This Tiny Crochet Reindeer Pattern makes a small, round amigurumi reindeer with a soft brown body, little floppy ears, tiny branched antlers, a bright red nose, and a mini scarf. It is a different project from the larger reindeer pattern: this one is a pocket-sized head-and-body ball with no separate legs, so it works up in about an hour. Tuck it into a gift bag, tie it to a parcel, hang it on the tree, or clip it to a bag.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner, with basic shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head and body are worked in one piece in continuous rounds. The ears, antlers, nose, and tiny feet are worked separately and sewn on. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 8 cm (3 in) tall without 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 20 g, for the body and ears.
- Cream or tan yarn, approximately 5 g, for the antlers and inner ears.
- Red yarn, approximately 5 g, for the nose and scarf, and a little white for the scarf stripes.
- Black embroidery thread for the eyes and mouth, and pink thread for the cheeks.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
- Optional: a ribbon or a ch-15 loop for hanging.
Embroider the eyes and keep the reindeer away from children under three because of the small parts.
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.
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 reindeer should be a plump, slightly wide ball, so do not skimp on the filling. Embroider the face after stuffing so you can place the features where they look best.
Head and Body (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]
Rounds 7–12: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 6 rounds]
Round 13: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 14: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff firmly now.
Round 15: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 16: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 17: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end. Roll the body between your palms to make it round and smooth. The closed hole is the bottom.
Ears (make 2)
Outer ear (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 the ear and pinch the base together.
Inner ear (optional, cream): Work Rounds 1–2 only. Fasten off, flatten, and sew to the front of each ear.
Antlers (make 2, cream)
Main branch:
Round 1: 5 sc in MR. [5]
Rounds 2–6: Sc around. [5 per round; 5 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail.
Side branch (make 1 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 the side branch to the middle of the main branch, angled outward. Stuff both lightly, or leave them unstuffed for a floppy look.
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 before closing. Fasten off with a long tail, draw closed, and sew to the center front of the face, on Rounds 9–10.
Feet (make 2, cream)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Sc around. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail. Flatten and sew to the bottom of the body, about 4 stitches apart, to help it sit upright.
Scarf (red and white)
With red, ch 25.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. [24 sc]
Change to white, ch 1, and sc in each st across. Fasten off. Tie the scarf around the lower part of the body, or sew it in place at the back, and add a small fringe at each end with short strands of yarn.
Assembly and Face
- 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.
- Eyes: With black thread, embroider two small satin-stitch ovals on Rounds 8–9, with about 8 stitches between them. Add a tiny white highlight stitch to each.
- Nose: Sew the red nose between and just below the eyes.
- Mouth: Embroider a small smile with black thread, about 2 rounds below the nose, with a tiny vertical line to the nose.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches on each side, just below and outside the eyes.
- Feet and scarf: Sew on the feet, then add the scarf.
- Hanging loop (optional): Sew a ch-15 loop to the top of the head, between the antlers.
Hide every tail and give each ear, antler, and foot 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 reindeer looks too round. Reduce the filling slightly, and roll it gently to a plump oval shape.
The nose looks too big. Skip Round 3, so it ends with a dec round at 6 stitches after Round 2.
The reindeer leans. Flatten the bottom slightly and sew the feet on at the same height.
The eyes look uneven. Mark both positions with pins first, and check the face from the front and from above before embroidering.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for a reindeer about twice the size, and add 2 extra plain rounds before the decreases.
Can I use safety eyes? Yes. Use 6 mm safety eyes between Rounds 8 and 9, but only for older children and adults.
Can I make it into an ornament? Yes. Add the hanging loop and leave out the feet.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try grey, cream, or light caramel for the body, and tartan or green for the scarf.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Crochet Reindeer Pattern
- Easy Crochet Santa Claus Pattern
- Crochet Christmas Decorations Pattern
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