I already wrote two reindeer for you (the larger Crochet Reindeer and the Tiny Crochet Reindeer), so this one is a new design: a cozy sweater reindeer. It has a tan muzzle, tall branched antlers, and a red body with a white stripe like a little knitted sweater. It also wears a collar with a tiny gold bell, which is crocheted, so there are no loose parts. Give it as a handmade holiday gift, put it in a stocking, or set it under the tree.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, color changes, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head, body, muzzle, ears, antlers, legs, and tail are worked separately in continuous rounds, then sewn together. The collar is worked flat in rows. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 17 cm (6.75 in) tall including the antlers, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in warm brown, approximately 30 g, for the head, ears, legs, and tail.
- Red yarn, approximately 20 g, for the sweater body and nose.
- White yarn, approximately 5 g, for the sweater stripe.
- Tan yarn, approximately 5 g, for the muzzle.
- Cream yarn, approximately 10 g, for the antlers and hooves.
- Green yarn, approximately 4 g, for the collar, and a little gold or yellow yarn for the bell.
- Black thread for the mouth and optional embroidered eyes, and pink thread for the cheeks.
- A 2.75 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes if the reindeer is for a baby or young child.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round. When you change color, switch on the final yarn-over of the last stitch of the previous round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. The ears and antlers need little or no stuffing, and the legs need only light stuffing.
Make the head first and pin the eyes and muzzle in place before you commit. A slightly low, wide-set face gives the reindeer a sweeter expression.
Head (brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–14: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 7 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, with about 9 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the muzzle at the center front on Rounds 11–14.
Round 15: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 16: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 17: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the head firmly now, and keep adding small amounts as the opening narrows.
Round 18: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 19: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 20: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end.
Sweater Body (red and white)
Round 1: With red, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Rounds 6–8: Sc in every stitch. [30 per round; 3 rounds]
Rounds 9–10: Change to white. Sc in every stitch. [30 per round; 2 rounds]
Rounds 11–13: Change to red. Sc in every stitch. [30 per round; 3 rounds]
Round 14: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Round 15: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, flatten the bottom slightly so the reindeer sits upright, and leave the opening for sewing to the head.
Muzzle (tan)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Rounds 4–5: Sc around. [18 per round]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly and sew to the pinned position.
Nose (red)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: Sc around. [12]
Round 4: Dec × 6. [6]
Stuff lightly, fasten off with a long tail, draw closed, and sew to the top of the muzzle.
Ears (make 2, brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. [9 per round]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and pinch the base together.
Antlers (make 2, cream)
Main branch:
Round 1: 5 sc in MR. [5]
Rounds 2–7: Sc around. [5 per round; 6 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail.
Side branches (make 2 for each antler):
Round 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
Rounds 2–3: Sc around. [4 per round; 2 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Sew one side branch to the middle of each main branch and the second near the top, angled outward. Stuff very lightly, or leave unstuffed for a soft, floppy look.
Legs (make 4)
Round 1: With cream, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Round 3: Sc around. Change to brown on the final yarn-over. [9]
Rounds 4–8: Sc around in brown. [9 per round; 5 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled for sewing.
Tail (brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Round 3: Sc around. [9]
Round 4: (Sc, dec) × 3. [6]
Stuff very lightly, fasten off with a long tail, and close the hole.
Collar and Bell
Collar (green): Ch 22. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. [21 sc] Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off.
Bell (gold or yellow):
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: Sc around. [12]
Round 4: Dec × 6. [6]
Stuff lightly, fasten off with a long tail, and close the hole. Sew the bell to the center front of the collar. Wrap the collar around the neck, trim the ends if needed, and sew it closed at the back.
Assembly and Face
- Head to body: Pin the head over the body opening, with the closure underneath, and sew all around with small, strong stitches. Check that the head sits straight before finishing.
- Ears: Sew the ears to the top-sides of the head at about Rounds 3–5, tilted slightly outward.
- Antlers: Sew one antler between the ears on each side of the crown, angled slightly outward.
- Legs: Sew the legs to the lower front of the body, with the front two close together and the back two toward the rear, so the reindeer can sit.
- Tail: Sew the tail to the center back near the bottom.
- Face: With black thread, embroider a small smile below the nose, with a short vertical line down from the nose. With pink thread, add two small patches of horizontal stitches below and outside the eyes.
- Collar: Sew on the collar and bell as described above.
Hide every tail and give each ear, antler, leg, and the bell a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The antlers flop over. Stuff them slightly, or stitch the bases firmly to the head at a more upright angle.
The stripe looks uneven. Change color on the last stitch of the round and move the marker before you start the next round. A small jog is normal in spiral crochet.
The reindeer leans. Flatten the bottom of the body and sew the legs on at the same height.
The head looks lopsided. Check that the stuffing is even and roll the head between your palms. Use small wisps of filling as the opening narrows.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook. The reindeer will be about one and a half times larger.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 10 and 11, with 9 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I change the sweater? Yes. Try green with a red stripe, or work two or three stripes instead of one.
Can I turn it into an ornament? Yes. Skip the legs, sew a ch-15 loop to the top of the head between the antlers, and hang it on the tree.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Crochet Reindeer Pattern
- Tiny Crochet Reindeer Pattern
- Easy Christmas Crochet Bunny Pattern
Save This Pattern
Pin this Easy Christmas Reindeer Amigurumi Pattern to your Pinterest board for your next festive project. Happy crocheting!
