request, I created a banner that can be added to the top (or bottom) of your full blanket of gnomes.

This design is available in all three techniques for free.
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More Squares

All Squares of This Size on Ravelry
All Squares of This Size on Etsy

Final Notes

The eBook is a great value because you pay once at the beginning and then you’re all set for the year! It will save you 40% compared to buying each square individually. You’ll still have to wait for the beginning of each month to get each month’s square though.

Testers

Thank you very much to my testers throughout this monthly series of gnome squares! A Year of Gnomes patterns were tested by Angela Kermack, CrochetCarob, Just_Duckie_Crochet, Just_Stitched_ByJS, Linda Bakker, and Wolsalon.

Joining

I plan on using the flat braid join for my squares again. Click here to view the YouTube tutorial I created on joining squares. Each square ends with a round of the Main Color (MC) and you can use that same color to join “invisibly” or pick a contrasting color for a bit of extra pop!

Check out one envelope border example using my bottom-up Celtic Knot mosaic squares by clicking here.

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January Gnome

The first gnome in this series of large squares has a dual-pointed hat as a nod to ‘Janus’. Wikipedia says that January was actually not named after the god ‘Janus’ but it is a common misconception.

Janus is the god of beginnings and is usually depicted as having two faces. I gave my gnome’s hat two tassels to represent that.

Interlocking & Mosaic

Originally published with an interlocking crochet version and an overlay mosaic crochet using the same chart, January Gnome later received an update so as to include a third colorwork option: a solid, adjusted mosaic crochet file.

Learn more about these techniques at https://ashleeslint.com/tutorials/interlocking-and-mosaic-crochet/.

Size

The interlocking crochet and original overlay mosaic crochet squares have a chart size of 81 x 81.

The solid, adjusted overlay mosaic crochet option has a chart size of 77 x 77.

"January Gnome" on Ravelry
"January Gnome" on Etsy
"A Year of Gnomes" eBook on Ravelry
"A Year of Gnomes" eBook on Etsy

January Gnome Details

Each of the three colorwork techniques comes with its own set of important details.

Interlocking Crochet

Interlocking crochet is a colorwork technique where you create two layers of mesh locked together. You work one row at a time, alternating between the two contrasting colors.

Interlocking crochet / LFM crochet file includes:

  • line-by-line written pattern
  • one-page chart

 

Details

  • Chart is 81 x 81
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 8 rows = 4”
  • 20″ x 20″ / 52cm x 52cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (485 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) (the gnome) – 230 yards plus 25 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) (background) – 230 yards

Original Overlay Mosaic Crochet

When January Gnome was originally published in February 2021 I used the same chart for both the interlocking crochet option and the overlay mosaic crochet option. With this colorwork option you can see the interlocking mesh dots even when you use the overlay mosaic crochet technqiue.

Read more about these techniques at https://ashleeslint.com/tutorials/interlocking-and-mosaic-crochet/.

Mosaic Crochet file includes:

Details

  • Chart is 81 x 81
  • Gauge: 16 sc blo stitches x 16 rows = 4”
  • 20″ x 20″ / 252cm x 252cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (530 yards)
    • Main color (gnome) – 265 yards
    • Contrasting color (background) – 265  yards

Solid, adjusted overlay mosaic crochet version of January Gnome crocheted by Wolsalon.

Adjusted Overlay Mosaic Crochet

In July 2022 I added a third file to each of the gnome squares: a solid, adjusted overlay mosaic crochet option.

The overlay mosaic crochet technique does not require the interlocking mesh dots so in this option I have removed them.

You’ll once again receive x-marked charts along with the fully written pattern.

Adjusted Mosaic Crochet file includes:

Details

  • Chart is 77 x 77
  • Gauge: 14 sc blo stitches x 15 rows = 4”
  • 20″ x 20″ / 52cm x 52cm
  • 5 mm hook (H-8)
  • Worsted weight yarn (580 – 880 yards)
    • Main color (gnome) – 280 yards
    • Contrasting color (background) – 300 yards
    • Optional envelope border – 300 yards
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February Gnome

Hearts for February, of course! This was actually the first gnome square I drew. I had planned on it being a one-and-done thing but very quickly decided to create a gnome square for each month.

One thing led to another and now I’m doing a monthly square with a yearly theme forever! (See more at ashleeslint.com/year-of)

Interlocking & Mosaic

As with all the gnome squares, you’ll receive one file for the interlocking crochet option, one for the original overlay mosaic crochet option, and another for the adjusted, solid overlay mosaic crochet option.

Learn more about these techniques at https://ashleeslint.com/tutorials/interlocking-and-mosaic-crochet/.

Size

The interlocking crochet and original overlay mosaic crochet squares have a chart size of 81 x 81.

The solid, adjusted overlay mosaic crochet option has a chart size of 77 x 77.

"February Gnome" on Ravelry
"February Gnome" on Etsy
"A Year of Gnomes" eBook on Ravelry
"A Year of Gnomes" eBook on Etsy

February Gnome Details

Just like January Gnome, each of the three colorwork techniques comes with its own set of important details.

Interlocking crochet / LFM crochet file includes:

  • line-by-line written pattern
  • one-page chart

 

Details

  • Chart is 81 x 81
  • Gauge: 16 stitches x 8 rows = 4”
  • 20″ x 20″ / 52cm x 52cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (485 yards total)
    • Main color (MC) (the gnome) – 230 yards plus 25 for optional border
    • Accent color (AC) (background) – 230 yards

Original overlay mosaic crochet version of February Gnome crocheted by CrochetCarob.

Mosaic Crochet file includes:

Details

  • Chart is 81 x 81
  • Gauge: 16 sc blo stitches x 16 rows = 4”
  • 20″ x 20″ / 252cm x 252cm
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Worsted weight yarn (530 yards)
    • Main color (gnome) – 265 yards
    • Contrasting color (background) – 265  yards

Solid, adjusted overlay mosaic crochet version of February Gnome crocheted by Linda Bakker.

Adjusted Mosaic Crochet file includes:

Details

  • Chart is 77 x 77
  • Gauge: 14 sc blo stitches x 15 rows = 4”
  • 20″ x 20″ / 52cm x 52cm
  • 5 mm hook (H-8)
  • Worsted weight yarn (600 – 900 yards)
    • Main color (gnome) – 300 yards
    • Contrasting color (background) – 300 yards
    • Optional envelope border – 300 yards
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