Landscape featured image showing the crochet reindeer applique beside large text reading “Crochet Reindeer Applique Pattern,” a teal “Free Pattern” banner, and Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.

Crochet reindeer appliqué pattern

Add a cheerful handmade reindeer to your Christmas projects with this festive crochet appliqué. The bright red nose, blue scarf, little hooves, and antlers give it plenty of personality for stockings, blankets, gifts, and other holiday makes.

Quick answer

This beginner crochet reindeer appliqué is made with worsted weight (#4) yarn and an E (3.5 mm) crochet hook. The head, body, antlers, nose, and legs are crocheted separately and sewn together, while the scarf is worked directly onto the head and the eyes are stitched on. The finished reindeer measures approximately 8 × 4 inches (20.3 × 10.2 cm) and includes a video tutorial.

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

Finished size

My finished reindeer appliqué measures approximately 8 inches long × 4 inches wide (20.3 × 10.2 cm).

Square graphic featuring a tan crochet reindeer applique with brown antlers, red nose, and blue scarf beside bold text reading “Crochet Reindeer Applique Pattern” and “Free Pattern.”

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this pattern. Small differences in tension will only slightly affect the finished size.

Crochet abbreviations

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.
Pinterest graphic showing the same crochet reindeer applique beneath large colorful text reading “Free Holiday Crochet Reindeer Pattern,” with “Adorable Applique” and Lovable Loops by Melissa Hassler branding.

Crochet 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.

Prefer YouTube? Watch the crochet reindeer applique tutorial on YouTube.

Crochet reindeer appliqué pattern instructions

Crochet the head

Use light brown yarn.

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 (partial round): Sl st in next st after the join, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 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

Use light brown yarn.

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 in next 4 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, dc in next 8 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, dc in next 4 sts, join and fasten off. (40 stitches)

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

Use red yarn.

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 in each ch across, 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.

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

Pinterest pin featuring a tan crochet reindeer applique with dark brown antlers and hooves, a bright red nose, and blue scarf beneath bold text reading “Crochet Reindeer Applique for Christmas Crafts” and “Free Pattern.”