Gnorbert the Gnome in Red Heart Super Saver Economy Solids - LW2599

Gnorbert the Gnome – Crochet Pattern Summary

Gnorbert the Gnome is a charming crocheted amigurumi-style gnome toy, designed by Red Heart and worked in Red Heart Super Saver Economy Solids yarn. This intermediate-level crochet pattern produces an adorable stuffed gnome figure, making it a wonderful handmade gift, holiday decoration, or shelf accent for gnome enthusiasts of all ages.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates Gnorbert the Gnome, a three-dimensional stuffed toy figure complete with the classic gnome silhouette. The finished piece is a soft, sculptural character intended as a decorative accent or handmade toy. As a crocheted amigurumi-inspired project, the gnome is constructed in individual sections that are assembled into a cohesive finished figure.

Construction and Techniques

The pattern uses a number of special crochet techniques that give Gnorbert his rounded, dimensional shape:

• Adjustable ring (magic ring): Each rounded section begins with an adjustable ring, a technique where yarn is wrapped around the finger, a loop is drawn up through the wrap, and the tail is later pulled tight to close the center opening. This is the standard method for starting crocheted-in-the-round pieces without a visible hole at the center.
• Working in the round: The body and other components are noted as being worked in continuous or joined rounds, building up the three-dimensional shape row by row.
• Shaping through increases and decreases: The pattern uses decrease stitches to taper and shape the gnome's body parts, creating smooth curves typical of stuffed toy construction.

Stitches Used

Gnorbert the Gnome calls upon a variety of crochet stitches, ranging from foundational to decorative:

• Single crochet (sc): The primary stitch used throughout the body and main construction sections, worked at a gauge of 14 stitches = 4 inches and 15 rows = 4 inches.
• sc2tog (single crochet two together): A decrease stitch worked by drawing up a loop in each of the next two stitches, then yarning over and drawing through all three loops on the hook. Used to reduce stitch count and shape curved sections.
• sc3tog (single crochet three together): A more aggressive decrease that draws up loops in three consecutive stitches and completes them together, used for sharper shaping.
• Half double crochet (hdc): A mid-height stitch used in select sections of the pattern.
• hdc2tog (half double crochet two together): A half double crochet decrease worked by yarning over, inserting the hook, and pulling up a loop twice across two stitches, then drawing through all five loops on the hook at once.
• Double crochet (dc): Used as the base stitch for the popcorn stitch embellishment.
• Popcorn stitch: A raised, bobble-like decorative stitch created by working five double crochets into a single indicated stitch, removing the hook from the working loop, reinserting it from front to back into the first of the five double crochets, placing the dropped loop back onto the hook, and drawing it through to close the popcorn. This stitch adds a fun textural detail to Gnorbert's design.

Materials – Yarn, Hook, and Notions

The pattern is designed specifically for Red Heart Super Saver Economy Solids, an aran weight yarn. Red Heart Super Saver is a widely available, worsted-to-aran weight acrylic yarn known for its durability, washability, and broad color range — qualities that make it well suited for stuffed toys and decorative figures that may need occasional cleaning.

• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Economy Solids (aran weight)
• Hook: Any size crochet hook needed to achieve the specified gauge of 14 stitches and 15 rows over 4 inches in single crochet. The pattern emphasizes checking gauge and adjusting hook size accordingly rather than specifying a single hook size.
• Additional materials typically required for amig