I live in southern California. We don’t get much snow. I’m up high, but not in the mountains, so maybe once or twice a year. I moved here with my family from upstate NY (lots of snow) and lived in many snowy places before that. Christmas season without any snow was weird at first. Then I started to love having roses blooming in January, lots of sunshine, blue skies through the winter, and using no more than a cardigan.

We still love the holidays, though. So I decided to design a fun SoCal flavored Gnome with playful colors and a beachy attitude. I chose Love Crafts’ “Paintbox Simply DK” for the yarn. I ordered several colors. As shown, the Gnome uses 6 colors, but can be simplified. It’s a soft acrylic, not stodgy; and it’s inexpensive. I plan on making other Gnomes in different colors and of course, you can always use the lovely traditional red, white, and green.

This is a pretty easy knit. It’s made in the round (except for beard and feet). You can really have fun with the colors. Give him (or her with no beard) different skin tones and beard and outfit colors. The Gnome is big enough to be seen across the room. Cute enough to leave out year round, if you like!

This pattern should be used for decoration or toys for older children only. It’s a good stash-buster project!