October Gnome
This is the 10th large gnome square in this year’s series ‘A Year of Gnomes‘.
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/.
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.
What makes a gnome, a gnome?
When I first drew up this square my husband critiqued it gently saying the witchy hat made it just look like a witchy square. He didn’t see anything that really said “gnome”. I pointed out that the eyes were covered by the hat and the big nose was the only facial feature. There’s some wild hair that could be more beard-like but is a beard what defines a gnome? Maybe there’s too many “extras” in the image?
I got back to the drawing board and changed some things. Then I got my husband to look again. He said it was better… but still not quite “gnomey”. And he walked away. Because he can do that. It’s not HIS eBook that needs another square. It’s not HIS customers that are eagerly awaiting the next design. No pressure! Hahaha!
After editing it a bit more I asked for his helpful advice once again. He repeated his first piece of advice: the witch hat doesn’t look like a gnome hat.
So, I changed the hat and BAM we have a gnome! In case you were wondering, that’s how I define a gnome: hat, no eyes, only a nose, hair/beard.
December Suggestions?
I sure hope all of these squares in this series are looking gnome-like to you all. There’s only a few more left – and I’m trying to come up with a December square that isn’t just Santa. Any suggestions?
Thank you for all the ways you support me!
I know some people really like seeing the backs of these designs. When you use the overlay mosaic technique it just creates stripes but interlocking crochet creates something new. It isn’t exactly an inverse of the front design.
Pattern Winner
I posted this teaser work-in-progress image on Instagram and in my Facebook group and asked people to guess the title of what I was making.
It is, of course, this witchy October Gnome square. Two people have won a free pattern of their choice!
Gnome Series
In case you’re new to this “A Year of Gnomes” series: there’s a new gnome each month on a chart size of 81 x 81. That means you start with 40 windows when you use the interlocking crochet technique (or, chain 83 foundation single crochet when you use the mosaic method).
They finish to 20″ square when you meet my gauge but gauge isn’t critical as long as you make them all the same so that you can join them together. I also have other squares of this same size if you’d prefer to mix and match: ashleeslint.com/large-squares.
All-in-One Blanket
At the end of the year (which is getting really close!) I will also be adding an all-in-one blanket pattern of all 12 gnomes to the eBooks on Ravelry and Etsy. The all-in-one pattern will save you from joining squares together but doesn’t allow as much creative freedom.
Speaking of the eBook – it is a great value; it is more than a 40% discount compared to buying each square individually (plus it’s the only way you’ll get that all-in-one blanket)!
Updates
Ravelry has a great system for updating patterns; Etsy requires that I email you each month with the updated pattern. I offer both options for most of my patterns.
October Gnome Details
Each of the three colorwork techniques comes with its own set of important details.
Learn more about these techniques at https://ashleeslint.com/tutorials/interlocking-and-mosaic-crochet/.
Interlocking crochet version of October Gnome.
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 October Gnome crocheted by CrochetCarob.
Mosaic Crochet file includes:
- line-by-line written pattern
- instructions for optional envelope border
- instructions on reading a chart
- a four-page chart marked with X’s
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 October Gnome crocheted by Angela Kermack.
Adjusted Mosaic Crochet file includes:
- line-by-line written pattern
- instructions for optional envelope border
- instructions on reading a chart
- a one-page chart marked with X’s
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) – 350 yards
- Contrasting color (background) – 250 yards
- Optional envelope border – 300 yards