This pattern was originally published as For Yarn’s Sake’s contribution to the 2026 Rose City Yarn Crawl, March 5-, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. This pattern is also available for download as part of the 2026 Pattern Collection: Mythical Creatures.

The 2026 Rose City Yarn Crawl theme is Mythical Creatures. This pattern was inspired by gnomes! Tonttu is a Finnish gnome and Kansa can be translated as people or folk. I have always loved the word “tonttu” for a gnome. I can’t remember where I first heard it but I’ve used it for “gnomes” for a long time.

Since we are making accessories for both a gnome and a person, I decided to play on that even further. The Kansa (person) sized bag has a filet crochet pattern on the front that shows a simple tonttu design. The Tonttu (gnome) sized bag has a simple design that incorporates details from the Kansa Bag, but I also did a simple embroidery outline of a kansa on one of my samples.. Technically, I believe that the embroidery design would be called a “tikku-ukko, (assuming that the internet has not steered me wrong).” But I thought it was fun to name the bags using a single word for each size.

Please note that the gnome pattern is not included. Shelly has designed a crocheted gnome - Little Tonttu, which is available for purchase on Ravelry.*

Yarn
Waifu Yarns Sparkle Sport (80% SW Shaniko wool, 20% Stellina), 316 yards / 100 grams. 1 skein. Custom FYS colorways Gilded Chocolate and Strawberry Truffle.

Hooks
Size 2.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge) and a size 4.25 mm crochet hook for the strap.

Gauge
28 sts x 14 rows in Filet crochet = 10 cm/4 in.

Notions
Scissors, yarn needle

Finished Measurements
The kansa bag is approximately 6” x 9” x 1.25.” The tonttu bag is approximately 1.25”x1.5”.

Skill Level
Intermediate