Notes
This whimsical gnome can be used as a decorative ‘wrapping’ for a Christmas gift. Each size (small and large) comes in 2 lengths. Large gnome is perfect for a bottle of wine (champagne), and small gnome can be used for a jar of your favorite jam (small bottle of flavored vinegar or oil).

The gnome is knit in the round as one piece, starting with the
face, knitting up. The body is knit from the face down. The gnome is slightly felted, the beard added after felting.

Gauge: the exact gauge is not as important, since felting will help to adjust the size of the final product. However, the yardage may vary considerably depending on you gauge. If I use the same color for hat and body, one skein of main color is sufficient for the small gnome (the hat is finished first, the body is knit until one runs out of yarn) and 2 skeins for the large.

Techniques used: provisional cast on, knit and purl stitch, knit in the round, hem as you knit, bobble.

Additional materials
A small amount of bulky yarn for the beard (about 5 yards) and a small amount of poly stuffing (for the nose).

Belt (optional):
A small amount of black and brown yarn will be needed for the belt. After about one third of the body is finished (down from the face), knit to the center of the gnome’s front, cut yarn; switch to black and knit one full round, cast on 10 st for the belt “flap”, turn work. Continue to knit the belt back and forth using garter stitch until desired width of the belt (3-4 garter ridges). On the next row, knit to the last 10 sts, cast off. Cut black yarn leaving about 3 inches. Join body yarn and continue knitting in the round until desired length. Secure belt flap with the attached length of black yarn and embroider the buckle with brown yarn (see pictures).

Variations
Use beads for the buckle for extra pizzazz.
For a “wilder” looking beard, attach it before felting, shape well while drying.

Beading
For extra festive look, beads can be added to the hat either knitted in (by sliding a bead on a stitch before knitting it) or embroidered after felting.