Meet Ray the Reindeer! He loves the cold winter snow and eating leaves with good friends!
Growing up I was always fond of reindeer at Christmastime and it was the first animal to come to mind when brainstorming.
This is the first of four patterns that I'll be sharing on the blog for my Christmas in July series!
I try to make each pattern as easy to read as possible and loaded with photos to help along the way, making them great for beginners! To make this pattern you will want to be familiar with a magic circle, invisible decrease, and sewing on parts.
If you are new to amigurumi be sure to check out my tips and materials page to help you get started! I go over each topic above in mini photo tutorials.
Be sure to also join the Grace and Yarn Crochet Group on Facebook. Share your projects, get inspiration and ask questions as you go!
In most of my patterns (like this one) I use plastic safety eyes, they are easy and fast to install. However, they are not recommended for children under 3.
If you are making this for a little one or don't have the size needed on hand, I recommend using my crochet thread eyes as an alternative!
You may make and sell items made from this pattern but please do not sell, share or reproduce the actual pattern. If you sell finished items online (Etsy, etc) please provide a link to the pattern and credit to me as the designer, thank you. I hope you enjoy this pattern!
Pattern
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- Size 4 worsted weight yarn
- 120g of light brown (I used I Love This Yarn in Toasted Almond)
- Small amount of
- Dark brown
- White
- Red or black for the nose
- Choice of color for the scarf
- 3.5 mm crochet hook (these are my favorites!)
- 12 mm safety eyes
- Scissors and tapestry needle
- Stuffing
- Stitch markers
SC- Single crochet
SC INC- Single crochet increase
INV DEC- Invisible decrease
HDC- Half double crochet
*Slowly stuff as you go, you want it to be firm but not stretched. You will be working in the round, I like using a stitch marker at the beginning of each round.
Legs and Body
Legs: Make 2 - Using light brown
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next stitch, rep around (18 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch, rep around (24 SC)
Round 5: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch, rep around (30 SC)
Rounds 6-8: SC around (30 SC)
Round 9: SC in the first 3 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (24 SC)
Round 10: SC in the first 2 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (18 SC)
Rounds 11-24: SC around (18 SC)
Fasten off (when you finish the 2nd leg do not fasten off, proceed to round 25)
*Round 25 joins the legs together and starts the body
Round 25: Chain 3 and attach to the first leg with a SC, SC in the remaining stitches around the leg, when you reach the chain make a SC across each of the 3 chains, SC in the remaining stitches of the next leg and SC across each of the 3 chains (42 SC) This completes your join and is where your next round will start.
Rounds 26-41: SC around (42 SC)
Round 42: SC in the first 5 stitches, INV DEC, rep around (36 SC)
Round 43: SC in the first 4 stitches, INV DEC, rep around (30 SC)
Round 44: SC around (30 SC)
Round 45: SC in the first 3 stitches, INV DEC, rep around (24 SC)
Rounds 46-47: SC around (24 SC)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing
Head
Note- We will be making the head from the top down, you’re beginning rounds will be the top of the head.
With light brown
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch around (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next, rep around (18 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (24 SC)
Round 5: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (30 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first 4 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (36 SC)
Round 7: SC in the first 5 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (42 SC)
Round 8: SC in the first 6 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (48 SC)
Round 9: SC in the first 7 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (54 SC)
Rounds 10-18: SC around (54 SC)
Note: Here is where we will add the eyes before we start closing the head. Insert the eyes between rows 15 and 16, 8 stitches apart. Optional: Feel free to add eyelashes before securing your eyes, remember that we are working from the top of the head down so your eyelashes may seem upside down until we close the head.
Round 19: SC in the first 7 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (48 SC)
Round 20: SC in the first 6 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (42 SC)
Round 21: SC in the first 5 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (36 SC)
Round 22: SC in the first 4 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (30 SC)
Round 23: SC in the first 3 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (24 SC) *Continue to stuff the head firmly
Round 24: SC in the first 2 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (18 SC)
Round 25: SC in the first stitch, INV DEC in the next, rep around (12 SC)
Round 26: INV DEC around (6 SC)
Fasten off and sew remaining part closed, weave in your end
Ears
Legs: Make 2 - Using light brown
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next stitch, rep around (18 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch, rep around (24 SC)
Round 5: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch, rep around (30 SC)
Rounds 6-8: SC around (30 SC)
Round 9: SC in the first 3 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (24 SC)
Round 10: SC in the first 2 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (18 SC)
Rounds 11-24: SC around (18 SC)
Fasten off (when you finish the 2nd leg do not fasten off, proceed to round 25)
*Round 25 joins the legs together and starts the body
Round 25: Chain 3 and attach to the first leg with a SC, SC in the remaining stitches around the leg, when you reach the chain make a SC across each of the 3 chains, SC in the remaining stitches of the next leg and SC across each of the 3 chains (42 SC) This completes your join and is where your next round will start.
Rounds 26-41: SC around (42 SC)
Round 42: SC in the first 5 stitches, INV DEC, rep around (36 SC)
Round 43: SC in the first 4 stitches, INV DEC, rep around (30 SC)
Round 44: SC around (30 SC)
Round 45: SC in the first 3 stitches, INV DEC, rep around (24 SC)
Rounds 46-47: SC around (24 SC)
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing
Head
Note- We will be making the head from the top down, you’re beginning rounds will be the top of the head.
With light brown
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch around (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next, rep around (18 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (24 SC)
Round 5: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (30 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first 4 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (36 SC)
Round 7: SC in the first 5 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (42 SC)
Round 8: SC in the first 6 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (48 SC)
Round 9: SC in the first 7 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (54 SC)
Rounds 10-18: SC around (54 SC)
Note: Here is where we will add the eyes before we start closing the head. Insert the eyes between rows 15 and 16, 8 stitches apart. Optional: Feel free to add eyelashes before securing your eyes, remember that we are working from the top of the head down so your eyelashes may seem upside down until we close the head.
Round 19: SC in the first 7 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (48 SC)
Round 20: SC in the first 6 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (42 SC)
Round 21: SC in the first 5 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (36 SC)
Round 22: SC in the first 4 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (30 SC)
Round 23: SC in the first 3 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (24 SC) *Continue to stuff the head firmly
Round 24: SC in the first 2 stitches, INV DEC in the next, rep around (18 SC)
Round 25: SC in the first stitch, INV DEC in the next, rep around (12 SC)
Round 26: INV DEC around (6 SC)
Fasten off and sew remaining part closed, weave in your end
Ears
Make 2
With light brown
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 8 SC
Rounds 2-3: SC around (8 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next, repeat around (12 SC)
Round 5: SC around (12 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first 2 sts, SC INC in the next, repeat around (16 SC)
Rounds 7-11: SC around (16 SC)
Fold ear in half and SC across the top as pictured below, then fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
Antlers
With light brown
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 8 SC
Rounds 2-3: SC around (8 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next, repeat around (12 SC)
Round 5: SC around (12 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first 2 sts, SC INC in the next, repeat around (16 SC)
Rounds 7-11: SC around (16 SC)
Fold ear in half and SC across the top as pictured below, then fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
Antlers
Make 2 of each size
With dark brown
Large:
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch (12 SC)
Rounds 3-14: SC around (12 SC)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
Small:
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 8 SC
Rounds 2-6: SC around (8 SC)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
Lightly stuff each antler and sew one small onto one large as pictured below:
Mouth Piece
With white
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next, rep around (18 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (24 SC)
Rounds 5-6: SC around (24 SC)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
Nose
With red or black
Create a magic circle with 6 HDC, fasten off with a long tail for sewing and sew onto the top portion of the mouth piece
Arms
Make 2
*Lightly stuff the bottom of the arms only*
With light brown
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch around (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC, rep around (15 SC)
Rounds 4-5: SC around (15 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first stitch, INV DEC, rep around (10 SC)
Rounds 7-20: SC around (10 SC)
At the end of round 20 pinch the arm flat and make 5 SC across the top to close, fasten off and leave a long tail to sew onto the body.
Scarf
With color of choice, chain 103
Row 1: SC in the 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across, chain 1 and turn (102 SC)
Row 2: SC across (102 SC)
Cut 4 strands of yarn about 6 inches long, slip stitch each one into the ends of the scarf to create a fringe (I left my starting and ending yarn there as fringe, no need to weave them in). Cut the strands to make them all even.
Assembling The Head
1. Sew the mouth/nose piece centered between the eyes, lightly stuff as you go
2. Time to sew the horns on, I placed mine centered on the top of the head starting at the 2nd round and ending at the 5th round
3. Next, sew your ears just outside of the horns
Final Assembly
Sew the head onto the body, making sure to have the facial features centered. Add extra stuffing as you go to keep it firm and less wobbly. Next sew the arms onto the body centered with the head at round 45. Lastly, I folded the scarf in half around the neck and pulled the ends through the loop.
With dark brown
Large:
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch (12 SC)
Rounds 3-14: SC around (12 SC)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
Small:
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 8 SC
Rounds 2-6: SC around (8 SC)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
Lightly stuff each antler and sew one small onto one large as pictured below:
Mouth Piece
With white
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first stitch, SC INC in the next, rep around (18 SC)
Round 4: SC in the first 2 stitches, SC INC in the next, rep around (24 SC)
Rounds 5-6: SC around (24 SC)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
Nose
With red or black
Create a magic circle with 6 HDC, fasten off with a long tail for sewing and sew onto the top portion of the mouth piece
Arms
Make 2
*Lightly stuff the bottom of the arms only*
With light brown
Round 1: Create a magic circle with 6 SC
Round 2: SC INC in each stitch around (12 SC)
Round 3: SC in the first 3 stitches, SC INC, rep around (15 SC)
Rounds 4-5: SC around (15 SC)
Round 6: SC in the first stitch, INV DEC, rep around (10 SC)
Rounds 7-20: SC around (10 SC)
At the end of round 20 pinch the arm flat and make 5 SC across the top to close, fasten off and leave a long tail to sew onto the body.
Scarf
With color of choice, chain 103
Row 1: SC in the 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across, chain 1 and turn (102 SC)
Row 2: SC across (102 SC)
Cut 4 strands of yarn about 6 inches long, slip stitch each one into the ends of the scarf to create a fringe (I left my starting and ending yarn there as fringe, no need to weave them in). Cut the strands to make them all even.
Assembling The Head
1. Sew the mouth/nose piece centered between the eyes, lightly stuff as you go
2. Time to sew the horns on, I placed mine centered on the top of the head starting at the 2nd round and ending at the 5th round
3. Next, sew your ears just outside of the horns
Final Assembly
Sew the head onto the body, making sure to have the facial features centered. Add extra stuffing as you go to keep it firm and less wobbly. Next sew the arms onto the body centered with the head at round 45. Lastly, I folded the scarf in half around the neck and pulled the ends through the loop.
Your reindeer is complete! I hope you have enjoyed making this pattern.
Let me know if you have any questions with this pattern or any of my other patterns, I would be happy to help!
This is so cute. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteAdorable! Thanks for the pattern!!
ReplyDeleteGreat work of art! I love your reindeer! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely, thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou’re welcome, so glad you have enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteSo, so cute. Thxs for sharing
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pattern a d thank you for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused at the joining of the legs together. I have the 18 stitches on each leg, plus the 3 to join the legs. That comes to 39 stitches. But you have 42. Have I missed something somewhere. Would be very grateful for any help.
You stitch into the chain 3 from both sides - then you have 6 stitches. To say it differently, you crochet into the chain 3 every time, you get across to it. Don't really know how to explain it better, sorry, I'm not a native speaker of English.
DeleteThank you for this pattern, I am new to crochet but this was easy to follow !
ReplyDeleteThank you very much from Germany!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this pattern. This was my first crocheted doll and it turned out so cute!!
ReplyDelete