Three little gnomes in pastel pink, lilac and sage hats peek out over fluffy beards, with long dangling legs that swing from a keychain ring. It is a complete amigurumi crochet kit for beginners: you crochet the pieces, stuff them and stitch them together into a little keepsake you made yourself.
Gnomes come from old European folklore, where these small bearded house and garden spirits were said to bring good luck to the home that looks after them. Amigurumi took off in Japan and spread around the world through craft blogs and video tutorials, and today it is one of the most popular ways to learn to crochet.
Why this kit: a small project you can finish in an evening or two; keychain rings included, so it can ride along on keys, a backpack or a bag; and practice yarn and video tutorials for complete beginners.
Kit includes: pale pink, cream, brown, lilac, sage green and yellow yarn, practice yarn, a crochet hook, a yarn needle, stitch markers, fiberfill, three keychain rings, a hot-melt glue stick, packaging bags, a basic brochure and illustrated crocheting instructions. Video tutorials are available to follow along. Not included: scissors.
Start with the video tutorials and practice the basic stitches on the practice yarn, then follow the pattern one piece at a time: crochet each part in rounds, mark the start of every round with a stitch marker, stuff it with fiberfill and sew the parts together with the yarn needle. The finished pieces are decorations for adults and teens, not toys for young children, as small parts can be a choking hazard.
It is a natural fit for a shelf, a tiered tray or a garden-themed corner, and makes a thoughtful gift for a gnome collector or a friend who loves cozy decor.
