Crochet Gnome Candy Cane Holder Ornament

Gnomes are such a staple of this season and what’s better than one wearing a Santa hat and holding a candy cane? There’s a single loop attached to his hat to allow him to be hung up to your tree. You can also make a batch of these and sell them at the craft fair or hide them around your house to be found. It’s all about creativity!

While I’ve added candy canes, you also have the option to use other such items such as Christmas-themed pencils, thin metal bookmarks, individually packaged Twizzlers and more! They make very good last-minute presents and are a great scrapbusting crochet project that can be worked up in just a couple of hours (including the stitching).

Related: If you want to make another small fun holiday-themed project that’s practical too, you should check out the Reindeer Coffee Cozy / Sleeve.

How to Crochet a Candy Cane Holder Ornament

To ensure this holder turns out right and the candy canes remain secure, it’s important to follow the construction instructions.

This crochet candy cane holder is constructed by crocheting a few small pieces including the hat, body, and candy cane holder, and then assembling them. Be sure to have all of them with you before you start seaming!

First, you’ll crochet two heads/bodies. Then you’ll crochet a hat, nose, and candy cane holder mittens. After assembling all pieces, you’ll crochet a simple hanging loop and attach it.

Best Yarn for Crochet Holder Ornaments

For a crochet gnome candy cane holder ornament, while there are many options to choose from, and you can choose to just use leftover yarn from your stash, I used 100% mercerized cotton yarn. Cotton yarn is great for crochet items that need to be durable and hold their shape, such as this one. If you’re hanging the ornament on your tree, it might get a bit dirty and cotton yarn is very easy to wash up.

It’s also readily available and can come in a variety of colors in case you want to make other projects with it.

These adorable crochet candy cane holders also make great DIY Christmas Gift Tags! We have several other characters, including: Gingerbread Boy & Girl, Reindeer, Snowman, Santa, and an Elf.

Yarn

This crochet headband was designed with a worsted weight yarn to make sure it would strike the right balance between being too heavy and too light. I chose not to use a bulky yarn for fear it would be too thick to work up the delicate smaller pieces of this ornament. Any lighter and he might not be able to hold the candy cane!

I chose Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn for my crochet ornament. This is a worsted weight / 4, cotton yarn and it’s currently available in many solid colors. This yarn offers a smooth even texture in a contemporary color palette with plenty of neutral tones.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• invsc2tog: invisible single crochet decrease
• Rnd: round
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• SM: stitch marker
• FLO: front loop only
• yo: yarn over

Experience Level

• Easy

Gauge

• Measurements are given throughout the pattern.

Sizes

• One Size: 3.25″ W x 6.5″ H (not including beard or hanging loop)

Special Stitches

• Invisible Single Crochet Decrease (invsc2tog): Insert hook into the FLO of stitch indicated, insert hook into the FLO of the next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru all loops on hook.

Pattern Notes

• Yarn Notes: Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton (3.5oz / 100 g / 186 yards / 170 meters / 100% mercerized cotton) was used for the samples. Other worsted weight yarns can be substituted.
• Yardage & Colors
  • Head / Body: 22 yards
  • Hat: 15 yards
  • Nose & Hands/Mittens: 8 yards
  • Beard: 9 yards
• Construction: This crochet candy cane holder is constructed by crocheting a few small pieces and then assembling them. First, you’ll crochet two heads/bodies. Then you’ll crochet a hat, nose, and candy cane holder mittens. After assembling all pieces, you’ll crochet a simple hanging loop and attach it.

Candy Cane Holder Ornament – Written Pattern

Gnome’s Head / Body

Make 2: You will make two (a front and a back). Because the Gnome’s head / body has two layers, you don’t need to weave in all the ends from adding all of the little details. Once you join the two layers, all those ends will be hidden.

Note: The Gnome’s head / body is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Rnd 1 (RS): With yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 6 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: [ (sc, hdc) in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st, (hdc, sc) in the next st ] work from [ to ] 2 times. Do not join. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [ sc in the next st, (sc, hdc) in the next st, 2 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, (hdc, sc) in the next st, sc in the next st ] work from [ to ] 2 times. Do not join. (20 sts) At this point, your oval should measure approximately 1.375″ W x 1.75″ H.

Rnd 4: [ hdc in each of the next 3 sts, (2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next st) 3 times ] work from [ to ] 2 times, hdc in each of the next 2 sts. Do not join. (26 sts) At this point, your oval should measure approximately 1.785″ W x 2.375″ H.

Row 5: [ hdc in each of the next 3 sts, (2 hdc in the next st, hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 3 times ] work from [ to ] 2 times, hdc in each of the next 2 sts. Do not join. (32 sts)

Row 6: hdc in each of the next 2 sts, sc in each of the next 2 sts, (sc, hdc) in the next st, hdc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in each of the next 3 sts, (hdc, sc) in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, (hdc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st) 4 times, hdc in the next st. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (39 sts)

Approximate size of your egg shaped head should be approximately 3″ W (at the widest point) x 3.5″ H.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Make a second Gnome Head / Body, then continue on to the Gnome’s Hat.

Gnome Hat

Gauge: In sc with a 5.00mm crochet hook: 4.5 sts = 1.25″; 4.5 rows = 1.25″

Striped Hat: To make a striped hat, work the set-up and all odd numbered rows in one and all even numbered rows in another color.

Set-Up: With yarn & a 5.50mm crochet hook, ch 27, being careful not to twist the ch, sl st to the back hump of the 1st ch. (27 chs)

Rnd 1 (RS): Switch to a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 1, working into the back humps of the foundation ch, sc in each ch around. Do not join. (27 sts)

Rnds 2 – 3: FLO sc in each st around. (27 sts)

Rnd 4: (FLO sc in each of the next 7 sts, FLO invsc2tog) 3 times. (24 sts)

Rnds 5 – 6: FLO sc in each st around. (24 sts)

Rnd 7: (FLO sc in each of the next 4 sts, FLO invsc2tog) 4 times. (20 sts)

Rnd 8: FLO sc in each st around. (20 sts)

Rnd 9: (FLO sc in each of the next 3 sts, FLO invsc2tog) 4 times. (16 sts)

Rnds 10 – 11: FLO sc in each st around. (16 sts)

Rnd 12: (FLO sc in each of the next 2 sts, FLO invsc2tog) 4 times. (12 sts)

Rnd 13: FLO sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 14: (FLO sc in the next st, FLO invsc2tog) 4 times. (8 sts)

Rnd 15: FLO sc in each st around. (8 sts)

Rnd 16: (FLO invsc2tog) 4 times. (4 sts)

Rnd 17: FLO sc in each st around. (4 sts)

Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to close the tip of the hat. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, close the tip of the hat. Weave in ends. Continue on to the Candy Cane Holder Mittens. Gnome hat should be approximately 3-1/8″ W x 4-1/2″ H (laid flat).

Candy Cane Holder Mittens

Rnd 1: With yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 10, working into the back humps of the chain, sc in 6th ch from hook, sc in each of the last 4 chs, ch 5. Join with sl st to 1st st. (10 sts + 2 ch-5’s)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each of the first 5 sts, work all of the following in the next ch-5 loop (2 sc, ch 2, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc, 3 hdc, 2 sc), then sc in each of the next 5 sts, work all of the following in the next ch-5 loop (2 sc, 3 hdc, sc, ch 2, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, 2 sc). Join. (28 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a 12″ tail of yarn. Weave in beginning tail of yarn. Leave the 12″ tail of yarn for later. Continue on to the Gnome’s Nose. Candy Cane Holder Mittens should measure approximately 2-3/4″ L x 1-1/4″ W (at the widest points).

Gnome’s Nose

Note: The Gnome’s nose is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Rnd 1 (RS): With ecru yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 4, working into the back hump of the foundation ch, work 3 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in the next ch, 3 sc in the next ch, rotate to work into the bottom of the foundation ch, sc in the next ch. Do not join. (8 sts)

Rnd 2: Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts. Do not join. (10 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc. (10 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a 12″ tail of yarn. Continue on to the Gnome’s Beard. The gnome’s nose should measure approximately 1″ W x 3/4″ H.

Gnome’s Beard

Cut 18 pieces of white yarn, 6″ long each.

Continue on to Assembly.

Assembly

Step 1: Take 3 pieces of the 6″ long white yarn you cut for the gnome’s beard and attach them to a stitch along the edge of the nose, like you attach yarn fringe. See photos below. Repeat for remaining 15 pieces of white yarn. Attach 3 pieces in 5 more stitches along the edge of the nose.

Step 2: Separate the plies of yarn to make the beard fuller looking. Trim the ends, if needed.

Step 3: Lay one of the gnome’s head / body pieces so that the right side is facing you and the fuller part is on the bottom. Then position the gnome’s nose on it, nearest the center. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach the nose to the gnome’s head / body. Weave in ends.

Step 4: Lay the candy cane holder mittens on the body of the gnome as shown in the photo below. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach the candy cane holder mittens to the body of the gnome. Weave in ends.

Step 5: With the wrong sides together, lay your Gnome’s head / body pieces on top of each other. Use locking stitch markers to help hold them together while you join them. With piece of yarn that is 4 times the perimeter of the Gnome’s head / body, and a yarn needle, join the two pieces by inserting your yarn needle up through one stitch along the perimeter and down through the next stitch. Repeat this all the way around the edge of the Gnome’s Head / Body. Weave in ends.

Step 6: Place the gnome’s hat on top of his head. Pull it down far enough that the hat slouches a little on top of his nose and the sides come down a little further. With a yarn needle and an 18″ piece of yarn, attach the hat to the gnome’s head. Weave in ends.

Continue on to the Hanging Loop.

Hanging Loop

With any color yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, create a chain that is 6″ long. Join with a sl st to the 1st ch.

Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn. With a yarn needle & tail of yarn, sew the hanging loop onto the back of the Gnome’s Hat. Weave in ends.

Hanging Loop Alternative

You could also use a 6″ piece of ribbon as a hanging loop, instead.

Then attach it to the back of the Gnome’s hat, with a needle and thread.