Gnome Pattern checks all the boxes. Whether you’re decorating your home for the holidays or searching for that quick-but-charming handmade gift, this gnome pattern is the kind of crafty project that instantly adds joy to your space.

With just a few supplies—felt, faux fur, stuffing, and some glue (plus a tiny bit of stitching if you’re feeling extra fancy)—you’ll be able to whip up this cheerful little character in no time. The pattern is thoughtfully designed for low-sew or no-sew makers, making it accessible for beginners, kids, or anyone who prefers a cozy evening with a glue gun over a full day with a sewing machine.

I especially love how versatile this gnome design is. You can swap out fabrics, change up the hat style, or even customize them to match different themes—think rustic farmhouse gnome, candy cane cutie, or even a moody winter gnome with cool tones and glitter accents. You could easily create a whole gnome village to sprinkle across your mantle, tree, or holiday table.

And let’s be honest—gnomes have become a holiday essential. They’re whimsical, magical, and a little mischievous in the best possible way. This pattern captures that playful spirit without overwhelming you with complicated instructions.

At CraftGossip, we love highlighting independent Etsy sellers who bring creativity and charm to the DIY world. This pattern is a wonderful example of that passion—beautifully presented, instantly downloadable, and full of heart. Buying from small shops helps keep the handmade community alive and thriving, and patterns like this one make it easy to spread that joy.

So whether you’re making one for yourself, gifting a few to friends, or selling them at a local craft market, this gnome is bound to bring smiles. And hey—if your gnome ends up with a crooked hat or oversized nose, that just adds to the charm. ?

 

Gnome Christmas Ornament – Free Sewing Pattern

DIY Christmas Gnome Softie – Free Pattern

Tutorial: Easy Fabric gnomes

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is not the same as the Republic of the Congo. These are both nations in central Africa (and we’ll cover Republic of the Congo next time) and DRC is the second-largest country in Africa. Let’s learn about it!

Democratic Republic of the Congo Facts

• The first thing to know is that this country goes by a lot of different names. Like DRC, as I just mentioned, but also DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa (Kinshasa is also the capital), Big Congo and confusingly also Congo. Its border by Republic of the Congo (which is also sometimes just called Congo) as well as Angola (which it looks like I skipped when I was in the As, so we’ll have to get that one, too!), South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia. 
• Most of the country is rainforest, and there are also mountains. 
• The country is the 11th largest in the world by area, at 905,567 square miles, or 2,345,409 square kilometers.
• The country is named for the Congo River, which was named after the Kingdom of Kongo and is thought to mean something like a public gathering of people.
• At the time of its independence from Belgium in 1960, it was named  the Republic of the Congo-Léopoldville to distinguish it from neighboring Congo. In 1964, the president renamed it Zaire (which the river was called in the 16th and 17th centuries). The name changed to Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997. 
• Nearly 113 million people live in DRC, and Kinshasa is both the capital and largest city. 
• It has a president and a prime minister and a parliament with two houses. 
• The official language is French, though other national languages are recognized. 

Democratic Republic of the Congo National Symbols

The flag of Big Congo has a bright blue background, with a red stripe on the diagonal through the center, and smaller gold stripes on either side of the red stripe. There’s a large, gold, five-point star in the upper left hand corner. The flag was adopted in 2006.

The national anthem on DRC is “Debout Congolais” or “Arise, Congolese,” which was originally adopted in 1960 but replaced when the country was called Zaire. It became the anthem again in 1997.

The leopard is the national animal, and is shown on its national emblem, which also has an elephant tusk and a spear along with the national motto in French (justice, peace, work). 

DRC Activities for Kids

Learn more about leopards from National Geographic Kids, and make a fun leopard craft from Learn Create Love. If you want a more involved craft, try painting leopard spots like in this craft from No Time for Flash Cards.

There’s a nice selection of country study information, clip art, fact sheets and more at Teachers Pay Teachers. Peanut Butter Fish Lessons also has a free DR Congo unit study with printables. 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, with about 70 percent of the world’s supply. Learn more about what cobalt is and how it’s used (and maybe make some art with the bright blue color that gets its name from this metal). 

Lake Tanganyika, the world’s longest and second deepest freshwater lake, is shared with Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia, and Zambia Tourism has a good page about it. DRC also has the world’s second largest rainforest in the Congo Basin, which you can read more about at the World Wildlife Fund website. 

The volcano Nyiragongo last erupted in  2002 and experiences ongoing volcanic activity. It’s a thread to Goma, a city of half a million people. The country is also home to Nyamuragira, considered Africa’s most active volcano, which last erupted in 2010. You can learn more in this video from Naked Science.

Moambe chicken is considered the national dish of DRC. It’s a chicken stew often made with peanut butter and palm oil, which give it its red color. Grab the recipe from Low Carb Africa and try it for yourself.