This knitted gnome was based on the dwarf design of Jean Greenhowe in Knitted Toys. I conceived of him as the Norse deity Tyr, who is best known for the story in which he lost his hand in order to bind the firece wolf known as Fenris.
Of all the high-gods known as the Aseir, only Tyr was willing to place his hand in the mouth of the wolf as the magical chain that would bind it until the end of days was wrapped around it. He knowingly accepted the consequences of his duty to protect the tribe.