Go Big or Go Gnome Mittens

Free on Knitty

The Go Big or Go Gnome pattern collection has a beanie and a pullover for those who really want to Go Gnome! The hat and the sweater pattern complete your gnome-tastic look!

Is it the beards? The pointy hats? The brims drooping over the eyes? I don’t know what it is about gnomes, but I sure can’t stop knitting them! I’ve designed a few 3D gnomes, but I wanted to see if I could bring their whimsy to colourwork.

These mittens came about because I wanted to wear gnomes where I could see them and smile. I’m looking forward to wrapping these gnomes around steering wheels, mugs, and shopping bag handles all winter long!

SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL) – XS is child/adult, the other sizes are all adult

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) inches/16.5 (18, 19, 20, 21.5) cm
Length: 5.25 (6, 6.5, 7.5, 7.75) inches/13 (15, 16.5, 19, 19.5) cm

SKILLS USED

  • knit and purl
  • knitting in the round
  • stranded colourwork
  • k2tog, ssk, CDD
  • M1L, M1R
  • chart reading

MATERIALS
Leading Men Fiber Arts 75% superwash merino, 25% nylon; 463yd/423m per 100g skein;

  • C1 Dames At Sea; 1 skein
  • C2 Sand Castle; 1 skein
  • C3 Poison Apple; 1 skein

With colourwork, it can be important to make sure that there is a big enough contrast between the different colours. In this pattern, Colour 1 needs to be quite distinct from 2 and 3, while those two can be quite close to each other. Looking for help picking colours? Check out my tutorial on How to Combine Yarn Colours.

1 set US 1.5/2.5mm needles for working small circumference in the round for your preferred method

Notions
yarn needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn

GAUGE
32 sts/40 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
34 sts/ 40 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stranded colourwork

This pattern has been tech edited and test knit.