Moss Brioche Gnome Rattle Free Knit Pattern

Moss Brioche Gnome Rattle Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This little Moss Brioche Gnome Rattle is a sweet, baby-safe project that knits up in an evening or two and makes a treasured gift for a new arrival or a baby shower. It is designed for knitters who have made a few simple projects and want to try a small taste of brioche without committing to a full garment. The body is a smooth moss green stockinette cylinder, while the hat is worked in alternating moss and lichen brioche bands that give it a soft, textured Nordic look. At about 5 inches tall, it fits perfectly in small hands, and the bell tucked inside the hat gives a gentle rattle with every wiggle.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton yarn, approx 50 yds total: 25 yds moss green (A) and 25 yds lichen green (B). Cotton is recommended for durability and easy washing.
• Needles: 4.0 mm (US 6) double-pointed needles (set of 4) or a circular needle long enough for magic loop.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, small bell (rattle insert), scissors, and optional embroidery floss or scrap yarn for eyes.
• Finished size: Approx 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall including hat and 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) wide.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• p: purl
• k2tog: knit two stitches together (one decrease)
• p2tog: purl two stitches together (one decrease)
• sl1yo: slip one stitch purlwise and bring the yarn over the needle to create a yarnover
• brk: brioche knit (knit the stitch together with its yarnover)
• brp: brioche purl (purl the stitch together with its yarnover)
• brk2tog: brioche knit two together (one decrease)
• rem: remaining
• sts: stitches

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Knit a small swatch in the round and measure it flat to check your gauge before starting.

Tips Before You Start

• Use a locking stitch marker or safety pin to mark the beginning of each round, since the brioche rounds can make it tricky to spot your starting point.
• Keep your brioche tension relaxed; tight brioche stitches are hard to work and make the hat stiff.
• Place the bell inside the hat only after the hat is shaped and just before you close the top, so it stays centered and secure.
• Cotton has little stretch, so cast on and bind off loosely to keep the openings soft and easy to work.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body (Yarn A)

CO 24 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a marker at the beginning of the round.

Rnds 1-20: k all sts (24 sts).

Rnd 21: [k2, k2tog] around (18 sts).

Rnd 22: k all sts (18 sts).

Rnd 23: [k1, k2tog] around (12 sts).

Rnd 24: k all sts (12 sts).

Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 12 sts, pull tight to close the top, and secure on the inside.

Hat (Brioche, Yarn B then Yarn A)

With Yarn B, pick up 24 sts evenly around the top of the body. Place a marker at the beginning of the round.

Rnd 1 (set-up): [k1, sl1yo] around (24 sts).

Rnd 2 (brioche): [brk1, p1] around (24 sts).

Rnd 3: [k1, brp1] around (24 sts).

Rnds 4-21: Repeat Rnds 2-3 nine times, ending after a Rnd 3 repeat. The hat should measure about 2 inches (5 cm).

Change to Yarn A.

Rnds 22-23: Work Rnds 2-3 once more in Yarn A (24 sts).

Shape top:

Rnd 24: [brk1, p2tog] around (16 sts).

Rnd 25: [k1, brp1] around (16 sts).

Rnd 26: [brk2tog, p1] around (8 sts).

Rnd 27: [k1, brp1] around (8 sts).

Insert the bell into the hat now. Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close the top, and secure on the inside.

Beard (Yarn A)

CO 6 sts.

Rows 1-8: k all sts in garter stitch (6 sts).

Bind off. Fold the rectangle in half and set aside.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the folded beard to the front of the body just below the hat, using the cast-on and bound-off edges to create a soft fringe. Weave in all ends on the inside of the body and hat, taking care not to pull the fabric out of shape. If desired, embroider two small eyes above the beard with a few tiny stitches of dark yarn or embroidery floss; skip this step for a completely baby-safe finish. Gently steam or wet block the rattle to even out the stitches, shaping the hat into a soft point and letting it dry fully before giving it to a baby.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the lichen green hat for a soft cream or dusty blue to create a different Nordic color story while keeping the same brioche texture.
• Add a small loop of cotton cord at the top of the hat so the rattle can be attached to a stroller or play gym.
• Work the beard in a fuzzy yarn or add a few extra garter rows for a longer, fluffier beard on a larger gnome.