Glimmering Galaxy Gnome Ornaments: A Free Knitted & Crochet Pattern

Bring a touch of celestial wonder to your holiday tree this year with these adorable knitted or crocheted gnome ornaments. Each tiny gnome is wrapped in a shimmering galaxy-inspired yarn palette of deep navy, midnight purple, and silver sparkle, complete with a star-shaped nose and twinkling white beard. This free pattern is perfect for beginners and experienced crafters alike, offering both knitting and crochet instructions so you can choose your favorite technique. These magical, handmade ornaments make wonderful gifts, stocking stuffers, or a cozy addition to your own festive decor.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This pattern uses worsted weight yarn and small needles/hooks, making it a quick and portable project.

For Both Knitted & Crochet Versions:

• Yarn (Worsted Weight):
  • Color A: Deep Navy (for body top)
  • Color B: Midnight Purple (for body bottom)
  • Color C: Silver Sparkle (for hat & loop)
  • Color D: White (for beard)
  • Color E: Gold (for nose)
• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill or any soft stuffing material
• Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and sewing pieces together
• Stitch markers: To help keep track of rounds (especially for crochet)
• Scissors
• Optional: Small star-shaped bead for the hat tip

Knitting Version Specifics:

• Needles: US Size 3 (3.25 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)

Crochet Version Specifics:

• Hook: US Size C (2.75 mm) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)

Gauge: For knitting: 5 stitches and 7 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch. For crochet: 5 single crochet and 6 rows = 1 inch. Gauge is important for achieving the correct finished size of approximately 3 inches tall (excluding hanging loop).

Step-by-Step Instructions: Knitted Version

Follow these detailed instructions to create your knitted galaxy gnome. Take your time and enjoy the process!

Abbreviations (Knitting):

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Kfb: Knit into the front and back of the same stitch (increase)
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
• St(s): Stitch(es)

Body (Make 1):

1. With Color A (Deep Navy), CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: K across (6 sts).
3. Row 2: Kfb in each st across (12 sts).
4. Row 3: K across (12 sts).
5. Row 4: *K1, kfb* repeat from * to * across (18 sts).
6. Rows 5-8: K across (18 sts).
7. Row 9: *K2, kfb* repeat from * to * across (24 sts).
8. Rows 10-12: K across (24 sts).
9. Switch to Color B (Midnight Purple).
10. Rows 13-16: K across (24 sts).
11. Row 17: *K2, k2tog* repeat from * to * across (18 sts).
12. Row 18: K across (18 sts).
13. Row 19: *K1, k2tog* repeat from * to * across (12 sts).
14. Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill. Ensure it is evenly distributed.
15. Row 20: K2tog across (6 sts).
16. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail (about 8 inches). Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then pass it through the remaining 6 stitches on the needle. Pull tight to close the hole and secure the yarn. Weave in the end.

Hat (Make 1):

1. With Color C (Silver Sparkle), CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K across (12 sts).
3. Row 5: K2tog, K8, K2tog (10 sts).
4. Row 6: K across (10 sts).
5. Row 7: K2tog, K6, K2tog (8 sts).
6. Row 8: K across (8 sts).
7. Row 9: K2tog, K4, K2tog (6 sts).
8. Row 10: K across (6 sts).
9. Row 11: K2tog, K2, K2tog (4 sts).
10. Row 12: K across (4 sts).
11. Row 13: K2tog, K2tog (2 sts).
12. Row 14: K2tog (1 st).
13. Cut yarn, pull through the last stitch, and secure. Use the tail to sew the hat onto the top of the body, slightly angled for a whimsical look.

Beard (Make 1):

1. With Color D (White), CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: K across (8 sts).
3. Row 4: K2tog, K4, K2tog (6 sts).
4. Row 5: K across (6 sts).
5. Row 6: K2tog, K2, K2tog (4 sts).
6. Row 7: K across (4 sts).
7. Row 8: K2tog, K2tog (2 sts).
8. Row 9: K2tog (1 st).
9. Cut yarn, pull through, and secure. Sew the beard onto the front of the body, just below the hat, so it covers the lower portion of the face area.

Nose (Make 1):

1. With Color E (Gold), CO 3 sts.
2. Knit 3 rows.
3. Cut yarn, thread through the stitches, and pull tight to form a small ball. Sew the nose onto the center of the beard.

Hanging Loop:

1. With Color C (Silver Sparkle), you have two options:
   • Crochet method: Make a chain of 12 stitches.
   • Knitting method: Knit a simple i-cord: CO 6 sts onto a double-pointed needle, knit across, slide stitches to the other end of the needle, knit across again, repeat for 4 rows.
2. Attach the loop securely to the top of the hat.

Finishing (Knitted Version):

1. Weave in all loose ends with a tapestry needle.
2. Optionally, sew a small star-shaped bead to the tip of the hat for extra sparkle.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crochet Version

Prefer to crochet? Follow these instructions for a beautiful crocheted galaxy gnome. The process is similar but uses single crochet stitches in the round.

Abbreviations (Crochet):

• MR: Magic ring (adjustable loop)
• Sc: Single crochet
• Inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• Dec: Decrease (sc2tog – single crochet two stitches together)
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• Ch: Chain

Body (Make 1):

1. With Color A (Deep Navy), make a MR.
2. Round 1: Work 6 sc into the ring (6 sts). Pull the tail to close the ring.
3. Round 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).
4. Round 3: *Sc 1, inc* repeat around (18 sts).
5. Rounds 4-6: Sc in each st around (18 sts).
6. Round 7: *Sc 2, inc* repeat around (24 sts).
7. Rounds 8-10: Sc in each st around (24 sts).
8. Switch to Color B (Midnight Purple).
9. Rounds 11-13: Sc in each st around (24 sts).
10. Round 14: *Sc 2, dec* repeat around (18 sts).
11. Round 15: Sc in each st around (18 sts).
12. Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill.
13. Round 16: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around (12 sts).
14. Round 17: Dec around (6 sts).
15. Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in the end securely.

Hat (Make 1):

1. With Color C (Silver Sparkle), make a MR.
2. Round 1: Work 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).
3. Round 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).
4. Rounds 3-4: Sc in each st around (12 sts).
5. Round 5: *Sc 2, dec* repeat around (9 sts).
6. Round 6: Sc in each st around (9 sts).
7. Round 7: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around (6 sts).
8. Round 8: Sc in each st around (6 sts).
9. Round 9: Dec around (3 sts).
10. Cut yarn, fasten off, and sew the hat to the top of the body, slightly angled.

Beard (Make 1):

1. With Color D (White), chain 8.
2. Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across (7 sts).
3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog (5 sts).
4. Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog (3 sts).
5. Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 1 (2 sts).
6. Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog (1 st).
7. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew the beard onto the front of the body, just below the hat.

Nose (Make 1):

1. With Color E (Gold), make a MR.
2. Work 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).
3. Fasten off, leaving a tail. Sew the nose onto the center of the beard.

Hanging Loop:

1. With Color C (Silver Sparkle), chain 12.
2. Slip stitch to the top of the hat to form a loop.
3. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Finishing (Crochet Version):

1. Weave in all loose ends with a tapestry needle.
2. Optionally, add a small star-shaped bead to the tip of the hat for a celestial finish.

Your Glimmering Galaxy Gnome Ornament is now complete! Hang it on your tree, give it as a gift, or create a whole constellation of gnomes in different colorways. The shimmering silver sparkle yarn and the deep cosmic blues and purples will catch the light beautifully, adding a touch of magic to your holiday season. Happy crafting!