Crochet Christmas Gnome Wall Hanging Free Pattern

Crochet Christmas gnome wall hanging free pattern

Are you looking for a fun and creative crochet project to add a touch of charm to your home décor this holiday season?

This cute crochet Christmas gnome wall hanging is a perfect pattern for your home decor!

Written in us crochet terms, this free pattern uses tapestry crochet, worsted weight yarn-cotton (bright colors), yarn under single crochet technique, wooden dowel and size H, 5.00 mm hook size.

This easy crochet wall hanging makes great gifts and one of those fast crochet projects you can make in one afternoon!

This blog post includes helpful tips for using different colors and color changes.

Crochet wall art is a great addition to your own home holiday decor and gives a unique look for your holiday decor.

This pattern is for an advanced beginner skill level and uses basic crochet stitches (yarn under single crochet).

A great way and unique way to show off your crochet skills.

The finished size is 7″ wide x 13″ (with fringe), 17″ in length including the hanging. The square measures 7″ x 7″ by itself.

Crochet Christmas Gnome Wall Hanging

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Note:

For this project you will work the single crochet stitch for each box shown on the graph. Instead of yarning over, you will yarn under to create a neater look for your gnome.

The yarn under single crochet stitch (abbreviated as “yu sc” or sometimes “inverse single crochet”) is a variation of the standard single crochet stitch where, instead of yarning over the hook as usual, you yarn under. This subtle difference affects the texture and look of the stitch, making it particularly useful for certain crochet techniques like tapestry crochet.

How to Do a Yarn Under Single Crochet:

1. Insert your hook into the stitch as you normally would.
2. Yarn under (grab the yarn from below the hook instead of over).
3. Pull the yarn through the stitch.
4. Yarn over as usual and pull through both loops on the hook to complete the stitch.

Why Yarn Under is Ideal for Tapestry Crochet

Here’s why the yarn under technique is often preferred for tapestry crochet:

1. Creates a Tight, Uniform Fabric:
   • Yarn under produces a tighter, less stretchy fabric than the traditional single crochet. This makes it ideal for tapestry crochet, where a dense, stable fabric is often desired to clearly display patterns and shapes.
2. Improves Stitch Consistency:
   • Yarn under creates stitches that are more square and less angled than regular single crochet. This squareness enhances the clarity of designs, especially when working with intricate color changes.
3. Less Visible “Floats”:
   • When carrying yarn in tapestry crochet, the unused yarn (float) is less visible with yarn under stitches, making the color changes look cleaner.
4. Minimal Leaning in the Fabric:
   • Regular single crochet can cause slight leaning or twisting in the stitches, which becomes noticeable in geometric patterns. The yarn under technique minimizes this effect, making it easier to align designs and motifs precisely.

Tips for color changing:

1. Change Colors in the Last Pull-Through

• To switch colors without a noticeable “step,” change colors in the last pull-through of the previous stitch.
• For example, if you’re switching from color A to color B, insert your hook, yarn over with color A, pull through, then yarn under with color B for the final pull-through. This way, the next stitch starts cleanly in the new color.

2. Carry Yarn Consistently

• Keep your unused yarn taut but not too tight as you carry it along. This helps avoid loose floats (unused yarn strands) showing through your work.
• Place the unused yarn on top of the stitches you’re working and crochet over it. This will hide the yarn within the fabric, creating a smoother look.

3. Plan for Color Transitions

• Anticipate color changes a stitch or two in advance so you’re ready to switch in the right place.
• If possible, look at the row below to see where colors change to make sure your design aligns perfectly.

4. Use Yarn Under for Clean Edges

• The yarn under single crochet stitch (instead of the standard yarn over) helps create square stitches and less angled fabric. This makes color changes sharper and designs more geometric, which is ideal for tapestry crochet.

5. Avoid Bulking Up by Limiting Color Carrying

• If you have long stretches between color changes, avoid carrying the yarn across the entire row. Instead, drop the color and rejoin it where needed, or work it in sections. This keeps the fabric even and prevents color “bleed.”

6. Practice Tension Consistency

• Keep your tension consistent across color changes. Loosening or tightening your yarn when switching colors can cause irregularities in the fabric.
• It might take practice to hold both yarns evenly and work smoothly, especially with multiple colors.

Tips for tapestry crochet:

• Understand the grid system: Each square on the chart represents one stitch, usually in single crochet for tapestry crochet. The color of the square indicates the yarn color to use.
• Identify the starting point: Most color charts start at the bottom right corner. Rows typically alternate reading directions: odd-numbered rows are read from right to left, and even-numbered rows from left to right.
• Match the chart to your pattern: Ensure you know whether the chart is worked in rows or rounds. For rounds, pay attention to whether you turn your work or always keep the right side facing.
  • Understand stitch direction: In tapestry crochet, stitches may tilt slightly due to the natural shape of the single crochet. Be aware that designs might shift slightly in appearance.
  • Plan for the right and wrong sides: If the pattern alternates rows (right side and wrong side), the wrong side will show the carried yarn. Be extra neat to keep the back of your work tidy.
  • Mirror image rows: When working on the wrong side, you might need to reverse the color order from the chart (depending on the design).

Working the Pattern

• Carry your yarn: When switching colors, carry the unused yarn along the back of your work and crochet over it to keep the wrong side tidy.
• Switch colors correctly: Change colors during the last yarn over of the previous stitch to ensure a smooth color transition.
• Count accurately: Each square corresponds to one stitch, so count carefully, especially in sections with multiple color changes. Highlight or mark completed rows to stay organized.
• Check stitch placement: Ensure that your stitches align with the chart, especially in detailed or geometric designs. Misaligned stitches can disrupt the pattern.

Color Management

• Prepare your yarn: Have your yarn colors ready and untangled. Bobbins or small yarn balls can help keep things organized when working with many colors.
• Minimize floats: Keep the yarn carried along the back (or inside, if in rounds) taut but not too tight to prevent puckering.
• Watch for overlapping colors: If squares of the same color extend over several rows, ensure you carry the unused yarn neatly behind the stitches.

Helpful Tools and Techniques

• Highlight your progress: Use a ruler, sticky notes, or highlighter tape to mark your current row or section on the chart.
• Use stitch markers: Place markers at intervals to help track where color changes occur in long rows or sections.
• Practice consistent tension: Tension affects the clarity of your design, so try to maintain even stitches, especially when switching colors.
• Follow the pattern closely: Cross-reference the chart with any written instructions provided to clarify tricky sections.

Practice Makes Perfect

• Start simple: Begin with a small and simple design to familiarize yourself with reading color charts before moving on to intricate patterns.
• Adjust your setup: Use good lighting and position the chart where you can easily refer to it while crocheting.
• Experiment with chart apps or software: Digital tools can help you track progress, especially for complex designs.

Materials:

• Size H, 5.00 mm crochet hook
• Medium weight cotton yarn in red, green, ivory and white
• Tapestry needle
• Stick or dowel rod approx. 10″ in length

Abbreviations:

ch- chain

st(s)- stitch(es)

yu sc- yarn under single crochet

sl st- slip stitch

Pattern:

With white yarn ch 23.

Follow the chart and yu sc the first row.

Continue to follow the chart until you complete all 22 rows.

Edging:

Do not fasten off.

Weave in ends then continue with your white yarn and sc (regular sc) around the piece with 2 sc in each corner.

Continue to sc down the side, sl st in the last st at the end of the side and fasten off.

Pick up a st at the other end and continue to sc up the other side.

Sl st in the end corner and fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

Fringe:

Cut 15″ long pieces of green yarn.

Fold each strand in half and pull the middle part through each st along the bottom, yarn over and pull both strands through.

Trim to approx. 6″ or desired length.

Wooden hanging:

Cut a long piece of yarn and use your needle to sew through the top stitches of your wall hanging and around the stick/dowel.

Fasten off, weave in ends on the back of your piece.

Hanging:

With green yarn, pick up a st on the top end of the wall hanging.

Ch 30, sl st at the other top end of the wall hanging and fasten off.

Weave in ends.

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