Add to your cross stitch decoration collection with a mischievous festive 3D gnome bauble to make for your Christmas tree, using the exclusive kit with The World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 353 (Special 2024), designed by Heather Nugent.
We’ll show you how to turn your stitching into a handmade 3D Christmas decoration. You’ll need the pattern and all the materials from your kit listed below, plus a size 24 tapestry needle and scissors. Or you can follow along using your own materials.
This cute and colourful gonk pattern is perfect for beginners, but if you are new to cross stitching we have lots of helpful guides available – find out how to cross stitch or learn more about cross stitch needle sizes.
Watch our video tutorial or scroll down to follow the step-by-step instructions.
Gnome decoration cross stitch video tutorial
Gnome cross stitch fact box
- Stitching time - 10 hours
- Types of stitches - Cross stitch, backstitch
- Easy of stitching - Beginner
What you’ll need for the gnome cross stitch decoration:
- 14-count white plastic aida - 12x12cm
- Stranded cotton
- Size 24 tapestry needle
- Baker’s twine - 20cm
- Scissors
- Colour chart and key (from issue 353 of The World of Cross Stitching magazine)
Cross stitch gnome pattern
Get your 3D gnome bauble kit containing the plastic aida, twine and threads plus the cross stitch pattern and key with issue 353 (Special 2024) of The World of Cross Stitching magazine. Order back issues whilst stocks last, or get the pattern and key inside the digital edition available to download at any time on The World of Cross Stitching app, and use your own materials from craft stores.
How to make your gnome decoration
Step 1
Use a ruler to find the centre of the plastic aida and start stitching the centre of the design from there.
Step 2
Once you’ve finished stitching, use sharp scissors to cut a border around the edge of the stitched design, following the cutting line on the chart as a guide. Be careful not to snip into any holes containing stitches.
Step 3
Create a loop with your baker’s twine and tie the ends together in a knot.
Step 4
Bend the plastic aida to line up the straight edges. Starting at the bottom of the gnome’s body, use whipstitch in two strands to join the edges together. Change the thread colour as you go to match adjacent stitches. Learn more about whipstitching in our ultimate guide to plastic canvas.
Step 5
As you get near to the top, insert the baker’s twine with the knot inside the cone, then continue whipstitching to the top and secure the ends.
Step 6
Your fun 3D gnome decoration is now ready to hang on your Christmas tree!
Get the set of 3D cross stitch cone decorations
If you loved making this gnome cross stitch decoration, you can collect the whole set of 3D baubles for your Christmas tree – find a friendly Santa (issue 288, Christmas 2019), adorable angel (issue 301, Christmas 2020), cheeky elf (issue 314, Special 2021) cute reindeer (issue 325, Nov 2022) and fun snowpal (issue 340, Special 2023) of The World of Cross Stitching.
Don’t worry if you missed out on any of these issues – get the cross stitch patterns in the digital editions available to download via The World of Cross Stitching app for Apple and Android.
Enjoy more 3D cross stitch gnomes
If you can't get enough of this 3D gonk decoration, you'll find four more cross stitch patterns available in The World of Cross Stitching Etsy shop
Kids and adults alike will love getting up to all sorts of mischief with these colourful 3D Scandi-style gnomes! Download the PDF patterns with making up instructions for creating a whole family of cute cone characters today.
