You have already met Pip, Harold, and Sidney. Perhaps you have knitted one for each grandchild, mixing up the colours, maybe even adding a name above the motif in duplicate stitch. They are, by all accounts, very popular little fellows.
But the thought of having all three of these Christmas gnome knitting patterns free on one baby jumper is simply too cosy not to cast on.
Meet the Three Wise Gnomes.
The trio chart is 46 stitches wide and 40 rows tall, designed to sit across the front panel of the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater. I have tweaked the colours slightly from the individual charts and worked out all the placement maths for every size, so you do not have to worry about positioning three gnomes across a jumper front. That part is already done.
The same rules apply as always. Small amounts from stash, no more than 10g of any single shade, and any DK will do the job beautifully. The smaller details are worked in duplicate stitch once the knitting is complete.
And if a jumper is not what you have in mind, the Three Wise Gnomes make a rather lovely cushion front too. Worked in stocking stitch on a plain panel, they would sit beautifully on a nursery chair or a Christmas sofa, and make a very pleasing gift that is not going to be grown out of by February.
*Scroll down for full size chart and legend
QUICK LOOK AT THE SWEATER
| Skill level | Confident Beginner |
| Construction | Worked flat, seamed |
| Techniques used | Stocking stitch, 2×2 rib, intarsia colourwork, duplicate stitch |
| Yarn | Stylecraft Special DK |
| Needles | 3.25mm and 4mm straight; 3.25mm circular (optional, for neckband) |
| Tension | 22 sts x 30 rows = 10cm x 10cm using 4mm needles and stocking stitch |
| Sizes | 0-6 months to 4-5 years (6 sizes) |
| What’s free | The Three Wise Gnomes chart and front panel instructions, right here on the blog |
| Full pattern | Free at janeburns.co.uk/free-baby-jumper-knitting-pattern-with-motif |
| Perfect for | Christmas gift knitting, boys and girls, confident beginners and above, nursery cushion making |
The Chart
About The Three Wise Gnomes Baby Knitting Chart
The Three Wise Gnomes are a set of free christmas gnome knitting patterns worked in stocking stitch, using the intarsia method for the main colour sections. Pip carries a present, Harold wears his best holly, and Sidney has a snowflake on his coat that suggests he takes winter very seriously. Together they make one of the cosiest Christmas jumper fronts you are ever likely to knit.
The trio chart is designed to sit across the full front panel of the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater, with the placement maths already worked out for every size. The base pattern gives you the full jumper construction, including the back, sleeves, neckband, and finishing instructions. This post gives you the trio chart, the full written row-by-row instructions, and everything you need to place all three gnomes on the front.
Very small areas of colour are worked in duplicate stitch once the knitting is complete, which keeps the number of bobbins in use to a manageable level.
Worked in Stylecraft Special DK, this is a practical, washable, easy-care choice for a children’s Christmas jumper. The yarn is widely available, affordable, and comes in exactly the shades you need for three very self-important little gnomes who have clearly coordinated their outfits.
If you would like to knit the gnomes individually, you can find all three charts in the Blank Canvas Motif Library.
Sizes
This pattern is sized to fit children from 0-6 months up to 4-5 years.
| Size | 0–6m | 6–12m | 12–18m | 18–24m | 2–3y | 4–5y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To fit chest | cm | 41 | 46 | 51 | 53 | 56 | 61 |
| in | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | |
| Actual chest | cm | 48 | 54 | 59 | 61 | 63 | 68 |
| in | 19 | 21.75 | 23.25 | 24 | 24.75 | 26.75 | |
| Finished length | cm | 27 | 29 | 32 | 35 | 37 | 39 |
| in | 10.5 | 11.5 | 12.5 | 13.75 | 14.5 | 15.25 | |
| Sleeve length | cm | 16 | 18 | 26 | 30 | 32 | 36 |
| in | 6.5 | 7 | 10.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 14.25 |
Materials
Yarn: Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic, 295m per 100g ball)
| Yarn | 0–6m | 6–12m | 12–18m | 18–24m | 2–3y | 4–5y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yarn A | Cloud Blue (1019) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Small amounts only — great stash busters | |||||||
| Claret | Stylecraft Special DK (1123) — hats and bodies | ||||||
| White | Stylecraft Special DK (1001) — beards, hat trim and snowflake | ||||||
| Fondant | Stylecraft Special DK (1241) — noses | ||||||
| Silver | Stylecraft Special DK (1203) — beard detail | ||||||
| Atlantis | Stylecraft Special DK (1202) — Pip’s legs | ||||||
| Grass Green | Stylecraft Special DK (1821) — Harold’s holly leaves | ||||||
| Metador | Stylecraft Special DK (1010) — Harold’s holly berries | ||||||
| Black | Stylecraft Special DK (1002) — boots and eyes | ||||||
Small amounts only for motif colours, no more than 10g of any single shade. Great stash busters.
If you do not have the stash buster shades to hand, a single ball of each will give you far more than you need and leave you with plenty for future projects.
Needles:
Straight 3.25mm and 4mm.
Circular 3.25mm useful for the neckband, but straight needles will work.
Also needed:
Darning needle
Stitch markers
Stitch holder
Tension:
22 sts x 30 rows = 10cm x 10cm using 4mm needles and stocking stitch. To save time, take time to check your tension.
Abbreviations
This pattern uses standard UK knitting abbreviations. You can download the free Knitting Abbreviations Guide from the shop here: Knitting Abbreviations Guide
How to work the christmas gnome knitting patterns
The Three Wise Gnomes are worked using the intarsia technique. This means each section of colour uses a separate small ball or bobbin of yarn, with no yarn carried across the back of the work.
If you have not tried intarsia before, it is more manageable than it looks. Very Pink Knits has a clear video guide to intarsia that is well worth watching before you cast on.
How to read the chart: Start at the bottom right-hand corner. Read right-side rows from right to left. Read wrong-side rows from left to right. Each square represents one stitch. Each row of squares represents one row of knitting.
A note on duplicate stitch: Where very small areas of colour appear in the chart, work these in duplicate stitch once the knitting is complete rather than adding extra bobbins. Duplicate stitch, also known as Swiss darning, sits on top of the knitted fabric and mimics the look of a knitted stitch perfectly. Very Pink Knits has a helpful video guide to duplicate stitch if you have not tried it before.
The Base Pattern
This gnome knitting chart is designed to be used with the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater. You will need the base pattern for the back, sleeves, neckband, and finishing instructions. The Blank Canvas Baby Sweater is free on the blog and available as a PDF in the shop.
Working the Front including The Three Wise Gnomes
You will find full instructions for the sweater, including Back, Sleeves, Neckband and making up in the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater here
Front
Cast on 52 (56: 64: 68: 72: 76) sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Repeat row 1 a further 7 (7: 9: 11: 13: 13) times.
Change to 4mm needles
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Start working from Chart
Row 1: K3 (5: 9: 11: 13: 15) using Yarn A, work row one from Chart, knit to end using Yarn A.
Row 2: P3 (5: 9: 11: 13: 15) using Yarn A, work row two from Chart, purl to end using Yarn A.
Continue working Chart as set to end. AT THE SAME TIME WHEN PIECE MEASURES 16 (18: 19.5: 20: 20: 21.5) cm from cast-on edge, place markers at beg and end of row to mark sleeve placement.
Next: Continue in stocking stitch until piece measures 27 (29: 32: 35: 37: 39)cm from cast-on edge, ending with a RS row.
Shape shoulders:
Next row: P15 (17: 19: 20: 22: 24), PM, p22 (22: 26: 28: 28: 28), PM, p15 (17: 19: 20: 22: 24).
Cast off, keeping markers in place.
The chart
Written Line by Line Chart
If you prefer to work from written instructions rather than from a chart you can work line by line from the instructions below. You will need to remember to work the stitches either side of the chart according to the size you have chosen.
For example:
Row 1: K3 (5: 9: 11: 13: 15) using Yarn A, work row one from Written Chart Instructions, knit to end using Yarn A.
Row 2: P3 (5: 9: 11: 13: 15) using Yarn A, work row two from Written Chart Instructions, purl to end using Yarn A.
Row 1: Cloud Blue x5, Black x3, Atlantis x1, Black x3, Cloud Blue x8, Black x3, Cloud Blue x1, Black x3, Cloud Blue x8, Black x3, Cloud Blue x1, Black x3, Cloud Blue x4
Row 2: Cloud Blue x3, Atlantis x2, Black x3, Atlantis x1, Black x3, Atlantis x2, Cloud Blue x4, Claret x2, Black x3, Claret x1, Black x3, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x4, Atlantis x2, Black x3, Atlantis x1, Black x3, Atlantis x2, Cloud Blue x2
Row 3: Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x13, Cloud Blue x2, Claret x13, Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x13, Cloud Blue x1
Row 4: Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x4, Claret x2, White x1, Claret x2, Atlantis x4, Cloud Blue x2, Claret x13, Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x13, Cloud Blue x1
Row 5: Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x4, Claret x2, White x1, Claret x2, Atlantis x4, Cloud Blue x2, Claret x13, Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x13, Cloud Blue x1
Row 6: Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x3, Black x2, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, Black x2, Atlantis x3, Cloud Blue x2, Claret x4, Silver x5, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x4, Silver x5, Atlantis x4, Cloud Blue x1
Row 7: Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x2, Silver x1, Black x2, White x3, Black x2, Atlantis x3, Cloud Blue x2, Claret x2, Silver x3, White x3, Silver x2, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x2, Silver x3, White x3, Silver x2, Atlantis x3, Cloud Blue x1
Row 8: Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x1, Silver x2, Black x2, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, Black x2, White x1, Silver x1, Atlantis x1, Cloud Blue x2, Claret x1, Silver x2, White x8, Silver x1, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x2, Atlantis x1, Silver x2, White x8, Silver x1, Atlantis x1, Cloud Blue x1
Row 9: Cloud Blue x2, Silver x2, White x2, Claret x2, White x1, Claret x2, White x4, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x2, White x11, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x2, White x11, Cloud Blue x1
Row 10: Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x4, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, White x5, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x1
Row 11: Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x1
Row 12: Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x1
Row 13: Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x1, White x12, Cloud Blue x1
Row 14: Cloud Blue x2, Silver x2, White x3, Fondant x3, White x5, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x2, White x3, Fondant x3, White x5, Cloud Blue x2, Silver x2, White x3, Fondant x3, White x5, Cloud Blue x1
Row 15: Cloud Blue x3, Silver x2, White x1, Fondant x5, White x3, Cloud Blue x4, Silver x2, White x1, Fondant x5, White x3, Cloud Blue x4, Silver x2, White x1, Fondant x5, White x3, Cloud Blue x2
Row 16: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x1, Silver x1, White x1, Fondant x5, White x2, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x4, Claret x1, Silver x1, White x1, Fondant x5, White x2, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x4, Claret x1, Silver x1, White x1, Fondant x5, White x2, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x2
Row 17: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x2, Silver x1, Fondant x5, White x1, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x4, Claret x2, Silver x1, Fondant x5, White x1, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x4, Claret x2, Silver x1, Fondant x5, White x1, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x2
Row 18: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x4, Fondant x3, Claret x5, Cloud Blue x3, Claret x4, Fondant x3, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x4, Claret x4, Fondant x3, Claret x5, Cloud Blue x1
Row 19: Cloud Blue x4, Claret x11, Cloud Blue x3, Claret x6, Metador x1, Claret x1, Metador x1, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x5, White x1, Claret x5, White x1, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x1
Row 20: Cloud Blue x4, Claret x4, White x1, Claret x6, Cloud Blue x3, Claret x7, Metador x1, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x5, White x2, Claret x3, White x2, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x1
Row 21: Cloud Blue x4, Claret x4, White x1, Claret x5, Cloud Blue x4, Claret x5, Grass Green x2, Claret x1, Grass Green x2, Cloud Blue x6, Claret x1, White x2, Claret x1, White x2, Claret x1, White x2, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x2
Row 22: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x3, White x1, Claret x3, White x1, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x5, Claret x3, Grass Green x3, Claret x1, Grass Green x3, Cloud Blue x4, White x2, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, White x2, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x2
Row 23: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x4, White x1, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x6, Claret x3, Grass Green x2, Claret x3, Grass Green x2, Cloud Blue x4, Claret x1, White x3, Claret x1, White x3, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x3
Row 24: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x1, White x2, Claret x2, White x1, Claret x2, White x2, Cloud Blue x6, Claret x8, Cloud Blue x6, Claret x4, White x1, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x4
Row 25: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x4, White x1, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x8, Claret x6, Cloud Blue x7, Claret x1, White x3, Claret x1, White x3, Cloud Blue x5
Row 26: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x3, White x1, Claret x3, White x1, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x8, Claret x6, Cloud Blue x2, White x1, Cloud Blue x4, White x2, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x6
Row 27: Cloud Blue x3, Claret x5, White x1, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x9, Claret x6, Cloud Blue x1, White x3, Cloud Blue x3, White x1, Claret x1, White x2, Claret x1, White x1, Cloud Blue x7
Row 28: Cloud Blue x4, Claret x4, White x1, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x11, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x2, White x3, Cloud Blue x4, White x2, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x7
Row 29: Cloud Blue x4, Claret x6, Cloud Blue x11, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x3, White x1, Cloud Blue x5, White x1, Claret x2, White x1, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x7
Row 30: Cloud Blue x5, Claret x6, Cloud Blue x10, Claret x5, Cloud Blue x1, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x7, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, White x1, Claret x1, Cloud Blue x6
Row 31: Cloud Blue x7, Claret x5, Cloud Blue x10, Claret x6, Cloud Blue x9, White x1, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x5
Row 32: Cloud Blue x8, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x11, Claret x5, Cloud Blue x10, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x5
Row 33: Cloud Blue x8, Claret x4, Cloud Blue x12, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x11, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x5
Row 34: Cloud Blue x4, White x2, Cloud Blue x2, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x23, White x2, Cloud Blue x2, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x6
Row 35: Cloud Blue x3, White x4, Claret x3, Cloud Blue x23, White x4, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x7
Row 36: Cloud Blue x3, White x4, Claret x2, Cloud Blue x24, White x4, Cloud Blue x9
Row 37: Cloud Blue x4, White x2, Cloud Blue x28, White x2, Cloud Blue x10
Row 38: Cloud Blue x46
Row 39: Cloud Blue x46
Row 40: Cloud Blue x46
The Three Wise Gnomes chart is free to use right here on the blog, but if you would like a copy to save, print, and keep at your knitting bag, the premium PDF is available in the shop. It includes the full colour chart, the complete written row-by-row instructions for all 40 rows, and the placement notes for all six sizes of the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater, so everything you need is in one tidy document rather than spread across a screen. With three gnomes and more colour changes than the individual charts, having the instructions on paper rather than your phone is particularly worth it for this one. Pick up the Three Wise Gnomes PDF in the shop here.
Mix it up: Variations
Play with the colours
The shades shown are a starting point. Each gnome can wear a completely different colour combination, and if you have already knitted Pip, Harold, or Sidney individually you almost certainly have a good collection of oddments to play with. The only suggestion is to keep the noses in a contrast pink or peach so all three little faces read clearly across the jumper front.
Add stripes to the sleeves
The Blank Canvas Baby Sweater sleeve instructions include a stripe sequence worked in two contrast colours. Pick up the claret from the hats for a coordinated look, or go in a completely different direction and let the sleeves do their own thing. Full sleeve instructions including the stripe sequence are in the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater base pattern.
Knit it as a cushion
The Three Wise Gnomes make a lovely cushion front worked on a plain stocking stitch panel. They would sit beautifully on a nursery chair or a Christmas sofa and make a very pleasing gift that is not going to be grown out of by February. You will need to work out your own tension swatch and panel dimensions, but the chart itself works perfectly for this purpose.
Personalise it with names
Embroidering a child’s name above the motif in a contrast colour turns a lovely Christmas jumper into something with their name on it, which is a different thing entirely. Swiss darning works well for this. There are plenty of free alphabet charts available online to use as a guide.
You can find Pip, Harold, and Sidney as individual charts in the Blank Canvas Motif Library. Each one comes with its own full written row-by-row instructions and front panel placement guide.
More Christmas Knitting Patterns for Children
If you are planning your Christmas gift knitting, you might also enjoy the full collection of Christmas patterns in the shop. There are over 44 designs for babies and children, from classic snowmen and robins to character jumpers, hooded blankets, and accessories. Browse the full Christmas collection here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the christmas gnome knitting patterns free in this post?
This post contains the trio chart for The Three Wise Gnomes, Pip, Harold, and Sidney, designed to sit together across the front panel of the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater. The individual gnome charts are also free and available separately in the Blank Canvas Motif Library.
Can I use a different yarn for these christmas gnome knitting patterns?
Yes. Any DK weight yarn will work with this chart. The shades listed are Stylecraft Special DK, which is widely available, machine washable, and excellent value, but the colours shown are a starting point rather than a requirement. If you have already knitted one or more of the individual gnomes, the chances are very good that most of what you need is already in your stash.
What size jumper does the Three Wise Gnomes chart fit?
The trio chart is 46 stitches wide and 40 rows tall. It is designed to work across all six sizes of the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater, from 0-6 months up to 4-5 years. The placement maths are already worked out for every size and are included in the front panel instructions above.
Can I use this chart on other baby knitting patterns?
The trio chart works on any stocking stitch baby jumper with a front panel wide enough to accommodate 46 stitches. It is designed for the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater but there is nothing to stop a confident knitter from placing it on a plain stocking stitch panel of another pattern.
Can I knit the gnomes individually?
Yes. Pip, Harold, and Sidney each have their own individual chart post with full written row-by-row instructions. You can find all three in the Blank Canvas Motif Library.
Is this chart suitable for a beginner?
The stocking stitch construction is straightforward and the chart is clearly written. The trio chart uses more colours than the individual gnome charts and involves more bobbins in use at one time, so it is best suited to a confident beginner who has already tried one of the individual gnome charts. If you are new to intarsia, start with Pip, Harold, or Sidney first and come back to the trio once you have found your rhythm.
The Three Wise Gnomes are the fourth and final chart in the Christmas gnome collection. Pip, Harold, Sidney, and the trio are all free and all designed to work across every size of the Blank Canvas Baby Sweater. You can find the full collection in the Blank Canvas Motif Library.
Never Miss a New Motif
New charts are added to the Blank Canvas Motif Library regularly throughout the year. Sign up to the Jane Burns newsletter and I will let you know the moment a new one lands, along with free patterns, tips, and the occasional dry observation about the knitting life.
About Jane
I’ve been creating knitting and crochet patterns for 18 years, designing characterful pieces for babies and children that are as fun to knit as they are to wear. You can find all of my patterns at shop.janeburns.co.uk, follow along on Instagram and Facebook, or pin your favourites over on Pinterest.
This pattern is for personal use only. Finished items may be sold in small quantities with credit given to Jane Burns for the design. Pattern designed by Jane Burns, with 18 years of experience creating exclusive knitting and crochet patterns for babies and children.
