Whimsical Woodland Gnome Coaster Free Pattern – Knit a Tiny Forest Friend

Bring Enchanted Forest Charm to Your Table with This Free Gnome Coaster Pattern

Imagine a tiny forest friend peeking up at you from your coffee table, ready to hold your mug and add a touch of whimsy to your daily routine. These adorable knitted gnome coasters are the perfect weekend project for crafters of all levels. Each coaster is a miniature work of art, featuring a pointy forest-green hat, a cream-colored face with a gentle smile, and a fluffy white beard that begs to be touched. Whether you're looking for a handmade gift that will bring joy or a charming addition to your own home decor, this free pattern will guide you through every step. Let's pick up our needles and create a little woodland magic!

Materials Needed for Your Woodland Gnome Coaster

Before we begin, gather these simple supplies. The beauty of this project is that it uses basic materials and creates something truly special.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in three colors: forest green (for the base and hat), cream (for the face), and soft brown (for the eyes and smile). You will also need a small amount of fluffy white yarn for the beard.
• Knitting Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles.
• Other Tools: A tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery, a crochet hook (any size) for attaching the beard, and a small amount of polyfill stuffing.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. (Don't worry too much about perfect gauge – the coaster just needs to be a nice size for a mug!)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Knitting Your Gnome Coaster

This pattern is worked flat and then seamed together. We'll break it down into manageable parts: the coaster base, the gnome face, the hat, and the beard. Follow along carefully, and you'll have a complete gnome in no time.

Part 1: Knitting the Coaster Base (Make 2 Pieces)

We'll start by knitting two identical circular pieces – one for the front and one for the back of your coaster. This gives it a nice, plush feel.

Instructions:

Using your forest green yarn, cast on 6 stitches.

• Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches. (6 sts)
• Row 2: Purl all stitches.
• Row 3: Kfb, k4, kfb. (8 sts) (Kfb means "knit front and back" – knit into the front of the stitch, then before slipping it off, knit into the back of the same stitch. This increases your stitch count by one.)
• Row 4: Purl all stitches.
• Row 5: Kfb, k6, kfb. (10 sts)
• Row 6: Purl all stitches.
• Row 7: Kfb, k8, kfb. (12 sts)
• Row 8: Purl all stitches.
• Row 9: Kfb, k10, kfb. (14 sts)
• Row 10: Purl all stitches.
• Row 11: Kfb, k12, kfb. (16 sts)
• Row 12: Purl all stitches.
• Row 13: Kfb, k14, kfb. (18 sts)
• Row 14: Purl all stitches.
• Row 15: Kfb, k16, kfb. (20 sts)
• Row 16: Purl all stitches.
• Row 17: Kfb, k18, kfb. (22 sts)
• Row 18: Purl all stitches.
• Row 19: Kfb, k20, kfb. (24 sts)
• Row 20: Purl all stitches.
• Row 21: Kfb, k22, kfb. (26 sts)
• Row 22: Purl all stitches.
• Row 23: Kfb, k24, kfb. (28 sts)
• Row 24: Purl all stitches.
• Row 25: Kfb, k26, kfb. (30 sts)
• Row 26: Purl all stitches.
• Row 27: Kfb, k28, kfb. (32 sts)
• Row 28: Purl all stitches.
• Row 29: Kfb, k30, kfb. (34 sts)
• Row 30: Purl all stitches.
• Row 31: Kfb, k32, kfb. (36 sts)
• Row 32: Purl all stitches.
• Row 33: Kfb, k34, kfb. (38 sts)
• Row 34: Purl all stitches.
• Row 35: Kfb, k36, kfb. (40 sts)
• Row 36: Purl all stitches.
• Row 37: Kfb, k38, kfb. (42 sts)
• Row 38: Purl all stitches.
• Row 39: Kfb, k40, kfb. (44 sts)
• Row 40: Purl all stitches.
• Row 41: Kfb, k42, kfb. (46 sts)
• Row 42: Purl all stitches.
• Row 43: Kfb, k44, kfb. (48 sts)
• Row 44: Purl all stitches.
• Row 45: Kfb, k46, kfb. (50 sts)
• Row 46: Purl all stitches.
• Row 47: Kfb, k48, kfb. (52 sts)
• Row 48: Purl all stitches.
• Row 49: Kfb, k50, kfb. (54 sts)
• Row 50: Purl all stitches.
• Row 51: Kfb, k52, kfb. (56 sts)
• Row 52: Purl all stitches.
• Row 53: Kfb, k54, kfb. (58 sts)
• Row 54: Purl all stitches.
• Row 55: Kfb, k56, kfb. (60 sts)
• Row 56: Purl all stitches.

Bind off loosely. Repeat this entire process to create a second identical piece. Set both aside.

Part 2: Embroidering the Gnome Face

Now we'll bring our gnome to life on one of the coaster pieces. This is the front of your coaster.

• Create the Face: Using your cream yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider a small oval in the center of the coaster. The oval should be about 1.5 inches wide and 2 inches tall. Use a satin stitch – this means making straight, parallel stitches close together to fill in the shape completely.
• Add the Eyes: Using your brown yarn, create two small French knots for the eyes. Place them symmetrically on the cream oval, about halfway down. To make a French knot, bring the needle up through the fabric, wrap the yarn around the needle twice, then insert the needle back down close to where it came up, pulling gently to form a small knot.
• Stitch a Smile: Using your brown yarn again, embroider a small, gentle smile just below the eyes using a backstitch. This creates a continuous, solid line.

Part 3: Knitting the Gnome Hat

Every gnome needs a pointy hat! This is knitted flat and then seamed into a cone.

Instructions:

Using your forest green yarn, cast on 20 stitches.

• Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
• Row 2: Purl all stitches.
• Row 3: K2tog, k16, k2tog. (18 sts) (K2tog means "knit two together" – insert your right needle into two stitches at once and knit them as one. This decreases your stitch count.)
• Row 4: Purl all stitches.
• Row 5: K2tog, k14, k2tog. (16 sts)
• Row 6: Purl all stitches.
• Row 7: K2tog, k12, k2tog. (14 sts)
• Row 8: Purl all stitches.
• Row 9: K2tog, k10, k2tog. (12 sts)
• Row 10: Purl all stitches.
• Row 11: K2tog, k8, k2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 12: Purl all stitches.
• Row 13: K2tog, k6, k2tog. (8 sts)
• Row 14: Purl all stitches.
• Row 15: K2tog, k4, k2tog. (6 sts)
• Row 16: Purl all stitches.
• Row 17: K2tog, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
• Row 18: Purl all stitches.
• Row 19: K2tog, k2tog. (2 sts)
• Row 20: K2tog. (1 st)

Cut your yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitch and pull tight to close the top of the hat. Use the same tail to sew the side seam of the hat, creating a cone shape. Once seamed, gently fold the bottom edge up slightly to create a small brim.

Part 4: Creating the Fluffy Beard

This is where the magic happens! The fluffy beard gives your gnome his charming, cozy look.

• Cut several 3-inch lengths of your fluffy white yarn. You'll need about 15-20 pieces, depending on how full you want the beard.
• Take one piece and fold it in half. Insert your crochet hook through the edge of the coaster, just below the cream face oval.
• Catch the folded loop of the yarn with your hook and pull it through the knitted fabric, creating a small loop on the surface.
• Take the two loose ends of the yarn and pull them through this loop. Pull gently to tighten. This is called a "loop stitch" or "latch hook" method.
• Repeat this process around the bottom half of the face, from one side to the other, to create a full, fluffy beard. Place the loops close together for a dense look.

Part 5: Assembling Your Gnome Coaster

We're in the home stretch! Let's put it all together.

• Place your two coaster pieces together with their wrong sides (the back of the knitting) facing each other. The embroidered face should be on the outside of the front piece.
• Thread your tapestry needle with a long piece of forest green yarn. Using a whip stitch, sew around the entire edge of the circle. To whip stitch, bring the needle through both layers from back to front, then over the edge and back through from back to front, creating a diagonal stitch along the edge.
• Stop sewing when you have a small opening of about 1.5 inches left.
• Lightly stuff the coaster with your polyfill to give it a plush, padded feel. Don't overstuff – you want it to lie flat on a table.
• Continue your whip stitch to close the opening completely. Weave in the yarn end securely.
• Finally, sew the hat onto the top of the face, slightly overlapping the forehead. Position it at a jaunty, slightly tilted angle for extra charm. Sew it securely in place using the forest green yarn and your tapestry needle.
• Weave in all remaining loose ends on the back of the coaster.

Congratulations! You've just created a whimsical woodland gnome coaster. Make a set of four to complete your table setting, or give them as heartfelt, handmade gifts. Each one is sure to bring a smile and a touch of forest magic to any space. Happy knitting!