The Design

These little handmade pals, created by Jennifer Evans, are perfect on the holiday mantelpiece, tree, or packages. But they’ll celebrate any season cheerfully! Originally designed for fingering-weight yarn (like Rowan Fine Tweed), we love them just as much a bit bigger in DK-weight yarn (like Rowan Tweed). Once we started knitting them, we just couldn’t stop!

With elves, it's certainly true that the more you make, the merrier! They’ll naturally all turn out a little different, but you can make them even more various: Taller. Shorter. Plumper. Thinner. All green for St. Paddy’s day. All pink for your Valentine. All white for a snowman with a smart black hat and coal buttons. Once you’ve got the hang of it, the only limit is your imagination. Knit up a whole neighborhood of wee elves!

See how we've used this pattern!

The Details

FINISHED SIZES
Tiny wee elf: Approx. 3½"/9cm tall, or desired height.
Larger wee elf: Approx. 4½"/11.5cm tall, or desired height.

YARN
Tiny wee elf: 2 skeins Rowan Fine Tweed (98 yds/ 90m each): 1 each of main color (MC) and scarf color (SC); plus approx. 10 yds/9m of face color (FC). Makes approx. 10 elves: 5 each in reverse color combinations of suits and scarves. Or equivalent fingering-weight yarn per elf: 18 yds/17m MC; 4 yds/4m SC; 1 yd/1m FC.
Larger wee elf: 2 skeins Rowan Tweed DK (129 yds/ 118m each): 1 each of main color (MC) and scarf color (SC); plus approx. 12 yds/11m of face color (FC). Makes approx. 8 elves: 4 each in reverse color combinations of suits and scarves. Or equivalent DK-weight yarn per elf: 24 yds/22m MC; 5½ yds/5m SC; 1½ yds/1.5m FC.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Tiny wee elf: US 1½ (2.5mm) double-points (set of five), or size to obtain gauge.
One or more flat metal washers per elf: approx. 1"/2.5cm outside diameter.
Larger wee elf: US 3 (3.25mm) double-points (set of five), or size to obtain gauge.
Two or more flat metal washers per elf: approx. 1"/2.5cm outside diameter.
Both sizes:Wool or polyester stuffing.
One locking marker.
Tapestry needle.

GAUGE
Tiny wee elf: 28–32 sts = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch in the round; a dense fabric keeps stuffing from showing through.
Larger wee elf: 24–26 sts = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch in the round; a dense fabric keeps stuffing from showing through.

KNITTER'S NOTES
No one elf is like another! And each elf seems to reveal a unique personality once the top knot is tied.

We made our wee elves in tweedy wool but you can use any yarn you like. Change colors at the ‘waist’ for mismatched ‘pants’ and ‘jacket’. Or use self-striping yarn for the element of surprise.