Yes. He was futsy to make.
Yes. I got grumpy with the hat.
And maybe those thumbs.
But in the end, he was absolutely worth the fuss!
Because he’s pretty magnificent — and a really nice addition to my holiday décor. My gnome is impressively large – about 14 inches after stuffing. And, really, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to knit him. There is enough gnome “real estate” to really see the color work and Sarah Shira’s clever design.
The most challenging thing (other than stitching those fair isle trees around the hat) (which really were a pain) (just sayin) was finding good enough light for a photo session. It’s been so dang dark here! And inside photos just don’t do justice to the colors or the design. But finally – yesterday – the sun popped out and the temperature rose up out of the single-digits . . . so I could take him outside for a photo shoot. In the end, though, I think he looks best near some twinkle lights in my kitchen.
This is my first Sarah Shira gnome . . . and it won’t be my last. If you’re tempted to try a gnome, I really do recommend Sarah’s patterns. Her directions are clear and precise, and there are video tutorials for the trickiest bits.
If you’d like the knitterly details or if you’d like to see more photos, you can find them in my project Field Notes here . . . or on Ravelry here.
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How about you? What are you making these days?
He is magnificent! This is definitely a decoration that will be enjoyed for many years and definitely fits into heirloom status. And you get the patience of the year award.
Love the colors, but gnome knitting will remain a spectator sport for me. I just donated to Simple Recycling a bunch of stuffed bears, a moose, and some reindeer that I clothed in knitted a long time ago. So I’m done with that fiddly knitting.
Happy Christmas, Kym!
He is wonderful! All those fiddly parts work together to make him charming. He is worth the effort even if you spent some irritating time with him during the process. I hope there are more gnomes in your future!
He is so wonderful, Kym!! Those mittens!! Gah! They are just so so so perfect! (and those fiddly trees… well, they really look amazing!) (and the beard is not bad either!!) He looks right at home amongst the twinkle lights! Well done (and welcome to the Land of Gnomes!)
Oh my! What a fabulous Gnome. He is truly magnificent Kym. Like Valerie, Gnome knitting will remain a spectator sport for moi. I can’t deal with the fiddly bits. LOL. Love him by the twinkle lights and I’ll look forward to seeing more gnomes from you!
Every little fiddly bit really made that gnome about the cutest, fussy worthy gnome I’ve ever seen. He looks lovable and so fun! Good work on the fussy bits, Kym!
He’s perfect! And I wholeheartedly agree with you.
He’s a masterpiece. I especially love his fringed garter beard. But I am not failing to notice his fair isle body and hat. Congratulations.
Love him! He needs a lady gnome friend now.
He’s so stinking cute! I’m sure it was pretty fussy to knit some of those components but I agree that SS designs great patterns and her videos always include clever ways to make it feel less fussy.
So impressed. A member brought a well-clothed little mouse she had knitted and passed it around our knitting group. Knitted with wool, and sized for a hand, I did not want to let it go. It was so tactile-y squishy and warm and pleasant. I will never knit anything fussy but now I’m thinking maybe one of those rectangular monsters with no shaping. Congratulations, Kym! You did a beautiful job!
Love the Gnome! So cute.
I like the gnome in the twinkly lights. He is darling, fussy trees, thumbs, and all. I like the colors you put together. What a lot of details but they make the gnome a wonderful guy. I predict he will be treasured for years to come.
He is absolutely fabulous! And I couldn’t agree more about Sarah’s patterns — so well thought out and presented. I’m happy to tell you that she’s also a lovely human being. I shared a cab with her two years ago at SSK and got to know her a little (and took a class with her while we were there), and she’s a kind, thoughtful person, just as she seems from her patterns.