You can get a FREE version of this pattern on my website.

Often referred to as Christmas Gnomes, Tomte (in Sweden) and Nisse (in Norway) aren’t actually gnomes but according to Scandinavian tradition, tiny men who come bearing gifts. If you’re not familiar with these figures from Nordic folklore then don’t let their apparent generosity lull you into a false sense of security, these little dudes expect to be rewarded with porridge and if they don’t get it, bad things happen!

Modified from my pattern for Beardsley, I don’t recommend this project for beginner crocheters because he’s much smaller (only 3 inches). For more confident crocheters though, his design is not complex, he’s made with single crochet in the round (for the body and hat) and single crochet in rows (for the beard). His little ears are made using a bobble stitch but full instructions for the two bobble stitches are included in the pattern.

Instructions to make the gift box are also included in the pattern - it’s seamless but constructed in a way that reinforces its cube shape. It’s all single crochet in the round but you have to be comfortable with stitch and fabric anatomy as you will be crocheting rows together. The “ribbon” around the gift box is surface crocheted slip stitches.

To complete this pattern, you’ll need:

DK weight yarn in your choice of colours (I used grey, skin tone, red, white and green)
Size D (3.25mm) crochet hook
6mm black safety eyes
polyester (or other) stuffing
yarn needle