How to Crochet Adorable Reindeer for the Holidays

Crocheting adorable reindeer brings so much joy and charm to the holiday season! Using soft yarn and a crochet hook, you can create these whimsical reindeer that will surely bring smiles to those who see them. From their cute antlers to their rosy cheeks, each detail adds to their charm. Whether you're making them as a decoration for your own home or as a heartfelt gift, the process of crocheting these little reindeer is a delightful journey filled with creativity and warmth.

Materials Needed

You will need:

• DK weight yarn in beige and brown
• 3.5mm crochet hook
• 9mm black safety toy eyes
• Red felt
• Gold bell
• Wool needle
• Toy stuffing

Stitches and Abbreviations (UK)

• Ch - chain
• Sl st – slip stitch
• dc – double crochet
• dc2tog - double crochet two stitches together

Creating the Reindeer

Legs

Make four using beige yarn.

• Start with 6dc into a magic ring. 6 St.
• Rnd 1: (dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 9 sts.
• Rnd 2: dc into each st to the end. 9 sts.
• Rnd 3: (dc2tog, dc in the next st) repeat to end. 6 sts.
• Rnd 4 & 13: dc into each st to the end. 6 sts.
• Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and pull through loop to secure.
• Stuff with toy stuffing.

Head

Make one using beige yarn.

• Make a magic ring and work 6dc into the ring. Six sts.
• Rnd 1: 2dc into each st to the end. 12 sts.
• Rnd 2: dc in each st to the end. 12 sts.
• Rnd 3: (dc in the first three sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 15 sts.
• Rnd 4: (dc in the first four sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 18 sts.
• Rnd 5: 2dc in the first six sts, dc in each remaining st to the end. 24 sts.
• Rnd 6-8: dc in each st to the end. 24 sts *mark round 7 with a stitch marker or small piece of contrasting yarn.*
• Rnd 9: (dc2tog, dc in the next two sts) repeat to end. 18 sts *pause to insert toy eyes. Use the photo as a guide to place these on the marked round 9, stitches apart.*
• Rnd 10: (dc2tog, dc in the next st) repeat to end. 12 sts *stuff now.*
• Rnd 11: (dc2tog) repeat to end. 6 sts.
• Fasten off and sew closed the hole at the base of the head.

Body

Make one using beige yarn.

• Make a magic ring and work 6dc into the ring. Six sts.
• Rnd 1: 2dc into each st to the end. 12 sts.
• Rnd 2: (dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 18 sts.
• Rnd 3: (dc in the first two sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 24 sts.
• Rnd 4-9: dc in each st to the end. 24 sts.
• Rnd 10: (dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st) repeat four times, dc in each remaining st to the end. 28 sts.
• Rnd 11-12: dc in each st to the end.
• Rnd 13: (dc2tog, dc in the next six sts) repeat to end. 24 sts.
• Rnd 14: (dc2tog, dc in the next two sts) repeat to end. 18 sts.
• Rnd 15: (dc2tog, dc in the next st) repeat to end. 12 sts *stuff now.*
• Rnd 26: (dc2tog) repeat to end. 6 sts.
• Fasten off and sew closed the hole at the tail end of the reindeer.
• Weave in and cut off any loose ends.
• Sew head and legs to the body.

Ears and Tail

Make two for the ears and one for the tail.

• Ch 6
• Row 1: slst in 2nd ch from hook, dc in the next st, htr in the next st, tr in the next two sts.
• Fasten off and sew in place on the head and bottom.

Antlers

Make two using a darker brown yarn.

• Ch 8
• Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in the next four sts, ch 8.
• Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in the next five sts, ch 6.
• Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in the next five sts, ch 6.
• Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in the next five sts, dc into the base of the 2nd chain of 8, ch 5.
• Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in the next four sts, dc back into the base of the 2nd chain of 8 to join, dc in the next three ch sts.
• Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and pull through loop to secure.
• Sew in place on the head.

Final Touches

To finish, cut a small rounded triangle out of red felt and glue or sew it in place on the face. Cut a long piece of red felt and glue or sew it around the neck. Sew a little gold bell to the collar to complete your adorable crocheted reindeer!