Star-Spangled Gnome Towel Topper Free Pattern – Knit a Festive Kitchen Accent

Add a touch of whimsy to your kitchen with this charming knitted gnome towel topper, featuring a classic red, white, and blue palette and a soft, textured beard. This quick project is perfect for gifting or adding patriotic flair to your own home. Whether you're crafting for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or simply to celebrate your love of country all year round, this adorable gnome will bring a smile to anyone who sees it. The combination of knitting and a bit of crochet makes this a fun, engaging project that results in a practical and decorative piece for any kitchen.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather all your materials. This project uses worsted weight cotton yarn, which is ideal for kitchen items because it's durable, absorbent, and machine washable. Here's what you'll need:

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in the following colors (approx. 100g each):
  • Red (Main Color / MC)
  • White (Contrast Color 1 / CC1)
  • Navy Blue (Contrast Color 2 / CC2)
• Knitting Needles: US Size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles
• Crochet Hook: US Size G/6 (4.0mm) crochet hook (for the beard and nose)
• Other Supplies: Yarn needle for weaving in ends and assembly, scissors, stitch markers (optional), fiberfill stuffing for the beard and nose, and a standard hand towel (approx. 16 x 26 inches).

Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. It's always a good idea to knit a small swatch first to ensure your gauge matches, so your finished piece is the correct size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Finished Size: Fits standard hand towel (approx. 16 x 26 inches)

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit two together (a right-leaning decrease)
• SSK = slip, slip, knit (a left-leaning decrease)
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• MC = main color (Red)
• CC1 = contrast color 1 (White)
• CC2 = contrast color 2 (Navy)
• sc = single crochet
• sc2tog = single crochet two together (a decrease)

Towel Topper Body (Knit in one piece)

This entire piece is knitted from the bottom up in one continuous piece, which means minimal seaming and a cleaner finish. The buttonhole is created in the middle of the piece, which will later hold your towel.

Step 1: Cast On
With Red yarn (MC), CO 40 sts. Leave a tail of about 6 inches to weave in later.

Step 2: Stockinette Stitch Foundation
Row 1 (RS): K all sts.
Row 2 (WS): P all sts.
Repeat Rows 1-2 until piece measures 4 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. This forms the main body of the towel topper that will hang down over your towel.

Step 3: Create the Buttonhole
This is the clever part that holds your towel in place. The buttonhole is a horizontal slit that you'll create in the middle of your knitting.
Buttonhole Row (RS): K18, BO 4 sts, K18. You will now have 36 sts on your needle (18 on each side of the gap).
Next Row (WS): P18, CO 4 sts over the gap, P18. You have now cast on 4 new stitches over the gap, bringing your total back to 40 sts. This creates a neat, reinforced hole.

Step 4: Continue the Body
Continue in stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS) until piece measures 8 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. This section will be the back of the gnome's head and the area behind the beard.

Shape Gnome Hat

Now we'll shape the triangular hat that gives the gnome his classic silhouette. We'll do this by decreasing stitches on every right-side row.

Step 5: Begin Decreases
Row 1 (RS): K2tog, K36, SSK (38 sts). This decreases 2 stitches, one at each edge.
Row 2 (WS): P all sts.
Row 3: K2tog, K34, SSK (36 sts).
Row 4: P all sts.
Row 5: K2tog, K32, SSK (34 sts).
Row 6: P all sts.
Continue decreasing 2 sts every RS row (as above) until 10 sts remain, ending with a WS row. Your knitting should now look like a triangle with a flat bottom.

Step 6: Add the White Hat Band
Switch to White yarn (CC1):
Next Row (RS): K all sts.
Next Row (WS): P all sts.
Repeat these 2 rows for 2 inches. This creates the distinct white band of the gnome's hat. End with a WS row.

Step 7: Add the Navy Hat Tip
Switch to Navy yarn (CC2):
Continue in stockinette stitch for 3 inches. This creates the tall navy section of the hat.
Now, begin decreasing again on the Navy section: On RS rows, work K2tog, K to last 2 sts, SSK. Work a WS purl row in between. Repeat this decrease row every 2 rows until 4 sts remain. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (about 10 inches). Thread the tail through a yarn needle, slide it through the remaining 4 sts, and pull tight to close the hat tip. Weave in the end securely.

Gnome Beard (Crocheted)

The beard is crocheted in the round to create a fluffy, dimensional half-sphere. Don't worry if you're new to crochet—this is a simple project that uses basic stitches.

Step 8: Crochet the Beard
With White yarn (CC1) and your crochet hook, make a magic ring. If you're not familiar with a magic ring, you can chain 4 and slip stitch to form a ring instead.
Round 1: Work 6 sc into ring. Pull tight. (6 sts)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st* repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts* repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts* repeat around. (30 sts)
Rounds 6-8: Sc in each st around. (30 sts) This creates the height of the beard.
Round 9: *Sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts* repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 10: *Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts* repeat around. (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches) for sewing. Stuff the beard lightly with fiberfill to give it a soft, plump shape.

Step 9: Create the Nose
With Red yarn (MC), make a magic ring.
Round 1: Work 6 sc into ring. Pull tight. (6 sts)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rounds 3-4: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 5: Sc2tog around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff the nose with a tiny bit of fiberfill and sew it to the center of the beard, using the tail to secure it firmly.

Assembly

Now it's time to bring all the pieces together. This is where your gnome comes to life!

Step 10: Attach the Towel
Fold the towel in half lengthwise. Insert the folded end of the towel through the buttonhole loop on the back of the knitted piece. Pull the towel through until the buttonhole catches the towel securely. The buttonhole should grip the towel firmly, holding it in place. The knitted piece will hang down over the front of the towel.

Step 11: Sew on the Beard
Position the beard on the front of the towel topper, just below the white hat band, so that it covers the buttonhole area. This hides the buttonhole and creates the gnome's face. Using the long tail left from the beard, sew it securely to the knitted fabric. Make sure to catch both the beard and the knitted piece firmly.

Step 12: Sew on the Nose
Sew the red nose to the center of the beard, using the tail left from the nose. Make sure it's centered and secure.

Step 13: Add Patriotic Flair (Optional)
For an extra touch of charm, you can sew a small star button onto the white hat band, or embroider a tiny star using navy yarn. This adds a lovely detail that ties the whole patriotic theme together.

Step 14: Finishing Touches
Weave in all remaining ends with your yarn needle. If desired, block the piece gently by wetting it and laying it flat to dry, which will even out the stitches and give it a polished look.

And there you have it—a delightful, handmade Star-Spangled Gnome Towel Topper! This project is not only a joy to make but also a wonderful, functional piece of decor that will add a festive and cozy touch to your kitchen. Happy crafting, and enjoy your new patriotic kitchen companion!