Gnandad's Grand Adventure by Sarah Schira

Gnandad's Grand Adventure

Knitting
November 2025
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
30 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette in round on smaller needles
US 1 - 2.25 mm
US 1½ - 2.5 mm
mystery for now, but medium-ish
English German
This pattern is available for C$10.50 CAD buy it now

Join us for 21 days of small, satisfying knitting, of fun, of surprises and stories! The Grand Adventure beckons all of us this December. 40% off until Nov 17 with the code “GoGnandad”

Gnandad set out on a long adventure around the gnome world last Gnomevember. Will he make it home in time for Longest Gnight? And who are these friends he wrote home to say he invited? Join Gnana and the rest of the family as they get ready to welcome him home.

Some days, you’ll open the update to find a clue to knit. Other days will bring part of our charming story, special treats, or a recipe or two for traditional gnomish delights.

Come to the PreKnitalong Chat for questions and planning.

KEY DATES
Nov 3 - Gnandad’s Grand Adventure pattern goes on presale AND yarn dyers around the world offer yarn kits. The preknitalong info PDF contains colour tips and other tidbits I think you’ll find helpful.
Dec 1-21 - daily updates and fun surprises
Jan 1 - knitalong ends, prize thread closes
Jan 6 - prizes announced

SKILLS USED
•knit and purl
•working in the round
•slipping sts
•i-cord
•kfb, RLI, LLI
•k2tog, ssk
•Estonian braid (optional)
•3-needle bind-off

There will be video tutorials for all the parts I think you might want help with. I want this to be all joy, no worries.

MATERIALS
•Fingering Weight Yarn
You’ll need 4 mini skeins of fingering weight yarn in 4 colours

I’ve used:
4 mini skeins Little Squirrel Yarn Oak Sock Acorns (75% superwash merino, 25% recycled nylon); 87 yd. / 80 m per 20 g skein; colours shown:

C1 Petrol
C2 Tinsel
C3 Marshmallow
C4 Flint

NOTE: DK kits are available, and tips for working Gnandad in DK are in the PreKAL PDF

•Needles  
US 1 / 2.25 mm and US 1.5 / 2.5 mm for working small circumference in the round (DPNs, magic loop, 2-circs method, Flexi-Flips). See this video for an overview of needle choice for knitting gnomes in the round.

•Notions
wooden skis approx. 6” / 15 cm long by 1/2”-3/4” / 1.3-19 mm wide or popsicle stick/craft stick (OPTIONAL), yarn needle, stitch markers, roving/polyfill stuffing, weighted stuffing like poly pellets/aquarium gravel/dried beans

This year I’m designing Gnandad with a special accessory - little skis. You can order them from some dyers, or you can source your own set by buying wooden craft sticks (aka popsicle sticks). Having the skis is not required, but Gnandad sure does look special with them!

This pattern has been tech edited and test knit.

Participating Dyers

I’ve designed Gnandad in fingering weight. Even though the pattern isn’t designed for DK, I know many of you prefer to knit with thicker yarn. Several test knitters and dyers worked up versions of him in DK. The kits in DK will contain enough yarn that you can make Gnandad.

Dyers with skis or DK yarn will have notes next to their links.
Asia-Pacific
Mamawooling
glenheavenknits
Heathermaid
Dreamfire yarns skis

Canada
That Yarn Habit skis
Baa-realis Fibre
area 51 Fibres
Firefly Haven Fibre
Crafty That Way
Feisty Fibres skis
Leo & Roxy Yarn Co
Crafty JAK’s
Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts DK

Europe
ScreamingColours skis
Alte Künste skis + DK
Wolhobby DK

UK
Giddy Yarns
Yarn Unique
The Dye Shack DK

US
Leading Men Fiber Arts
Fangirl Fibers skis
Nanette Wake Studio skis
Miss Babs Hand Dyed-Yarns skis
Emma’s Yarn
Dyeon Yarns skis
Little Skein Yarn skis
Fibernymph Dye Works
MakerWool DK
Queen City Yarn skis + DK
Kelli in the Middle skis + DK
House Mountain Yarn Co. DK
Marianated Yarns skis + DK
Quixotic Fibers DK
Lavender Lune Yarn Co. DK
Cornbread and Honey skis + DK