something 'woolly' new & old

woolly gnome & mushroom pattern

Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all of you!

I am in the midst of editing a book, and am in the throws back and forth with my editor. So far so good. The book is scheduled to come out spring of 2015, just around the corner!

One of the patterns in the book is my Woolly Gnome & Mushroom with all its adaptations, with more details and photos to stimulate your creativity. As a result of this though, as of the first of the year (January 1, 2015), I will be pulling the free downloads off of my website and the only way to get them will be through my new book. So, head's up, get 'em while they last! I had some technical problems with putting Matilda the Witch on there, so if you want her just email me and I will send it directly to you.

But stay tuned because I have two new gnome PDF versions I'm playing with now for next year. I am excited to share them with you soon.

Happy knitting!

woolly santa ornament

woolly gnome & mushroom pattern

I created this santa gnome ornament over the holidays and just love him!

I used the same Woolly Gnome & Mushroom pattern. As you can see he is smaller than my usual gnome, a perfect size for the tree or wreath. I hung him along with my matroyshka doll ornament on my dining room chandelier -- decked with pine boughs, little glass pine cones and ball ornaments.

This gnome santa is made using Cascade 220 fingering weight red yarn and size 5 dps. I needle felted a bigger nose and used embroidery thread for the eyes. I knit the gnome’s hat’s brim with the cream yarn and once felted, needle felted a decorative trim on to give the brim a fur-like look. The beard is needle felted wool roving. No feet on this gnome.

I also stuffed him with woolly stuffing so it would hold its shape longer. Plus the stuffing allowed me to needle felt it afterwards into desired shape. I love woolly stuffing for that little trick alone!

It would be cute with a white jingle bell on top too.

Happy Knitting!