Crochet Kelp the Deer

Crochet Kelp the Deer is an adorable amigurumi pattern that is sure to bring a touch of whimsy and charm to any space! With its intricate design and intricate details, this cute little deer is a joy to create and perfect for both beginner and experienced crocheters alike. You'll love how the soft yarn brings Kelp to life with its endearing expression and tiny antlers, making it a delightful addition to your collection or a heartwarming gift for a loved one. Embrace the art of crochet and let Kelp the Deer bring a smile to your face with its sweet and friendly presence!

SUPPLIES

2.25mm Crochet hook
Worsted weight yarn in three different colors, light brown, white, and cream (For optional antlers)
Safety eyes 12mm
Yarn needle
Fiberfill
Stitch marker
Dowel
Cream and brown felt sheets
Glue

Abbreviations :
MC = Magic Circle
SC = single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
CC = Yarn color change (Counts as first st of the rnd and is followed by a sl st)
Sc rnd = sc in every stitch around
Inc = Increase, 2 sc in same st
Dec = Decrease, next 2 sts crocheted together
Ch = Chain
Sts = Stitches
B. Lps = Back loops of the stitch
[…] = repeat instructions for entire round or as specified

Techniques:

Magic circle: Essential to the start of most amigurumi

Invisible decrease: Good for preventing gaps and giving a more uniform look to your sc’s.

Working in front lps: For my patterns I always work sc’s in the front loops of the stitch, unless otherwise specified. By working in only the front loops the sc’s will stack up straighter than if you worked them in both loops.

Stitch markers: I use a stitch marker (bobby pin) for keeping track of the beginning of my rounds, I place it in the first stitch of the round.

Staggered rounds: Staggered rounds off set the patterns inc’s or dec’s so you don’t get that pinwheel look and it is more of a circle instead of a hexagon. For example, [4 sc, inc] x6 is an even inc round that can be a staggered round, so it would become, 2 sc, inc, [4 sc, inc] x5, 2 sc, the even sc’s are split at the beginning of the round.

Close: Closing a piece is threading your yarn needle with the yarn end and putting it through each of the front loops of the last rounds’ sc’s, usually 6, and pulling tight. It should look like a mini magic circle, then put the needle through the center of it and out through the piece. Tie your knot and stuff ends back into the piece.

Whip stitch: Usually means the finished piece is folded flat with the last sc or yarn end at the edge of the piece. Thread yarn needle with yarn end, and again with only the front loops, ‘zigzag,’ or whip stitch the opening closed.

Pattern:

Head

Starting with white
RND 1: 6sc in MC (6 sts)
RND 2: 6 inc (12 sts)
RND 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
RND 4: sc rnd (18 sts)
RND 5: sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] x5, sc (24) sts
RND 6: CC light brown, sl st, 22 sc (24 sts)
RND 7: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts)
RND 8: 2 sc, inc, [4 sc, inc] x5, 2 sc (36 sts)
RND 9: 2 sc, dec, [4 sc, dec] x5, 2 sc (30 sts)

Place eyes between rnds 6 and 7, and about ten sts between them.

RND 10: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts)
RND 11: sc, dec, [2 sc, dec] x5, sc (18 sts)
RND 12: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts)
RND 13: 6 dec (6 sts)

Fully stuff the head and close

Ears x2

In light brown
RND 1: 4 sc in MC (4 sts)
RND 2: 4 inc (8 sts)
RND 3-5: Three sc rnds (8 sts)

Whip stitch the openings closed and attach to the head between rnds 10 and l1, around eight sts apart.

Antlers (optional)

In cream
Right antler
ROW 1: Ch 6 +1, turn
ROW 2: 3 sl st, ch 2 +1, turn
ROW 3: 2 sl st, 3 sc

Weave in the beginning yarn end and thread the ending yarn end through yarn needle. Attach to the head between rnds 8 and 9 in front of an ear.

Left antler
ROW 1: Ch 5 +1, turn
ROW 2: 2 sl st, ch 3 +1, turn
ROW 3: 3 sl st, 3 sc

Weave in the beginning yarn end and thread the ending yarn end through yarn needle. Attach to the head between rnds 8 and 9 in front of the other ear. Around five sts between the antlers.

Body

RND 1: 6 sc in MC (6 sts)
RND 2: 6 inc (12 sts)
RND 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
RND 4: sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] x5, sc (24 sts)
RND 5-9: 4 rnds of sc (24 sts)
RND 10: 6 dec, 12 sc (18 sts)
RND 11: 6 dec, 6 sc (12 sts)
RND 12: 4 sl st, 7 hdc (12 sts)

Fully stuff the body and start attaching it to the head. The hdc should run along the color change rnd of the head when attaching.

Tail

In light brown
RND 1: 4 sc in MC (4 sts)
RND 2: [sc, inc] x2 (6 sts)
RND 3: [2 sc, inc] x2 (8 sts)
RND 4: sc rnd (8 sts)
RND 5: 2 sc, 3 dec (5 sts)

Stuff the tail and attach to the body, down the center of the back around rnds 3 and 4

Front legs

Starting with dark brown
RND 1: 6 sc in MC (6 sts)
RND 2: sc rnd in b. Lps only (6 sts)
RND 3: CC light brown, sl st, 4 sc (6 sts)
RND 4-6: Three sc rnds (6 sts)

Using a down stuff down the yarn ends and that should be enough stuffing for them. Attach to the body within rnds 6-8 with one st between them.

Back legs

Starting with dark brown
RND 1: MC 6 sc (6 sts)
RND 2: sc rnd, in b. Lps only (6 sts)
RND 3: CC light brown, sl st, 4 sc (6 sts)
RND 4-5: Two sc rnds (6 sts)

Using a dowel stuff down the yarn ends and that should be enough stuffing for them. Attach to the body within rnds 1-3 with two to three sts between them.

Felt details are done with felt sheets, but they can also easily been down by felting

Nose

Cut out a rounded triangle from the brown felt sheet and glue to face

Inner ears

Cut out oval shape from cream felt sheet and glue to ears

Spots
Cut out as many small circles as desired and glue to body and head

And your little deer is complete!