Crochet Gandalf the Grey

Intro: Crochet Gandalf the Grey

In this instructable I will show you how to crochet Gandalf the Grey.   He has a staff that lights up and the bowl of his pipe glows in the dark.  My Gandalf is as was described in the book The Hobbit:

...an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which a white beard hung down below his waist

This is before he found his sword, Glamdring and his staff is like the one he has in The Hobbit (movie) which looks slightly different from the one he has in LOTR.

STEP 1: What You Will Need

Yarn (weigh 4):

• Grey (for robes) I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Oxford Grey
• Off-white colour
• Blue grey (for the hat)
• Light grey textured yarn (for beard and hair)

Embroidery thread:

• Light grey (scarf)
• Brown (belt)
• Light brown (satchel strap)
• Red (mouth)

Other:

• 1.15mm and 2.25mm crochet hooks
• Yarn needles
• 5mm doll eyes and small piece of blue felt
• Iridescent thread (scarf)
• small piece of fabric or felt (satchel)
• Small white stone or bead (staff)
• 5mm white LED
• 3V button battery
• Wire
• Push switch
• Straw, tape and brown paint
• Clay and wire

I used the 2.25mm crochet hook for everything except the belt and satchel strap in step 9 where I used the 1.15mm hook.
Here is the nomenclature that I used for the crochet pattern (these are US stitches see link for conversion to UK):

            Rnd         round
            ch(s)       chain stitch(s)
            sc            single crochet
            fp            front post
            hdc          half double crochet
            bp           back post
            sl st         slip stitch
            st(s)        stitch(s)
            sc2tog    decrease by crocheting 2 stitches together

STEP 2: Gandalf's Head

Head

With off-white yarn.
Rnd 1: Magic Circle 6
Rnd 2: 2sc in each (12sts)
Rnd 3: 2sc in first sc, sc in next, repeat (18sts)
Rnd 4-8: sc in sc (18sts)
Rnd 9: sc2tog in first, sc in next, repeat (12sts). Stuff head.
Rnd 10: sc2tog in each
Fasten off. Leave tail.

STEP 3: Gandalf's Torso

Torso

With grey yarn.
Rnd 1: Magic Circle 6
Rnd 2: 2sc in each (12sts)
Rnd 3: 2sc in first, sc in next, repeat (18sts)
Rnd 4: 2sc in first, sc, sc, repeat (24sts)
Rnd 5-13: sc in sc (24sts)
Rnd 14: bpsc in each sc (24sts)  // This part closes the bottom of the torso
Rnd 15: sc2tog in first sc, sc, sc, sc, repeat (18sts)
Rnd 16: sc2tog in first sc, sc, sc, repeat (12sts). Stuff torso
Rnd 17: sc2tog in rest
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Starting at Rnd 14: fpsc in each sc, ch(s)1, turn (24sts)  // This part makes the skirt
Row 15-19: sc in each sc, ch1, turn (24sts)  // We don't close the rounds, the skirt is open at the front
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

STEP 4: His Arms

Arms (make 2)

Start with off-white yarn and *switch to grey.
Rnd 1: Magic Circle 4
Rnd 2: 2sc in sc (8sts)
Rnd 3-9: *change colour, sc in sc (8sts)
Stuff it. Fasten off. Leave tail.

Attach the arms to the torso.

STEP 5: Feet

Foot/Feet

Using the grey yarn, make two.
Rnd 1: Magic Circle 4
Rnd 2: 2sc in each (8sts)
Rnd 3-5: sc in sc (8sts)
Rnd 6: 4hdc in next 4sc, sc in sc in rest (8sts)
Rnd 7-8: sc in sc (8sts)
Stuff it. Fasten off. Leave tail.

STEP 6: Gandalf's Robes

The robes are a bit tricky. As you are making them try it out on the torso to make sure it fits, especially the arms.

Robes

With grey yarn.
Row 1: 28chs, turn
Row 2: sc in each chs, ch1, turn
Row 3: sc in each sc, ch1, turn
Row 4: sc in first 8sc, 10chs, sk next 2sc, 8sc, 10chs, sk next  2sc, 8sc, ch1, turn  //Here are the arm holes
Row 5: sc in first 8sc, sc2tog in each ch, sc in each sc, sc2tog in each chs,  sc in each sc, ch1, turn.
Row 6: sc in first 8sc, sc2tog in each ch(s), sc in each sc, sc2tog in each ch,  sc in each sc, ch1, turn.
Row 7-19: sc in each sc, ch1, turn
Fasten off. Weave in ends

Sleeves

With grey yarn.
Rnd 1: sc in sc of arm holes in row 4 above (10sts)
Rnd 2-3: sc in sc (10sts)
Rnd 4: 2sc in first sc, sc, repeat (15sts)
Rnd 5: 2sc in first sc, sc, sc, repeat (20sts)
Rnd 6-8: sc in sc (20sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

STEP 7: Gandalf's Hat

Hat

With bluey-grey yarn
ch(s)2
Rnd 1: 4sc in 2nd ch from hook
Rnd 2: 2sc in first sc, sc in next, repeat (6sts)
Rnd 3: 2sc in first sc, sc in  rest (7sts)
Rnd 4: 2sc in first sc, sc in rest (8sts)   
Rnd 5: sc2tog in first sc, sc in rest (7sts) // This decrease here creates a bend or kink in the hat
Rnd 6:  2sc in first sc, sc in rest (8sts)
Rnd 7:  2sc in first sc, sc in rest, (9sts) 
Rnd 8:  2sc in first sc, sc in rest (10sts)
Rnd 9:  2sc in first sc, sc in rest (11sts)
Rnd 10:  2sc in first sc, sc in rest (12sts)
Rnd 11: sc in sc (12sts)
Rnd 12: sc2tog in first, sc in rest (11sts) // This decrease here creates a bend or kink in the hat
Rnd 13: 2sc in first sc, sc in rest (12sts)
Rnd 14: 2sc in first sc, sc in rest (13sts)
Rnd 15: 2sc in first sc, sc in rest (14sts)
Rnd 16: 2sc in first and 7th sc, sc in rest (16sts)
Rnd 17: 2sc in first and 8th sc, sc in rest (18st))
Rnd 18: 2sc in first and 9th sc, sc in rest (20sts)
Rnd 19: 2sc in first, sc in next 4, repeat (24sts)
Rnd 20: 2sc in first, sc in next 6, repeat (30sts)
Fasten off. Leave tail.
Stuff it.

STEP 8: His Scarf

Gandalf's scarf is described as being silver. Since I didn't have silver thread I used a light grey embroidery thread which has a nice glossy sheen. I then stitched (weaved in) some iridescent thread along the length the finished scarf.

Scarf
Row 1: ch 7, turn
Row 2: sc in each ch, ch 1, turn (7sts)
Row 3-62: sc in sc, ch 1, turn (7sts)
Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Stitch in some iridescent thread (if you have it). I then added a fringe to both ends of the scarf. (I made the fringe the same way as I added the hair in Step 12).

STEP 9: His Belt and Satchel

Belt and satchel strap

with brown and light brown embroidery thread and a 1.15mm crochet hook
~80 chs
adjust length as needed

For the satchel I justed folded the fabric and sewed the edges.   Then attached the strap to the top.

STEP 10: Assemble

Roll up the skirt of the torso and attach the feet.  Attach the head to the top.  After finishing the head in step 11 and 12 put the robes on and tie it closed with the belt.  Place the satchel across the shoulder and the scarf around his neck.

STEP 11: Face

Nose

chs 2
Rnd 1: 2sc in 2nd ch(s) from hook
Fasten off. Leave tail.     

Attach the nose to his face and add the doll eyes.  I thought the 5mm eyes were a bit small for the head so placed two circles of blue felt.

STEP 12: Beard and Hair

I added hair using the light grey textured yarn. I cut the yarn in strands twice the length that I want the hair to be and hooked it through the holes in the head.(See this for instructions. ). Cover the head with hair and trim with scissors to make it look nice.

Beard
Using the same light grey textured yarn
Row 1: 9chs, turn
Row 2: sc each ch(s), 1ch, turn (9sts)
Row 3: sc in each, turn (8sts)
Row 4: sc in each, turn (7sts)
Row 5: sc in each, turn (6sts)
Row 6: sc in each, turn (5sts)
Row 7: sc in each, turn (4sts) Fasten off. Leave tail.

Attach the beard to thevface below the nose. Attach the hat and stitch a smile on Gandalf's beard.

STEP 13: Gandalf's Pipe

I shaped the clay into a pipe.  I used a wire inside the stem of the pipe for support and allowed it to air dry.  Once it had dried, I painted it brown with the inside of the bowl red mixed with glow in the dark paint.  I tied the pipe to Gandalf's hand with tread.

STEP 14: The Staff

I soldered the circuit as seen in the first image.  I open a straw and placed the circuit inside with the light at one end, the switch at the other and with the unattached wires sticking out at the side.  I then taped up the straw.  I attached the stone against the LED and used hot glue to give the staff texture and shape.

STEP 15: Finishing the Staff

I painted the staff brown (with light brown highlights).  Once the paint had dried I poked the two wires of the staff through the arms. I then attached the battery by wrapping it and the wires with tape.  I then stuff the battery under Gandalf's sleeve to hide it.

Comments

[lynn.root.752]

i was reading over the instructions for the robe and either the picture is tricking the eye or there are more that 2sc skipped in the bottom of the arm holes,

"Row 4: sc in first 8sc, 10chs, sk next 2sc, 8sc, 10chs, sk next 2sc, 8sc, ch1, turn //Here are the arm holes"

other than this tricky little spot, the instructions are very well written and the side notes are much appreciated,( /Here are the arm holes, this creates the bend in hat) . i am an intermediate crocheter, and the art of knowing how to create the various contours of certain patterns eludes me, but your notes have helped some in that, for that i thank you.

i havent tried actually making gandalf as yet, as i am currently working on several projects for family gifts to give while i am home in may, but i really want to try him soon. as well as that dragon next to him that pic. Being unemployed right now i cant order the pattern for the dragon, but will asap, i love dragons, and i am sure my son would love it and gandalf too,

happy crafting,

[abarskiy]

only one word for this.... BRILLIANT !!!!!

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[Kuronue]

This is just fantastic. Thank you for the detailed and clear explanation about which stitches you used and how to tie everything together. (And the warning about fitting the clothes - it didn't even occur to me that would be a problem 'til you said something.) I can't wait to try this out!

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[sunshiine]

He is so cute! I need to learn this craft! thanks for sharing!
sunshiine

[ChrysN]

Thanks Sunshiine! I really enjoy crochet and it is easy to learn, you should give it a try.

[AmyCat59]

Squeee! SO cute!

[ironsmiter]

Gheesh, first the balrog, and now Smaug(is he a variation of "dragon eating Icecream?) shall not pass?
What does that wizard have against fire breathers anyhow?

Awesomeness all around.
With that pattern, now I know what to be for holloween!
("Dear, will you please crochet my life-size amigurumi Gandolf costume too, while you're making this? Please?")

[ChrysN]

Thanks.

A life-size Amigurumi Gandalf costume for Halloween -better get started now!

[Tarun Upadhyaya]

Super Cute :) I love every detail.

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[canida]

Cool!

Looks like you've got a theme going. Who/what is next?

[Penolopy Bulnick]

That is so awesome! I just love the hat and the hair and the beard!

[ChrysN]

Thanks, I was lucky to find the right yarn for the hair and beard.

[iceng]

Very Cool Wizard and lit staff including the LED ( Crystal ) encasement.

A