Santa Gonk Amigurumi | Free Crochet Pattern

A pudgy little crochet Santa gnome is a fun, festive Christmas crochet project. This free crochet pattern will work up fast and give you a little holiday friend to put under your tree or on your mantle.

This guy has let his beard get a little out of control. It’s taken over not just his face, but his whole body. But at least he has that cute button nose sticking out through the curls.

Gnomes are one of my favorite creatures. Making a Santa gnome just seemed appropriate to decorate my house. And I am loving that I can even find tea towels this year that say “Gnome for the Holidays” and “Gnome Sweet Gnome” on them. What’s better than adding a little magic to the holidays?

Construction

The Santa gonk’s body is all one piece, shaped like a Hershey kiss.

His beard is then worked on the surface of the body. It’s an easy stitch made of chains that creates loop little curls, perfect for a fluffy beard.

His shoes and nose are attached after the fact.

5 Tips For Perfect Amigurumi Part Attachment can really help with positioning them.

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Santa Gonk | Free Crochet Pattern

All patterns are written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

Easy pattern. Knowledge needed of chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), increases and decreases. Knowledge of amigurumi part attachment is recommended.

Supplies

• Red Heart Super Saver yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 364 yds/7 oz/198 g, Cherry Red (RED), < 1 ball; Hunter Green (GRN), < 1 ball; Soft White (WHT), < 1 ball; Buff (BUFF), < 1 ball; Gold (GLD), < 1 ball; Black (BLK), < 1 ball.
• Furls G (4.00 mm) hook
• Polyfil stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Straight pins (optional)

Measurements

7” tall x 4” wide

Gauge

8 sts x 8 rows in sc = 2” x 2”

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
• For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
• Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case piece require repositioning.

Special Stitches

• Bobble Stitch: [YO, insert hook, YO, pull yarn through stitch, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook.] 2 loops remaining on hook. Repeat into SAME stitch until there are 6 loops on your hook. YO and pull through all six loops.

Instructions

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Hat/Body

With RED, ch. 2

Rnd 1: 4 sc in second chain from hook. (4)

Rnd 2: [Sc, inc] twice. (6)

Rnd 3: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12)

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] twice. (14)

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] twice. (16)

Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] twice. (18)

Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] twice. (20)

Rnd 11: [9 sc, inc] twice. (22)

Rnd 12: [10 sc, inc] twice. (24)

Rnd 13: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 14: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. Place marker. (30)

Rnd 15: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 16: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnds 17-23: Sc evenly around.

Start stuffing.

Rnd 24: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 25: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 26: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 27: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Finish stuffing.

Rnd 28: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Round Boots

With BLK, ch 8.

Sc in second chain from hook, 6 sc, turn. (7)

Rnd 1: Ch 1, inc, 2 sc, hdc, 2 dc, 3 dc in last stitch do not turn, working in the underside of the starting chain, 3 dc in 1^st ch, 2 dc, hdc, 2 sc, inc in last stitch, sl st to join. (20)

Rnd 2: Ch 1. 2sc, sc 6, 2sc in next 4 stitches, sc 6, 2sc in next 3 stitches. Sl st to join. (28)

Rnd 3: Ch 1. Sc around in back loops only. Sl st to join. (28)

Rnd 4: Ch 1. Sc 6, [sc2tog] 4 times, sc 14. Sl st to join. (24)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, Sc 4, [sc2tog] 3 times, sc 14. S st to join. (21)

Bind off, leaving long tail for sewing.

You may stuff the boots now; however I find it easier to stuff them during attachment.

For Santa’s boots, use a yarn needle and GLD stitch a square in the top of the boot. Repeat in same sts so the buckle is two strands wide.

If you would like to learn to make your Santa into an Elf gonk, the pattern for the pointy boots is a BONUS on the Santa Gonk Premium Pattern.

Beard

Using WHT, work back and forth in rows, working stitches onto the outside of the body.

Row 1: Starting at marked stitch in Rnd 14, sl st, ch 7, [sc, ch 7] 14 more times, turn. (14 loops, 7 chs)

Row 2: [Sc, ch 7] 14 times along row directly below Row 1, turn. (14 loops, 7 chs)

Rows 3-7: Repeat Row 2, sl st back into last sc to close last loop.

Bind off and weave in ends.

Nose

With BUFF, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12)

Rnds 3-4: Sc evenly around. (12)

Rnd 5: Bobble st (see Special Stitches), 7 sc, bobble st, 3 sc. (12)

Stuff.

Bind off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Attach boots to bottom of body, toes facing the front of the beard. I find the boots are easier to stuff if you attach them the body first, leave a small hole to stuff near the back, then finish attachment.

Attach nose with bobble stitches down, centered in the beard and centered above the feet.

Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.

© Hooked by Kati LLC 2017-2025

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If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.

Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.

Here’s a few more FREE crochet patterns you might like:

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT

GNOME BOTTLE TOPPER

INDOOR SNOWBALLS

Yarn on, 

Kati

Kati Brown

Kati is the designer behind Hooked by Kati. With thousands of patterns sold around the world, Kati prides herself in creating innovative, easy-to-follow amigurumi patterns. She has designed for several publications, including Crochet!, Crochet World, Simply Crochet, and I Like Crochet. Kati finds her inspiration in science fiction, video games, and numerous visits to the zoo — all passions she shares with her husband and two boys.