My Crochet Reindeer Cuddler is a free pattern here on the blog! This holiday project is a quick crochet gift idea! Scroll down for the free pattern and video tutorial!
Pattern Design + Construction
The Crochet Reindeer Cuddler is the cutest, cuddliest red-nosed companion for the holidays and sure to bring some holiday cheer! This design makes a great Christmas photo prop for little ones or a fun, handmade holiday gift idea. It pairs well with my crochet gingerbread man and crochet christmas tree cuddler! His favorite snack is marshmallows and he loves the movie ELF!
The Crochet Reindeer Cuddler consists of the front and back panel, nose, ears and antlers. We will be attaching safety eyes and adding a bit of stuffing between the front and back before joining with a round of single crochet. The ears and antlers are attached using a tapestry needle. I would classify this pattern as intermediate since the antlers are fun yet challenging. There are two options for the antler construction. The finished reindeer measures approximately 7 inches tall by 4-5 inches wide. You could easily make a larger version of this lovey and turn him into a pillow by using a larger crochet hook and yarn.
Pin this Crochet Reindeer Cuddler Free Pattern to your crochet board on Pinterest for later!
Yarn:
We'll be using medium Worsted Weight (4) Yarn for this crochet Reindeer Cuddler pattern. This is my favorite yarn weight to work with for crochet rag dolls and it has a great price point. It's versatile and wears well while also being soft and cozy which is perfect for a lovey or cuddler pattern! You could easily substitute brands of worsted weight yarn as long as the ounces per gram are similar.
For this tutorial, I used the following yarn:
Red Heart Super Saver, Medium 4, 7 oz / 198 g, in the color Café Latte
Red Heart Super Saver, Medium 4, 7 oz / 198 g, in the color Cherry Red
Red Heart Super Saver, Medium 4, 7 oz / 198 g, in the color Coffee
Additional Crochet Supplies:
If you make a purchase using these links, you're supporting this blogger at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Size G (6) Crochet Hook - https://amzn.to/3ySvm0Y
Tapestry Needle / Yarn Needle - https://amzn.to/2VWOFb4
Scissors - https://amzn.to/3m5VPo8
Stitch Markers - https://amzn.to/3CRYkQU
Stuffing - https://amzn.to/3sKYsgr
Safety Eyes (12mm) - https://amzn.to/2M1hvli
Stitches:
This pattern is written in US crochet terminology.
Chain
SC - Single Crochet
DC - Double Crochet
TC - Triple Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
DEC - Single Crochet Decrease
INC - Single Crochet Increase
Slip Stitch
Magic Circle
* - Repeat sequence until the end of the round
For the PDF printable, ad-free pattern: CLICK HERE
To pin this pattern on Pinterest for later: CLICK HERE
To follow along with the video tutorial: CLICK HERE
Crochet Reindeer Cuddler - Free Pattern
Reindeer Front & Back Panels (Make 2):
With light brown yarn, Chain 13
Row 1: SC in each stitch, chain 1 (12 stitches)
Row 2: INC, SC in the next 10 stitches, INC, chain 1 (14 stitches)
Row 3: INC, SC in the next 12 stitches, INC, chain 1 (16 stitches)
Row 4: INC, SC in the next 14 stitches, INC, chain 1 (18 stitches)
Rows 5-8: SC in each stitch, chain 1 (18 stitches)
Row 9: DEC, SC in the next 16 stitches, chain 1 (17 stitches)
Row 10: DEC, SC in the next 15 stitches, chain 1 (16 stitches)
Row 11: DEC, SC in the next 14 stitches, chain 1 (15 stitches)
Row 12: SC in each stitch, chain 1 (15 stitches)
Row 13: SC in the first 13 stitches, DEC, chain 1 (14 stitches)
Row 14: SC in the first 12 stitches, DEC, chain 1 (13 stitches)
Row 15: SC in the first 11 stitches, DEC, chain 1 (12 stitches)
Row 16: SC in the first 10 stitches, DEC, chain 1 (11 stitches)
Row 17: SC in the first 9 stitches, DEC, chain 1 (10 stitches)
Row 18: DEC, SC in the next 6 stitches, DEC, chain 1 (8 stitches)
Tie off and pull through the chain 1 to secure.
Weave in and trim ends.
Reindeer Nose:
With red yarn,
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 12, pull tight (12 stitches)
Round 2: There will be two stitches in each stitch around except the last, grouped together below with parenthesis.
(slip stitch, SC)
(HDC, DC)
(TC, TC)
(TC, TC)
(DC, HDC)
(SC, slip stitch)
this makes one half of the nose; then, we repeat for the second half
(slip stitch, SC)
(HDC, DC)
(TC, TC)
(TC, TC)
(DC, HDC)
(SC)
Slip stitch into the first stitch of the round instead of the same stitch you just SC in.
Chain 1, tie off with a long tail.
Pull through the chain stitch to secure.
Set aside.
Reindeer Ears (Make 2 per Ear):
With light brown yarn, chain 6
Row 1: slip stitch, SC, HDC, HDC, 4 HDC in the last stitch (turning as you go)
Then continue up the other side of your chain stitches:
Row 2: HDC, HDC, SC, slip stitch
Chain 1, tie off with a short tail pulling through the chain stitch to secure.
Ear Assembly:
Line up the two sides of your ears and join them together with a row of SC beginning at the bottom of the ears.
At the top of the ear where it comes to a slight point, chain 1 in between the top two stitches.
You can use polyfil for a little stuffing, or the tails from both sides of the ears.
When you've completed the last stitch, slip stitch into the first SC of the join to complete, chain 1 and tie off with a long tail pulling through the chain stitch to secure.
Set aside.
Reindeer Antlers (Make 2)
(Magic Circle Option/Recommended):
Little Antler
With dark brown yarn,
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 4, pull tight (4 stitches)
Rounds 2-3: SC 4 (4 stitches)
I had to trim off the short tail to see what I was doing :)
Chain 1, tie off with a medium tail pulling through the chain stitch to secure.
Set aside.
Big Antler
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 4, pull tight (4 stitches)
Rounds 2-4: SC 4 (4 stitches)
I had to trim off the short tail to see what I was doing :)
Round 5: Without tying off, SC into the last stitch of the round on the little antler and insert a stitch marker, continue to SC around both antlers until you reach the stitch marker again (8 stitches)
Keep the medium tail from the little antler accessible through the bottom.
Rounds 6-7: SC in each stitch around (8 stitches)
Chain 1, tie off with a long tail.
You can see there is a little bit of a hole in between the antlers where we joined them together. Using your yarn needle and the tail from the short antler, insert the needle through the bottom and out through the top placing a few small stitches to close up the hole. Then run the leftover yarn back out through the base of the antlers.
Set aside.
Reindeer Antlers (Make 2 per Antler)
(Non-Magic Circle Option):
With light brown yarn, Chain 3
Rows 1-3: SC 2, chain 1 (2 stitches)
At the end of row 3: chain 5, SC 4 stitches down the chain and slip stitch into the center stitch of the left side of rows 1-3 we just created. You can tell the yarn 'wants' to go down that side naturally.
Chain 4, SC 3 down the chain, slip stitch into the last stitch on that side, and slip stitch in the next.
You're now at the bottom where your chain stitches from the beginning are and you're going to SC in those two base chain stitches, chain 1 and tie off pulling through that chain to secure (this cleans up the edge of the bottom of the antler base).
Line up two of these and stitch together using your yarn needle.
Crochet Reindeer Cuddler Assembly:
To assemble the face, use a yarn needle and the long red tail to attach the nose to the front panel.
Attach the safety eyes.
Line up both sides of the base panels (making sure the face is on the outside).
Join the front and back together with a round of single crochet.
Be sure to add your stuffing before closing entirely and tying off.
Using a tapestry needle and the long tails, attach the ears and antlers.
Tie off, weave in and trim any excess yarn.
I'd love to see your creations! Tag me on Instagram @heathercorinne_ or Facebook @heathercorinnecrochets
Chat with you soon,
OTHER FREE CHRISTMAS PATTERNS:
(You're welcome to make and sell items using my patterns but do not use my pattern or pictures and claim them as your own. Clearly credit the design to me and provide a link back to my pattern. Personal Use Only. ©2020 Heather Corinne)
