Free Crochet Pattern: Cute Reindeer
Designer: MarizzaToys | Translation: @honey.benie
Using this pattern, you can crochet a festive reindeer in a cozy sweater. Suitable yarns include acrylic or cotton blends like YarnArt Jeans or Alize Cotton Gold. For a larger, softer toy, try plush yarn like Alize Softy. The sweater is crocheted as part of the body. Use pink pastel or blush to tint the cheeks for a charming touch.
Materials and Tools
- Yarn in multiple colors
- Crochet hook
- Safety eyes
- Toy stuffing
- Stitch markers
- Pins
- Dry pastel or blush
- Sewing needle
- Scissors
Abbreviations
- MR: Magic Ring
- ch: Chain
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- sc: Single Crochet
- inc: Increase
- dec: Decrease
- (…) x n: Repeat instructions in parentheses n times
Pattern Instructions
Arms
Start with brown yarn. Stuff only 2/3 of the arm.
- 6 sc in MR (6)
- 6 inc (12)
- (3 sc, inc) x 3 (15)
4-5. 15 sc (2 rounds) - (3 sc, dec) x 3 (12)
Change to red yarn:
7-14. 12 sc (8 rounds)
- (4 sc, dec) x 2 (10)
- 10 sc
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Attach arms to the body at round 17.
Legs
Start with brown yarn. Stuff as you go.
- 6 sc in MR (6)
- 6 inc (12)
- (sc, inc) x 6 (18)
- (5 sc, inc) x 3 (21)
- 21 sc
- 7 sc, 4 dec, 6 sc (17)
- 7 sc, 2 dec, 6 sc (15)
- 15 sc
- (4 sc, inc) x 3 (18)
- 18 sc
- (5 sc, inc) x 3 (21)
Left Leg: Crochet 15 sc, fasten off, and cut yarn.
Right Leg: Crochet 21 sc, do not fasten off.
Body
- On the right leg, crochet 7 sc, then join the left leg. Continue from where you left off on the left leg, crocheting 21 sc. Then crochet 21 sc on the right leg. Place a marker here (42).
- (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)
3-5. 48 sc (3 rounds)
Change to red yarn. Work alternating rounds in red, green, and white yarn for the sweater:
6-8. 48 sc (3 rounds) in red
- 48 sc in green
- 3 sc, dec, (6 sc, dec) x 5, 3 sc (42) in red
- 42 sc in white
- (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36) in white
- 36 sc in red
- 36 sc in green
- 2 sc, dec, (4 sc, dec) x 5, 2 sc (30) in red
16-17. 30 sc (2 rounds) in red - (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24) in red
- 24 sc in red
Stuff the body firmly, especially the neck area. Switch to brown yarn and continue with the head.
Head
- sc, inc, (2 sc, inc) x 7, sc (32)
- (3 sc, inc) x 8 (40)
- 2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc) x 7, 2 sc (48)
- (5 sc, inc) x 8 (56)
5-10. 56 sc (6 rounds) - (5 sc, dec) x 8 (48)
12-13. 48 sc (2 rounds)
Insert safety eyes between rounds 8 and 9, leaving 9 sc between them.
- 3 sc, dec, (6 sc, dec) x 5, 3 sc (42)
15-16. 42 sc (2 rounds) - (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
- 2 sc, dec, (4 sc, dec) x 5, 2 sc (30)
- (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
- sc, dec, (2 sc, dec) x 5, sc (18)
- (sc, dec) x 6 (12)
- 6 dec (6)
Ensure the head is stuffed firmly. Close the opening and hide the yarn tail inside.
Ears
Using brown yarn:
- 6 sc in MR (6)
- 6 inc (12)
- (3 sc, inc) x 3 (15)
4-5. 15 sc (2 rounds) - (3 sc, dec) x 3 (12)
- 12 sc
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Fold ears in half and sew to the head at round 16.
Antlers
Using white or dark brown yarn, crochet two pieces:
- 6 sc in MR (6)
2-3. 6 sc (2 rounds)
First Piece: Fasten off and cut yarn.
Second Piece: Do not fasten off. Join the first piece and crochet 6 sc on it. Then work 6 sc on the second piece (12).
- (sc, dec) x 4 (8)
- 8 sc
Sew antlers to the top of the head, leaving 4 sc between them.
Tail
Using brown yarn:
- 6 sc in MR (6)
- 6 inc (12)
- (2 sc, inc) x 4 (16)
- 16 sc
- 8 dec
Sew the tail to the back, just below the sweater.
Finishing Touches
- Use red yarn to embroider the nose between rounds 7 and 8.
- Embroider the mouth and eyebrows with black yarn.
- Tint the cheeks with pink pastel or blush for a cute look.
Your crocheted reindeer is ready! Don’t forget to tag the designer, MarizzaToys, in your social media posts.
Related Patterns
- Gingerbread Cookie Crochet Pattern
- Mimi the Sheep Crochet Pattern
