Add a sprinkle of whimsy to your holiday table with the Gnome Couple Utensil Holders, a festive crochet project that’s as charming as it is practical! 🍽️🧶 Each gnome features a soft red hat, a sweet round nose peeking out, and either a long fluffy beard or chunky braids—making them the perfect pair to cradle your silverware in cozy, handmade style. Whether you’re hosting a festive feast or simply want to brighten up everyday meals, these little helpers bring joy to every place setting.
Perfect for crocheters who love seasonal décor and playful details, this pattern invites you to stitch up a set that’s full of personality. Customize their hats, add tiny snowflakes or holly accents, or make a whole family of gnome holders for a truly magical table. The Gnome Couple Utensil Holders are a joyful way to stitch up warmth, cheer, and a sprinkle of handmade holiday magic—one loop at a time! 🧵🎄❤️
🎅 Gnome Couple Utensil Holders Crochet Pattern
Add a cozy handmade touch to your holiday table with these adorable Gnome Couple Utensil Holders. Each features a soft red hat, long fluffy beard or chunky braids, and a sweet round nose peeking out. They’re easy to make, festive, and the perfect way to hold silverware or candy canes on your Christmas table.
✨ Skill Level
Confident Beginner to Intermediate – worked flat and in the round, includes basic shaping, simple seaming, and fringe or braid techniques.
📏 Finished Size
Each gnome measures about 9 in (23 cm) tall and 3.5 in (9 cm) wide using worsted yarn and a 3.5 mm hook.
🧶 Materials
- Worsted weight yarn:
- Red – 50 g (main body and hat)
- White – 25–35 g (beard, braids, and pom-poms)
- Beige/skin tone – small amount (noses)
- 3.5 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle and scissors
- Stitch markers
- Optional: felt strips for pocket edge support
- Red ribbon or yarn ties for braids
🔤 Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR – Magic Ring
sc – single crochet
inc – increase (2 sc in same st)
dec – decrease (sc2tog)
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
FO – fasten off
🧣 Pocket Panel (Make 2)
With red yarn, ch 18.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (17). Ch 1, turn.
Rows 2–34: sc across (17). Ch 1, turn each row.
This creates a long rectangle about 23 cm tall.
Fold the bottom up about 15–16 cm (roughly two-thirds of total height) to form the pocket. Pin in place.
Seam: sc up both edges through both layers to close the sides. Leave the top open.
Continue without fastening off — this top edge becomes the start of the hat.
💡 Tip: For a crisp edge, slide a thin felt strip inside the pocket mouth before seaming.
🎩 Hat (Built on Top of Pocket)
Continue working along the top open edge: 17 sc evenly across.
H1: sc across (17).
H2: ch 1, turn, sc across (17).
H3: dec, sc 13, dec (15).
H4: sc across (15).
H5: dec, sc 11, dec (13).
H6: sc across (13).
H7: dec, sc 9, dec (11).
H8: sc across (11).
H9: dec, sc 7, dec (9).
H10: sc across (9).
H11: dec, sc 5, dec (7).
H12: sc across (7).
H13: dec, sc 3, dec (5).
H14: sc across (5).
H15: sc5tog to close. FO and weave in ends.
The hat should naturally droop slightly to one side. Lightly stuff if needed to hold shape.
🎀 Pom-Pom (White, Make 2)
R1: MR, 6 sc.
R2: inc around (12).
R3: sc around (12).
R4: (sc, dec) ×4 (8).
R5: dec ×4 (4). FO, stuff lightly, and sew to the tip of the hat.
👃 Nose (Make 2)
With beige yarn:
R1: MR, 6 sc.
R2: inc around (12).
R3: sc around (12).
R4: (sc, dec) ×4 (8). Stuff lightly, FO long tail.
Attach the nose centered where the hat meets the pocket, overlapping the seam slightly so it tucks under the hat brim.
🎅 Boy Gnome – Beard
Cut 60–80 strands of white yarn, each 13–14 cm long.
Attach using the latch-hook method in dense rows:
- First row directly under the nose.
- Second row one stitch below.
- Optional third row at the sides for fullness.
Finger-comb and trim into a soft arc shape.
🤶 Girl Gnome – Braids
Each braid is made from three crocheted tubes for the thick rope look.
Mini Tube (Make 6 – 3 per braid)
With white yarn:
R1: MR, 4 sc.
R2–22: sc around (4). FO long tail.
Sew three tubes side-by-side under the nose on the left; repeat on the right.
Braid each set snugly and tie near the ends with red ribbon or yarn about 3–3.5 cm from the bottom.
Tassel Ends
Cut 20–24 extra white strands (~10–11 cm each). Fold and tie beneath the braid ties for fluffy ends. Trim evenly.
🧵 Assembly
- Attach nose at seam line between hat and pocket.
- Add beard or braids.
- Sew or glue pom-pom to hat tip.
- Lightly steam or block to smooth the edges.
- Insert utensils handle-down so they peek from under the hat.
🎁 Finishing Touches
These gnome couple utensil holders add warmth and whimsy to your holiday table. You can also use them for candy canes, gift cards, or small treats. For a charming display, pair them with matching napkin rings or mini gnome ornaments.
