How to Crochet the Reindeer
Crochet a festive reindeer toy worked primarily in continuous spirals. The project includes a shaped head and body, four legs, ears, a bright nose, antlers and a tail, all assembled and stuffed to create the finished toy.
The pattern uses simple increases and decreases with a small bobble detail for the antlers and is designed to produce a finished reindeer measuring 21cm high.
Project: Crochet Reindeer
Pattern: A548
Craft type: Crochet
Difficulty: •••
Measurements
| Height | cm | 21 |
Yarn Required
| Yarn | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Lincraft DK 8ply 100g balls Main Colour (MC - buff) | 1 |
| 1st Colour (C1 - chocolate) | 1 |
| 2nd Colour (C2 - white) | small amount |
| 3rd Colour (C3 - fire red) | small amount |
Crochet Hook
A 3.00mm crochet hook or size needed so that no holes appear in stitches through which stuffing may show.
Requirements
- Wool needle for sewing up.
- 12mm safety eyes.
- Lincraft siliconised stuffing premium soft fill.
- A stitch marker (optional).
Tension
Tension is not important for this project.
Special Abbreviations
mr = magic ring (alternatively 3ch, sl st into beg ch and dc into ring).
blo = back loop only.
bobble = 4 treble stitches worked together. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up loop, yarn over and pull through two loops (2 loops left on hook), yarn over, insert hook into same st and pull up loop, yarn over and pull through two loops (3 loops left on hook), yarn over, insert hook into same stitch and pull up loop, yarn over and pull through two loops (4 loops left on hook), yarn over, insert hook into same stitch and pull up loop, yarn over and pull through two loops (5 loops left on hook, yarn over and pull through five remaining loops.
HEAD (worked from nose to back of head in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: Inc once in each dc … 12dc.
2nd round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 18dc.
3rd round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 9 times … 27dc.
4th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
5th round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 9 times … 36dc.
6th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 6th round twice.
9th round: [1dc in each of next 5dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 42dc.
10th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 10th round twice.
Insert 12mm safety eyes between rounds 11 and 12, approx 7 sts apart.
13th round: [1dc in each of next 6dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 48dc.
14th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 14th round 5 times.
20th round: [1dc in each of next 6dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 42dc.
21st round: [1dc in each of next 5dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 36dc.
22nd round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 30dc.
23rd round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 24dc.
Beg to stuff.
24th round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 18dc.
25th round: [1dc in next dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 12dc.
26th round: [1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 6dc.
Fasten off. Complete stuffing. Using the tail of yarn, sew in and out around the last few decs and gently pull hole closed.
BODY (worked from bottom of body to neck in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: Inc once in each dc … 12dc.
2nd round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 18dc.
3rd round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 24dc.
4th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 30dc.
5th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 36dc.
6th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 6th round 6 times.
13th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 30dc.
14th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 14th round 3 times.
18th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 24dc.
19th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 19th round 3 times.
23rd round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 18dc.
24th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Fasten off. Stuff. Leave long tail for sewing.
LEGS (make 4 – worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and C1, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: Inc once in each dc … 12dc.
2nd round: Inc once in each dc … 24dc.
3rd round: Worked in blo. 1dc in each dc to end.
4th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
5th round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 18dc.
6th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Change to MC.
7th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 7th round once.
9th round: [1dc in each of next 7dc, 1dc over next 2dc] twice … 16dc.
10th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 10th round once.
Beg to stuff. Cont to stuff as you go.
12th round: [1dc in each of next 6dc, 1dc over next 2dc] twice … 14dc.
13th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 13th round once.
15th round: [1dc in each of next 5dc, 1dc over next 2dc] twice … 12dc.
16th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 16th round once.
18th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, 1dc over next 2dc] twice … 10dc.
19th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 19th round twice.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. Complete stuffing. Don’t overstuff end.
EARS (make 2 – worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 9dc.
2nd round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 12dc.
3rd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
4th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 15dc.
5th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
6th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 3 times … 12dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
NOSE (worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and C3, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 9dc.
2nd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
3rd round: [1dc in next dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 3 times … 6dc.
Stuff gently.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
ANTLERS (make 2 – worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and C2, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 1st round once.
3rd round: 1dc in each of next 2dc, bobble in next dc, 1dc in each of next 3dc … 6 sts.
4th round: 1dc in each st to end … 6dc.
5th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
Gently push bobble out. Stuff gently.
TAIL (worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 9dc.
2nd round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 12dc.
3rd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 3rd round twice.
6th round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 3 times … 9dc.
7th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
FINISHING
Pinning before sewing is highly recommended.
Sew Nose to front of Head approx 6 rounds down from eyes. Sew Antlers between rounds 17 and 18, approx 6 sts apart. Face bobble inwards. Flatten Ears and sew bottom closed. Pinch in sides at base of Ear and sew to top of Head on outer sides of Antlers between rounds 17 and 18. Sew Head to neck of Body in desired position. Add extra stuffing before sewing closed. Flatten ends of Legs and sew closed. Sew 2 Legs to round 6 of Body, approx 4 sts apart. Sew 2 Legs to round 22 of Body, approx 3 sts apart. Flatten end of Tail and sew closed. Sew centrally to bottom rear of Body between rounds 7 and 8.
Sew in all ends.
Alternative Yarns
The original pattern uses Lincraft DK 8ply yarn. When choosing an alternative yarn, select an 8ply or equivalent yarn that creates a firm fabric with a 3.00mm crochet hook, or use the hook size needed so that no holes appear through which stuffing may show.
Suitable Yarn Types
- 8ply acrylic yarn – durable, easy-care and available in a wide range of colours.
- 8ply cotton yarn – produces a firmer fabric with clear stitch definition.
- 8ply cotton-acrylic blend – combines structure with softness and easy care.
- 8ply wool blend – creates a softer, warmer toy with a natural feel.
- Leftover 8ply yarn – suitable for the antlers and nose where only small amounts are required.
Customisation Ideas
- Change the nose colour to create a traditional brown-nosed reindeer or retain the bright red festive version.
- Use a darker or lighter main colour to create different reindeer coat shades.
- Add an embroidered smile beneath the nose after assembly.
- Add a small crocheted scarf around the finished neck for extra seasonal detail.
- Use contrasting antlers in cream, beige or pale brown instead of white.
- Make a group of reindeer in different colour combinations while keeping the original construction unchanged.
To retain the original proportions and assembly positions, keep all stitch counts, round counts and placement instructions unchanged when making decorative customisations.
Care Instructions
Follow the washing and care instructions provided on the ball band of the yarn used.
- Ensure all seams, limbs, ears, antlers and the tail are securely attached before use.
- Check safety eyes regularly to ensure they remain firmly in place.
- Use gentle washing appropriate for the selected yarn and stuffing.
- Avoid excessive heat that may damage synthetic yarn, stuffing or safety eyes.
- Gently reshape the reindeer after washing.
- Allow the toy to dry completely before storing or using again.
