In continuation with our profession gnomes, today’s pattern is for a crochet garbage gnome. Can you imagine our life without sanitation workers? It would be stinky for sure. So say thank you with this little gnome.
Below you will find the complete pattern and instructional photos for this crochet garbage gnome. You will also find all the materials, stitches, gauge, and sizing information. If you would like all of this in a nicely formatted printable format, you can purchase the Ad-Free Large Print PDF Pattern.
What does a Garbage Gnome Look Like?
You will be surprised how many people asked me to make the crochet garbage gnome to honor or sanitation workers. They keep our lives, homes, neighborhoods clean. They deserve a big thank you!
So what does a person in this profession wear? Luckily my dad manages a shop where they fix the garbage trucks and I had a good source to ask. He told me that, the drivers get to wear whatever they want. Of course, this made designing the gnome harder. What I did find out is that they are given hard hats and safety vests or shirts for when they go to the dump.
So for this crochet garbage gnome, I decided to do green overalls with a safety vest and hard hat. If you want to do jeans and a shirt, then you can simply change the colors for those rows. Feel free to get creative with the pattern.
How to Customize your Gnome
This crochet gnome pattern can be customized in a variety of ways. You can make the gnome a woman by adding the braids instead of a beard.
Change the shirt, and pants colors to any color you like. You can change the gnome’s skin color and hair color as well. I like to use Red Heart Super Saver Aran, Buff, Cafe Latte, and Coffee for skin tones.
Don’t Miss a Single Pattern
If you love to crochet and you don’t want to miss a single free crochet pattern, make sure to sign up for the newsletter! I will send you a quick email a couple of times a week to let you know what is new. Plus you get access to a variety of crochet related printables.
Purchase the Premium Ad-Free PDF Pattern
Below you will find the free pattern with all the instructional photos and videos needed to complete the pattern, but I am also aware that several of us like to crochet on the couch, in the car, or in bed with a print out of the pattern. This is why I also offer a nicely formatted ad-free large font PDF version of the pattern. You can print the pattern and take it on the go with you or tuck it into your project bag or basket.
I moved all the photos to the end of the PDF so you can reference them as you needed them and print just the pattern without using up as much ink. The Premium PDF version of the pattern can be purchased on Etsy.
More Crochet Gnomes you may Love
Don’t forget to check out all the free patterns at Winding Road Crochet. You may just find a new favorite project. Here are some great patterns you will love.
Crochet Garbage Gnome
Pin pattern to Pinterest!
Save to Ravelry Favorites!
Purchase Premium PDF Pattern on Etsy!
Materials Needed
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information refer to my Terms and Conditions.
72 yds of Red Heart Super Saver, Tea Leaf
32 yds of Red Heart Super Saver, Coffee
37 yds of Red Heart Super Saver, Soft White
10 yds of Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, Charcoal
3 yds of Red Heart Super Saver Yarn, Buff (Skin tone)
5 yds of Red Heart Super Saver, Gold
Crochet Hook, Size E, 3.5mm
Polyfil
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Locking Stitch Markers
**Shop my Favorite Tools Here**
Stitches and Abbreviations
CH – Chain
SC – Single Crochet
HDC – Half Double Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
SC2TOG – Single Crochet 2 stitches together
SLST – Slip Stitch
MC – Magic Circle (Video Tutorial)
Gauge and Size
Gauge – 5SC x 6 Rows = 1 inch
Size – Final Gnome is about 5 inches tall.
Special Stitches
SC2TOG – Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together – Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull the loop through the hook (2 loops on hook), insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull the loop through the hook, (3 loops on the hook) yarn over and pull the first loop through all the loops on the hook. Your decrease is complete.
Helpful Video Tutorials
I have completed video series that will walk you through how to crochet the basic gnome from start to finish.
Episode 1: Gnome Body (Plus Amigurumi Basics)
Episode 2: Nose, Arms, Feet
Episode 3: Beard and Braids
Episode 4: Gnome Hat
Episode 5: Assembling your Gnome
Other Helpful Videos
Easy way to make a Magic Circle
How to Change Colors in Crochet
Crochet Garbage Gnome Pattern
Notes:
-The pattern will be worked in a continuous round.
-The pattern is in US terms.
-Use a stitch marker to keep track of your rows.
Crochet Garbage Gnome Body
With Tea Leaf.
Row 1: Work 6 SC in a MC. (6)
Row 2: *2SC in the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (12)
Row 3: *SC in the next ST, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (18)
Row 4: *SC in the next 2 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (24)
Row 5: *SC in the next 3 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (30)
Row 6: *SC in the next 4 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (36)
Row 7: *SC in the next 5 STs, 2Sc in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (42)
Row 8: *SC in the next 6 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (48)
Row 9-13: SC in the next STs. (48)
Row 14-15: Change color to Coffee, SC in the next STs. (48)
Row 16-20: Change colors to Tea Leaf, SC in the next STs. (48)
Row 21: *SC in the next 6 STs, SC2TOG,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (42)
Row 22: *SC in the next 5 STs, SC2TOG,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (36)
Row 23: SLST to the next 2 STs.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Crochet Garbage Gnome Hard Hat
With Soft White.
Row 1: Work 6 SC in a MC. (6)
Row 2: *2SC in the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (12)
Row 3: *SC in the next ST, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (18)
Row 4: *SC in the next 2 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (24)
Row 5: *SC in the next 3 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (30)
Row 6: *SC in the next 4 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (36)
Row 7: *SC in the next 5 STs, 2Sc in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (42)
Row 8-11: SC in next 42 STs. (42)
Row 12: *SC in the next 6 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (48)
Row 13: *SC in the next 7 STs, 2Sc in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (54)
Row 14: *SC in the next 8 STs, 2Sc in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (60)
Row 15: HDC in next 4 STs, 2 HDC in next ST, HDC in next 9 STs, 2 HDC in next ST, HDC in next 4 STs, SC in next ST, SLST in next 2 STs.
Fasten off and weave in the ends. The last row is only worked half way around the hat to create a larger brim.
Arms (Make 2)
With Buff (Skin tone)
Row 1: Work 6 SC in a MC. (6)
Row 2-4: SC in the next 6 Sts. (6)
Change to Tea Leaf.
Row 6-8: SC in the next 6 Sts. (6)
Fasten off leaving a 10 inch tail to sew the arm to the body.
Feet (Make 2)
With Coffee.
Row 1: Work 6 SC in a MC. (6)
Row 2: *2SC in the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (12)
Row 3-5: SC in the next 12 STs. (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Lightly stuff the feet and sew them to the front of the gnome body.
Nose
With Skin Color (Buff)
Row 1: Work 6 SC in a MC. (6)
Row 2-3: SC in the next 6 STs. (6)
Fasten off leaving a 10 inch tail to sew the nose to the body.
Safety Vest
CH 51 with Gold
Row 1:SC in the 2nd CH from the hook. SC in the next 5 CH, 3SC in the next CH. SC in the next 36 CH, 3SC in the next CH, SC in the next 6 CH.
Row 2: Change to White, CH1, turn, SC into 1st 7 STs, 2SC into next ST, SC into next 38 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 7 STs.
Row 3: Change to Gold, CH1, turn, SC into 1st 8 STs, 2SC into next ST, SC into next 40 STs, 3SC into next ST, SC into next 8 STs.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Find the center 8 Stitches of the vest. We will be working into these 8 stitches.
Row 4: SLST to the starting CH on one side of the 8 center stitches. CH1, SC into the 8 center STs.
Row 5-9: Ch1, turn, SC into next 8 STs.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Garbage Bag
With Charcoal.
Row 1: Work 6 SC in a MC. (6)
Row 2: *2SC in the next ST* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (12)
Row 3: *SC in the next ST, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (18)
Row 4: *SC in the next 2 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (24)
Row 5: *SC in the next 3 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (30)
Row 6: *SC in the next 4 STs, 2SC in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (36)
Row 7: *SC in the next 5 STs, 2Sc in the next ST,* repeat from *to* a total of 6 times. (42)
Row 8-20: SC in next 42 STs. (42)
Fasten off leaving a long yarn end. Use this yarn end to weave down to row 18. Weave in and out of row 18 and gather up the top of the bag. Sew the garbage bag to one of the gnome’s hands.
Crochet Gnome Beard (Male Gnome)
CH12 with Dusty Grey.
Row 1: SC in the 2nd CH from hook and each CH across. Fasten off. (11)
Cut 21 eight-inch strands of yarn for the beard. Group three strands together and attach them to the 7 center single crochet like you would add fringe to a scarf. (See Photo Below)
Before stuffing your gnome, sew your beard on to you gnome in a U shape. Make sure to leave room for the nose and keep the ends close to the edge of the top of the body to be able to hide them with the hat.
If you choose, braid your beard and secure with a small piece of yarn.
Give your beard a little trim to shape and lightly mist it with some water, style the beard and let it dry that way to hold that shape.
If you wish, you can untwist the yarn in the beard to have more hair-like strands.
Braids (Make 2) (For Female Gnome)
CH7 with Gold
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd Ch from hook and each Ch across. Fasten off. (6)
Cut 12 10 inch strands of gold yarn for the two braids. Attach one strand of yarn to each Single Crochet like you would attach fringe to a scarf. Grab 3 groups of four strands and braid the hair together. Use a piece of yarn to secure the braids at the bottom. Sew the braids onto the body of the gnome before stuffing the gnome.
Crochet Garbage Gnome Assembly Instructions
You can use a yarn needle and yarn to sew each piece together in the order listed below or you can hot glue the pieces together (this is what I did) if they are not going to be played with by kids.
1. Stuff and Sew Feet to the front of the gnome.
2. Sew the safety vest around the body of the gnome.
3. Sew the beard onto the gnome. (If making a man) The beard will have the crocheted row shaped like a U. Style the beard and trim it.
4. Sew the arms onto the gnome and sew the bag to one of the gnome’s hands.
5. Sew the braids onto the gnomes (if making a woman). I sewed these directly on top of the arms but you can position them where you think they look best.
6. Sew the nose on top of the beard or between the braids.
7. Stuff the body and hat and sew the hat onto the body.
8. Enjoy your gnome!
I truly hope you enjoyed the crochet garbage gnome pattern and will check back for more fun crochet gnome patterns.
Let’s Be Friends
Want to know what I am making next? Follow me on Instagram @windingroadcrochet to see sneak peeks of what I am up to and to be notified of when I release new free patterns. You can also follow me on Pinterest and Facebook. Join our Facebook group Our Crochet Journey and be a part of our community. Share, photos, ask for help and be inspired all in one place!
Written pattern, tutorials, photos, graphs, and pdfs of the Crochet Garbage Gnome pattern are copyright Windingroadcrochet.com. Please do not reprint or repost this content as your own, but please feel free to share this link with others. You can find more information on sharing my work with others in the Terms and Conditions Page.
