Crochet reindeer appliqué pattern
Looking for a free crochet reindeer appliqué pattern? This cute Christmas reindeer is a quick, beginner-friendly project made with simple stitches and worsted weight yarn.
With a red nose, blue scarf, antlers, and little hooves, it makes a festive addition to stockings, gift tags, hats, blankets, and other holiday projects.
Quick answer
This crochet reindeer appliqué pattern is made with worsted weight yarn and an E (3.5 mm) crochet hook. The finished reindeer measures about 8 inches long × 4 inches wide (20.3 × 10.2 cm) and includes separate instructions for the head, scarf, body, antlers, nose, legs, and facial details.
Skill level: Beginner
Finished size: 8 × 4 inches
Yarn weight: Worsted weight #4
Hook size: E (3.5 mm)
Includes: Head, body, scarf, antlers, nose, legs, eyes, and finishing
Why you’ll love this crochet reindeer appliqué
- Beginner-friendly — Uses basic crochet stitches and simple shaping.
- Festive details — Includes antlers, a bright red nose, scarf, and little hooves.
- Quick holiday project — Small enough to make without committing to a large Christmas project.
- Easy to customize — Change the scarf or nose colors to create your own reindeer look.
- Versatile appliqué — Add it to stockings, hats, bags, blankets, gifts, and décor.
Ways to use this crochet reindeer appliqué
This crochet reindeer appliqué is small, festive, and easy to add to all kinds of holiday projects. Here are a few fun ways to use it:
- Sew it onto stockings, scarves, or hats
- Add it to gift tags, gift bags, or wrapped presents
- Use it on holiday pillows, blankets, or wall hangings
- Add it to classroom projects or Christmas décor
- Use it as a cute handmade accent for winter gifts
Crochet reindeer appliqué pattern details
Here’s a quick overview of the materials, sizing, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.
Skill level
Beginner — This pattern uses basic crochet stitches and simple shaping.
Materials needed
- E (3.5 mm) crochet hook
- Worsted weight yarn (#4) in light brown, dark brown, black, white, red, and blue
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
Finished size
My finished reindeer appliqué measures approximately 8 inches long × 4 inches wide (20.3 × 10.2 cm).
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this pattern. Small differences in tension will only slightly affect the finished size.
Crochet abbreviations
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sc = single crochet
- ch / chs = chain/chains
- st / sts = stitch/stitches
- rnd / rnds = round/rounds
- sl st = slip stitch
- rem = remaining
Pattern notes
- Crochet the head, body, antlers, nose, and legs separately, then sew the pieces together.
- The scarf is crocheted directly onto the head.
- Beginning chains do not count as stitches.
- Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch.
- Repeat instructions between asterisks (*) around as indicated.
- The pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Crochet reindeer appliqué pattern instructions
Follow the step-by-step instructions below to crochet each part of this free crochet reindeer appliqué pattern from start to finish.
Crochet the head
Rnd 1: magic circle, ch 2, 10 dc, join (10 stitches)
Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join (20 stitches)
Rnd 3: ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join (30 stitches)
Rnd 4: sl st in the next st (after the st you joined to), sc in 3 sts, hdc in 2 sts, dc in 3 sts, hdc in 2 sts, sc in 3 sts, sl st in next st, fasten off
Crochet the scarf
The 3 dc from Round 4 of the head should be positioned at the top of the head.
Row 1: Join blue yarn on the right side of the head. Ch 2 and work 9 dc across.
Scarf tail: Ch 6. Dc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each of the next 3 chs. Join with a sl st to the main part of the scarf.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching the head to the body.
Crochet the body
Rnd 1: magic circle, ch 2, 10 dc, join with sl st in top of first dc (10 stitches)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st, join (20 stitches)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next st*, join (30 stitches)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc in next 2 sts*, join (40 stitches)
Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc 4, hdc 3, sc 6, hdc 3, dc 8, hdc 3, sc 6, hdc 3, dc 4, join and fasten off
Use a yarn needle and the yarn tail from the scarf to attach the head to the body.
Crochet the antlers
Make 2 using dark brown yarn.
Step 1: Ch 12. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 chs. Do not fasten off.
Step 2: Ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 chs.
Step 3: Sc in the remaining 6 chs from the original ch 12. Fasten off.
Use a yarn needle to sew the antlers onto the top of the head.
Crochet the nose
Rnd 1: magic circle, ch 1, 6 hdc, join with sl st in top of first hdc (6 stitches)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in each st, join and fasten off leaving a long enough tail to sew onto head (12 stitches)
Use a yarn needle to sew the nose onto the head. The bottom of the nose should be positioned at the top of the scarf.
Use a yarn needle and a scrap of white yarn to add some “sparkle” to the nose.
Crochet the legs
Make 4 starting with light brown yarn.
Tip: Leave a long yarn tail when you begin the chain. You will use it to sew the legs to the body.
Row 1: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each rem ch, turn (3 stitches)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (3 stitches)
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in last st, turn. (5 sts)
Rows 4–6: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (5 stitches)
Switch to dark brown yarn.
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn (5 stitches)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st, fasten off
Use a yarn needle to sew the legs onto the body. See pictures for positioning.
Add the eyes
Use black yarn and a yarn needle to stitch two short lines above the nose for the eyes.
Finishing
Weave in all remaining yarn ends and make sure each appliqué piece is securely attached. Gently shape the reindeer if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is this crochet reindeer appliqué pattern beginner-friendly?
Yes. The pattern uses basic crochet stitches, simple shaping, and separately crocheted pieces that are sewn together.
How big is the finished reindeer appliqué?
My finished reindeer measures approximately 8 inches long × 4 inches wide (20.3 × 10.2 cm).
What yarn should I use?
The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (#4) in light brown, dark brown, black, white, red, and blue.
What can I use this reindeer appliqué for?
Use it on stockings, hats, scarves, blankets, pillows, gift bags, wall hangings, or other Christmas projects.
Is there a video tutorial?
Yes. The post includes a step-by-step video tutorial showing how to crochet the reindeer appliqué.
Video tutorial
Follow along with this step-by-step video tutorial to see how to crochet the reindeer appliqué from start to finish.
More free crochet appliqué patterns
Looking for more small crochet projects? Browse my full collection of free crochet appliqué patterns for designs you can add to hats, blankets, bags, garlands, gifts, and more.
Christmas crochet decor patterns
Looking for more festive projects to make? Browse my favorite Christmas crochet decor patterns, including ornaments, pillows, garlands, appliqués, stockings, and other cozy holiday makes for your home.
You can also visit my full collection of home decor crochet patterns for even more handmade ideas to decorate every season.
Let’s connect!
I’d love to see what you’re making! Share your finished project and follow along for more free crochet patterns and tutorials.
📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa
