how to knit a tiny gnome hat
This is actually take-two of a tutorial I put up last year. I wanted to re-do it because such a lot of people seem to look at it and I don’t think my first try at pictures and instructions really did justice to how quick, easy and satisfying (or how squeal-inducingly sweet) these tiny gnome accessories are.To knit a gnome hat like this…
…all you need to do is cast on twelve stitches. Then do four rows of stockinette stitch (stockinette stitch is where you knit a row, then purl a row, and the nice thing about it is that it tends to curl up at the bottom).
After the four complete rows are finished, keep going with the stockinette stitch but begin the next row by knitting two stitches together (that is, you know how with normal knitting you put the needle through just one stitch? Put it through two instead.) End the row in the same way.
Keep going, knitting two stitches together at the beginning and end of each knitted row (and do the the purl rows all the way through without reducing) until there is only one stitch left on your needle. Make sure you cut a nice long tail and thread it through the final stitch.
Then you can tuck in the loose end, fold your triangle of knitting in half and sew the two edges together using the tail you left nice and long…
and you’re done! Here’s how it fits on a peg…
Here it is on one of the little wooden doll bases of the sort you find in Steiner/Waldorf shops…
The hats are also a perfect fit for these Steiner-inspired pocket dolls.
If you would like to see some dolls I have made wearing these hats you can look here and here. If you would like to see a slightly bigger version, made exactly the same way but beginning with eighteen stitches instead of twelve you can look here, here and here.
And of course if you make a gnome hat and send me a picture or a link to a post about it, you will absolutely make my day!
Anna you are a legend yet again. Love it.
My Gran was also a legend with all things clever and crafty. She was awesome at crochet. All three sisters had barbie dolls in the 60′s and she made them bags, hats ,coats all crochet. She used the very very finest size needle and it was close to lace in result. Amazing stuff. If only I could find them. I have however still got her crochet bells in gold thread with a single red bead inside. They come out every Xmas and hang on our tree. Can you see this hat doing the same thing??? I can.xxxx
So cute! Also, you give directions very clearly, I’m awed – and inspired. Haven’t knitted for years, but I’m tempted by this. I’m sure I still have needles and wool somewhere …
Heehee Lois, thank you! I love your gran’s work and I’m not always a fan of crochet. I think it had a lot to do with her colours – those beautiful mossy autumny tones in the blanket you have. I look forward to my annual viewing of your tree and shall pay special attention to your crochet bells this year!
And Emily, thank you too
. It would be lovely to think you were encouraged to take up your needles again! Its such a lovely way to take time out at a crazily busy time of year.
Love it.
Thanks for this sweet pattern. I have the little wooden peg dolls and this will be perfect for them. I am a fan of Steiner Aesthetics as well.
AHHH!!! Finally someone understands my what? to the K5,P3 and gives me a knitted hat!
It’s adorable!
Retweeting and following you!
Honey
http://www.mondorfment.blogspot.com
When Mon(tessori) (Wal)dorf (and Attach)ment Parenting meet in our home
…um…where’s your follow or RSS feed signup?
Honey
http://www.mondorfment.blogspot.com
[...] hat is just like the one I gave the knitted gnome hat tutorial for, but I started with eighteen stitches and used slightly smaller needles and it fits her [...]
[...] in itself – the knitted gnome hat I’ve made a tutorial for before, which you can find here. For this one I cast on twelve stitches and it is ridiculously sweet if I do say so [...]
I’ve posted about this and sent you an email. Thank you so much for the idea Honey!
[...] in itself – the knitted gnome hat I’ve made a tutorial for before, which you can find here. For this one I cast on twelve stitches and I think this teeny one is ridiculously sweet if I do [...]
Where do you buy the little doll bodies that the knitted cap is on?
Hi Jackie – I buy mine from a shop that is local to me, the friendship tree, but you should be able to find them in any steiner/waldorf supplies shop.
[...] hat is one of the gnome hats I can hardly stop myself from knitting, nineteen stitches at the base using my titchy little 3.0mm [...]
What a great tutorial, I will have to show this to my daughter who loves knitting and is just starting to learn to knit very tiny items with double point needles. I think she would love this, and they would be perfect for our little gnomes and fairies! Thanks!!
omigosh so cute
[...] lovely tutorial from Wee Folk Art for some very similar little cloaks and try my own tutorial for woolly gnome hats.] [...]
I’m all ready to cast on, but was wondering what size needles and yarn you used? They are darling, and I’m sure I’ll find something to fit just about any size I make. Hats for dolls…kittens, zombies?
Oh dear Angela, I’m afraid I don’t know what size the yarn is as I almost always buy mine from secondhand shops where people leave their left overs, since I only need quite small bits. But the needles I used for these were 3.0. Sorry not to be more help! And oh I would love to see your hat on a kitten or a zombie…or perhaps a kitten-zombie…
Anna, Thanks so much for this! We made them today. I modified the hat pattern for the head size we used (1″). I also did mine on DPNs so I wouldn’t have the seam. I wrote what I did on my blog. Let me know if that’s not ok with you – I just want to have the pattern saved for next time as I definitely want to make some of these for gifts!
It’s a big pleasure Emily, especially now that I’ve hopped over to your site and seen your beautiful pocket doll creations! Thank you very much for the link back, it’s very much appreciated. I look forward to seeing what else you and your ducklings create! x