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Hello, my dear crocheters! It's Patricia Poltera here, and I'm just so delighted to share this Barnaby the Blissful Gnome pattern with you all, completely free. There's something so heartwarming about creating these little characters with our own two hands, isn't there? It's your wonderful enthusiasm for these patterns, and the ways you choose to support my work, that keep my crochet hooks merrily clicking away, dreaming up new friends for you to stitch. So, thank you, from the bottom of my yarn-loving heart!
Barnaby, with his cheerful hat and fluffy beard, is just waiting to bring a touch of whimsy to your home or garden (though he prefers a cozy indoor spot!). He's a wonderful project for intermediate crocheters looking to practice color changes and adding those special little details that make an amigurumi truly shine. So, grab your hooks and some colorful yarn, and let's get started on our blissful Barnaby!
Materials You'll Need for Barnaby the Blissful Gnome
Yarn:
- Skin Tone: Approximately 50g of light beige or your preferred skin tone yarn (worsted weight)
- Hat: Approximately 50g of bright red yarn (worsted weight)
- Hat Brim: Approximately 20g of bright blue yarn (worsted weight)
- Body: Approximately 50g of olive-green yarn (worsted weight)
- Legs: Approximately 30g of brown yarn (worsted weight)
- Shoes: Approximately 30g of black yarn (worsted weight)
- Beard: Approximately 20g of white or off-white fluffy yarn (worsted weight or a brushed acrylic)
- Cuff Stripes: Small amounts of blue, yellow, and red yarn (worsted weight)
- Waist Stripe: Small amount of red yarn (worsted weight)
- Embellishments: Small amount of brown yarn for the button and red yarn for the heart.
Hooks & Notions:
- Crochet hook size appropriate for your chosen yarn (I typically use a 3.5mm or 4mm hook for worsted weight)
- Stuffing material (fiberfill)
- Safety eyes (approximately 8-10mm) or black embroidery thread
- Tapestry needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Pins for holding pieces in place before sewing
- Optional: Stitch markers
Essential vs. Game Changer Amigurumi Tools:
- The Absolute Essentials: Your chosen yarn, crochet hook, stuffing, tapestry needle, and scissors. These are the non-negotiables to bring Barnaby to life!
- My 'Game Changer' Recommendations (Optional, but oh-so-helpful!): Safety eyes (they give such character!), stitch markers (especially when working in rounds), and pins (they make assembly so much easier and precise!).
Skills Required & Techniques Demystified for Barnaby
You'll need to be comfortable with the following basic crochet techniques:
- Magic Ring (MR): This is how we start most of our amigurumi pieces in the round, creating a tight, neat center. If you're new to it, don't worry, there are tons of wonderful video tutorials online!
- Single Crochet (sc): Our trusty workhorse stitch for creating a dense fabric perfect for amigurumi.
- Increase (inc): Working two single crochet stitches into the same stitch to make your piece wider.
- Decrease (dec): Working two single crochet stitches together to make your piece narrower. I often use the invisible decrease (inv dec) for a smoother finish, where you insert your hook into the front loops only of the next two stitches, yarn over, and pull through two loops, then yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Used for joining rounds or finishing off.
- Chain (ch): A foundational stitch, often used for starting rows or creating small details.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): We'll use this for the body to give it that lovely texture. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through three loops, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
- Color Changes: We'll be changing colors for Barnaby's hat, cuffs, and legs. The key here is to join the new color in the last pull-through of the stitch before the color change to ensure a clean transition.
- Working in Rounds (rnd): Most of Barnaby is worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified. Don't join at the end of each round unless instructed.
A Note on Photos & Your Unique Barnaby
Remember, my dear, that because each amigurumi is lovingly made by hand, there might be slight variations in the finished piece. That's part of the beauty of handmade! Your Barnaby might have a slightly different expression or a subtly unique shape, and that's what makes him truly special. The photos you see are a guide, but your creation will be wonderfully, uniquely yours.
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The Barnaby the Blissful Gnome Amigurumi Pattern
Oh, I just know you’re going to love stitching up this darling Barnaby the Blissful Gnome amigurumi! If you enjoy this free pattern, do pop over to Patricia Poltera’s Amigurumi Pattern Parlour for more exclusive PDF patterns filled with even more stitchy adventures. Your support helps me continue to share these free patterns with you all. Now, let’s get to crocheting!
Head:
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7-12: sc in each st around (36)
Rnd 13: (sc 4, dec) x 6 (30)
Rnd 14: (sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 15: (sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 16: (sc 1, dec) x 6 (12) Stuff the head firmly.
Rnd 17: dec x 6 (6) Close the remaining opening and weave in the end.
Nose: (with skin tone yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.
Beard: (with white fluffy yarn)
Cut several strands of yarn approximately 4-5 inches long. Using your hook, loop the strands through the stitches on the lower half of the head, creating a beard. You can then gently brush out the yarn for a fluffier look or trim it to your desired shape.
Hat: (starting with red yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7-15: sc in each st around (36) Change to bright blue yarn for the brim.
Rnd 16: sc in each st around (36)
Rnd 17: (sc 2, ch 1, skip 1 st) x 12 (24 sc, 12 ch-1 spaces) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Body: (starting with olive-green yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7-12: hdc in each st around (36) Change to brown yarn.
Rnd 13-15: sc in each st around (36) Change to red yarn.
Rnd 16: sc in each st around (36) Change to black yarn.
Rnd 17-20: sc in each st around (36) Stuff the body firmly.
Rnd 21: (sc 4, dec) x 6 (30)
Rnd 22: (sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 23: (sc 2, dec) x 6 (18) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head.
Arms: (make 2 with skin tone yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3-4: sc in each st around (12) Change to blue yarn.
Rnd 5: sc in each st around (12) Change to yellow yarn.
Rnd 6: sc in each st around (12) Change to red yarn.
Rnd 7: sc in each st around (12) Change back to skin tone yarn.
Rnd 8-10: sc in each st around (12) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.
Button: (with brown yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR (6) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Heart: (with red yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a MR (6) Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Flatten slightly.
Assembly Instructions for Your Barnaby
- Attach the Nose: Position the nose centrally on the face, between where the eyes will go and above where the beard will start. Sew it securely to the head.
- Attach the Eyes: If using safety eyes, insert them on either side of the nose, a few rounds above it. If using embroidery thread, stitch small round or oval shapes for the eyes.
- Attach the Beard: Carefully sew or loop the strands of white fluffy yarn onto the lower part of the head to create the beard. Ensure it's positioned nicely under the nose.
- Attach the Hat: Place the hat on top of the head, angling it slightly if you like. Sew it securely around the brim to the head.
- Attach the Body: Sew the stuffed body to the bottom of the head. Ensure it's centered and securely attached.
- Attach the Arms: Position the arms on either side of the body, at about the level of the "sweater" section. Sew them securely in place.
- Attach the Button: Sew the small brown button onto the front of the olive-green body.
- Attach the Heart: Sew the red heart embellishment onto the front of the olive-green body, near the button or slightly to the side.
Tips & Tricks for Your Barnaby
Troubleshooting Common Crochet Challenges:
- Holes in Your Amigurumi: Ensure you're using a hook size appropriate for your yarn and that your stitches are tight and consistent. If you still see gaps, try going down a hook size.
- Lumpy Stuffing: Stuff your amigurumi gradually, using small pieces of fiberfill. Work the stuffing into all the nooks and crannies for a smooth, even shape.
- Uneven Color Changes: When changing colors, make sure to complete the last stitch of the old color before joining the new color in the final pull-through. This will create a cleaner line.
Customization Corner:
- Hat Variations: Feel free to experiment with different colors or add stripes to Barnaby's hat. You could even add a little pompom to the top!
- Facial Expressions: Get creative with the eyes and mouth (if you choose to add one) to give Barnaby a unique personality. Embroidered details can be very expressive.
- Yarn Textures: Using different yarn textures can add interest to your gnome. A boucle yarn for the beard would be extra fluffy, for example.
Gifting Your Handmade Masterpiece:
- Presentation is Key: When gifting Barnaby, consider adding a little tag with his name and the date you made him. A simple ribbon tied around his hat or body can also add a lovely touch.
- Care Instructions: Include a small note with gentle hand-washing instructions to help the recipient keep Barnaby looking his best.
Frequently Asked Pattern & Finishing Questions for Barnaby
Q: My beard doesn't look as fluffy as in the picture. What can I do?
A: Ah, the fluffiness! If you're using a standard yarn, try cutting longer strands and then gently brushing them out with a pet brush or even a fine-toothed comb. For an extra fluffy beard right from the start, consider using a brushed acrylic or a novelty fur yarn.
Q: My hat seems too tall or too short. Can I adjust the size?
A: Absolutely! To make the hat shorter, simply work fewer rounds in the main red section. To make it taller, add a few more rounds. Just remember to keep the increases consistent in the early rounds to maintain the conical shape.
Q: I'm having trouble with the scalloped edge of the hat brim. Is there an easier way?
A: The chain-space scallops add a lovely touch, but if you prefer a simpler edge, you can just single crochet around for the last round in the blue yarn. It will still look charming!
Q: Where should I position the safety eyes?
A: A good starting point is about 2-3 rounds above the nose, spaced a few stitches apart. However, feel free to experiment with the placement to achieve the expression you like best for your Barnaby.
A Final Word & Caring for Your Adorable Barnaby
Well, my dear friend, we've reached the end of our stitching journey for Barnaby the Blissful Gnome. I truly hope you've enjoyed bringing him to life as much as I enjoyed creating this pattern for you. Seeing these little characters come to life through your hands is the greatest reward. Remember, your continued engagement and support, whether it's sharing your finished creations or popping over to my Pattern Parlour for more patterns, make it possible for me to keep these detailed patterns freely available for everyone to enjoy. Happy stitching, and may your days be filled with blissful creativity!