Gnome Santa & Mrs. Claus Cutlery Holder: Crochet Pattern

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Gnome Santa & Mrs. Claus Cutlery Holder

Not Just Another AI Photo

The back story: My aunt posted a photo of a Santa & Mrs. Claus cutlery holder set, and tagged my mother in it as a holiday gift hint. I knew full well that my mother wouldn’t be making these anytime soon, and decided it was an easy, inexpensive, quick-to-make gift that I could send her. Well, the search for a pattern that offered quality as well as no cost, became Mission: Impossible #9! Sorry, Tom, I don’t think even you could find the pattern I was looking for, suspended from a ceiling while dodging trip-wire laser beams.

Two letters sum up my impossible mission: A & I. Half the images I found of similar items were just AI-generated photos – click-bait style images for attention only. No pattern, most times, not even a web page was opened when clicking on the photo. Sadly, patience is not a virtue I possess, and when it comes to fiber arts it’s easy to persuade myself to throw in the searching towel and just make my own pattern (see my Mother Hen Keepsake Stuffie pattern for another example of this). With the towel thrown in, I got to work – see, sometimes no patience can work in one’s favor – and now we all have a FREE pattern that’s cute and quick to follow. I highly advise avoiding the search…just bookmark this page, and grab your yarn and hook. Let’s settle in and make something!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

Yarn Bee Soft Secret brand yarn is what I used – 1 skein in Ivory and 1 in Garnet.
US G (4.25mm) Crochet Hook
Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stuffing (the stuffed animal kind, not the yummy Thanksgiving kind), Split Wooden Balls

The Language of Crochet

MC: Magic Circle
DC: Double Crochet
HDC: Half Double Crochet
SL: Slip Stitch
SC: Single Crochet
Dec.: Decrease (SC or DC 2-together)
Ch: Chain
BLO: Back Loop Only
3LHDC: 3rd Loop Half Double Crochet
PS: Popcorn Stitch
(#): Stitch Count

Notes

This design is NOT worked in a continuous round. Each round is joined by a slip stitch through the first stitch of that round for a clean, level finish.
Weaving in the Magic Circle tail before finishing all rounds makes it an easier task.
Dec. is simply, SC or DC 2-together, whichever stitch is being used in that round.
Finished body dimensions are, roughly, 10″ L x 4″ W.
Keep your old pillows to re-use the stuffing in projects like this!

Gnome Body

With Garnet Yarn: Ch 15

Round 1: 2 SC in 2nd Ch from the hook, SC in the next 12 Ch, 2 SC in last Ch. Going down the other side of the starting 15 Ch: 2 SC on the other side of the Ch you just put 2 in. SC in the next 12 Ch, 2 SC in the last Ch. Connect with SL to 1st SC. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch in any rounds). (32)

Round 2: BLO SC in each stitch around. SL to join, Ch 1. (32)

Round 3: HDC in each stitch around. SL to join, Ch 1. (32)

Rounds 4-5: 3LHDC in each stitch around. SL to join, Ch 1. (32)

Rounds 6-7: SC in each stitch around. SL to join, Ch 1 after round 6; Ch 2 after round 7. (32)

Round 8: *PS in next stitch. DC in next.* Repeat * to * all the way around. SL to join, Ch 1. (32)

Rounds 9-10: SC in each stitch around. SL to join, Ch 1 after round 9, Ch 2 after round 10. (32)

Repeat Rounds 3-10: 18 rounds made

Round 19: DC in each stitch around. Pick up Ivory yarn, Ch 1. Do not finish off garnet yarn – it’s used later. (32)

Next Step: Gnome Hat Brim

Gnome Hat Brim

With Ivory Yarn:

Round 20: FLO SC in each stitch around. Ch 1 (32)

Rounds 21-23: SC in each stitch around. Finish off and fold over front of body. (32)

Next Step: Gnome Hat

Gnome Hat

Pick up garnet yarn from body at round 20: Ch 2

Round 24: SC into the back of next 16 stitches in round 20, Ch 16. Connect with SL to first SC. Ch 2. (32)

Round 25: DC in each stitch around. Connect with SL to 1st DC. Ch 2. (32)

Round 26: *DC in next 6 stitches, Dec.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL to first DC. Ch 2. (28)

Round 27: *DC in next 5 stitches, Dec.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL to first DC. Ch 2. (24)

Round 28: *DC in next 4 stitches, Dec.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL to first DC. Ch 2. (20)

Round 29: *DC in next 3 stitches, Dec.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL to first DC. Ch 2. (16)

Round 30: *DC in next 2 stitches, Dec.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL to first DC. Ch 2. (12)

Round 31: *DC in next stitch, Dec.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL to first DC. Ch 2. (8)

Rounds 32-34: DC in each stitch around. Ch. 2. (8)

Finish Off: Cut a long tail and weave through each DC and through ending loop. Pull tight to finish off. Weave in all cut ends from hat, body and brim.

Next Step: Hat Pom

The hat opening allows you to insert your flatware, if desired.

Hat Pom

With Ivory Yarn:

Round 1: SC 5 into a MC. Connect last SC to first with SL. Ch 1. Pull tail tight to close. (5)

Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around. Connect to first SC with SL. Ch 1. (10)

Round 3: 2 SC in first stitch, 1 SC in next. *2 SC in next stitch, 1 SC in next.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL. Ch 1. (15)

Round 4: 2 SC in first stitch, 1 SC in next 2 stitches. *2 SC in next stitch, 1 SC in next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL. Ch 1. (20)

Round 5: SC in each stitch around. Connect with SL. Ch 1. (20)

Round 6: *Dec., SC in next 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL. Ch 1. (15)

Round 7: *Dec., SC in next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Connect with SL. Ch 1. (10) Stuff with polyfill at this point.

Round 8: Dec. around. Connect with SL. Ch 1. (5) Cut long tail, weave through each stitch and through ending loop. Pull tight. Weave in the tail end after using it to sew pom to top of hat.

Next Step: Finishing Touches

Alternatively, a regular pom-pom could be used.

Finishing Touches

Beard & Braids: Cut ivory pieces long enough to fold and add as you would fringe to a scarf. Braid for Mrs., or split the strands for Santa to fill out his beard.

Nose: Use hot glue to attach wooden half rounds, just under the hat brim.