Free Crochet Reindeer Snuggler Lovey Pattern

By Jan Bay

This free crochet reindeer snuggler lovey pattern makes a Christmas reindeer with a lightly stuffed head, flat floppy body, long arms and legs, cream muzzle and antlers, dark brown hooves and an embroidered face. The relaxed body keeps it closer to a snuggler than a stuffed animal, while an optional embroidered red nose adds a festive Christmas finish.

Materials for the Free Crochet Reindeer Snuggler Lovey Pattern

I would use a soft super bulky chenille yarn for this reindeer. The head needs enough structure to hold the muzzle, ears and antlers, but the body and long limbs are supposed to flop and fold when you pick him up.

Yarn: Super bulky #6 chenille yarn in these approximate amounts:

• Medium chestnut or warm brown: about 180 to 210 yards for the head, body, ears, arms and legs
• Cream or light tan: about 30 to 40 yards for the muzzle and antlers
• Dark brown: about 20 to 25 yards for the hooves and standard nose
• Red: a small amount if you want the optional red Christmas nose

Hook: 5.5 mm (I/9) crochet hook, or the size you need to get a firm stuffed head without large gaps.

You'll also need:

• Polyester fiberfill, about 3 to 4 ounces
• Black embroidery floss for the eyes
• Yarn needle with an eye large enough for chenille yarn
• Removable stitch marker
• Straight pins for positioning the muzzle, ears, antlers and limbs before sewing
• Scissors

Most of the stuffing goes into the head. The body stays unstuffed, and the long parts of the arms and legs stay unstuffed too. Use only a small pinch of fiberfill in the dark brown hooves if you want them to hold their rounded shape.

I would keep all of the facial features soft. The eyes and nose are embroidered, so there are no plastic eyes, buttons or other hard pieces to add.

If this snuggler is being made for a young child, sew the muzzle, ears, antlers and limbs on securely and check them from time to time for loose yarn. Keep soft toys out of an infant's sleep space. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a bare crib, bassinet or play yard with only a fitted sheet in the sleep space. For a baby, use the snuggler during supervised awake time instead. You can read the current CPSC safe sleep guidance here.

Finished Size and Gauge

At the gauge below, the finished reindeer is expected to measure about 21 to 22 inches from the tip of the antlers to the bottom of the hooves when he's lying flat.

The stuffed head is expected to finish about 4 3/4 to 5 inches across at its widest point. The unstuffed body should measure about 6 to 6 1/2 inches long and about 5 1/4 to 5 1/2 inches across at its widest point when it's lying flat.

The arms are expected to measure about 6 inches long. The legs should be about 7 to 7 1/2 inches long, including the dark brown hooves.

Gauge: About 11 single crochet stitches and 12 rounds = 4 inches.

You don't have to chase the gauge down to the last fraction of an inch, but the proportions do matter. If your head comes out much larger than expected, the flat body can start looking too small underneath it.

Use the firmer side of your tension for the stuffed head. You can relax a little on the body and limbs because those pieces need to stay soft enough to drape.

Pattern Notes and Abbreviations

This pattern uses U.S. crochet terms.

Skill level: Advanced beginner. You'll need to be comfortable working in continuous rounds, increasing, decreasing, changing yarn colors and sewing small pieces in place.

MR: magic ring
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
inc: work 2 sc in the same stitch
dec: single crochet the next 2 stitches together
FO: fasten off

Work the head, muzzle, body, arms and legs in continuous rounds unless the instructions say otherwise. Don't join at the end of each round. For the muzzle, place the marker in the first sc of Round 1 and continue directly into that stitch when you begin Round 2. Move your stitch marker up as you work.

The finished snuggler has 11 crocheted pieces:

• 1 stuffed reindeer head
• 1 cream muzzle
• 2 ears
• 2 antlers
• 1 unstuffed body
• 2 arms
• 2 legs

The dark brown hooves are worked directly into the arms and legs, so they aren't separate pieces.

Pull every magic ring tightly closed. Secure and weave in starting tails before stuffing or assembly makes them difficult to reach. Keep the long tails the pattern specifically tells you to leave for sewing.

The head finishes with a 12 stitch opening at the bottom. The body neck edge has 12 foundation-chain positions, so each head stitch can be matched to one foundation-chain position during assembly.

Crochet the Stuffed Reindeer Head

Use the medium brown yarn.

This head is widest through the upper face and cheeks and then narrows underneath. That gives us room for the muzzle without making the whole head round like a ball.

Round 1: Make 6 sc in a MR. (6)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12)

Round 3: [Sc in next stitch, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (18)

Round 4: [Sc in next 2 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (24)

Round 5: [Sc in next 3 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (30)

Round 6: [Sc in next 4 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (36)

Round 7: [Sc in next 5 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (42)

Rounds 8 to 11: Sc in each stitch around. (42)

Round 12: [Sc in next 5 stitches, dec] 6 times. (36)

Round 13: Sc in each stitch around. (36)

Round 14: [Sc in next 4 stitches, dec] 6 times. (30)

Round 15: Sc in each stitch around. (30)

Round 16: [Sc in next 3 stitches, dec] 6 times. (24)

Round 17: [Sc in next 2 stitches, dec] 6 times. (18)

Stuff the head now. Fill the forehead and sides first, then add enough fiberfill through the lower face to keep the shape full without making it rock hard.

Round 18: [Sc in next stitch, dec] 6 times. (12)

Add a little more stuffing if the lower head needs it.

FO, leaving about a 24 inch tail for joining the head to the body. Do not close the remaining 12 stitch opening.

Set the head aside while you make the face pieces.

Crochet the Cream Reindeer Muzzle

Use cream or light tan yarn.

Ch 5.

Round 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in the next 3 chains. Work 3 sc in the last chain. Turn the foundation chain so you can work back along the opposite side. Sc in the next 2 unused loops and work 2 sc in the final loop. (10)

Round 2: Inc in the first stitch, sc in the next 2 stitches, inc in each of the next 3 stitches, sc in the next 2 stitches, inc in each of the last 2 stitches. (16)

FO, leaving about an 18 inch tail for sewing.

The muzzle should look like a shallow oval rather than a round disk. Leave it unstuffed. The stuffed head underneath gives it all the shape it needs.

Crochet the Reindeer Ears

Make 2 with medium brown yarn.

Ch 6.

Starting in the second chain from the hook, work:

Sl st in the next chain, sc in the next chain, hdc in the next chain, dc in the next chain, 5 dc in the last chain.

Now work back along the opposite side of the foundation chain:

Dc in the next unused loop, hdc in the next loop, sc in the next loop, sl st in the final loop.

FO, leaving about a 12 inch tail for sewing. Thread the tail onto your yarn needle and weave it down along the back edge of the ear to the rounded base, leaving the remaining tail free for assembly.

The narrow end is the ear tip. The rounded 5 dc end is the base you'll sew to the head.

If you want a little cream inside each ear without adding two more crocheted pieces, thread a short length of cream yarn onto your needle and make two or three small straight stitches through the center of the ear. Keep those stitches flat and secure the ends on the back.

Crochet the Soft Reindeer Antlers

Make 2 with cream yarn.

These antlers are flat, soft and completely wire-free. Each one has a main stem with two little branches.

Ch 9.

Starting in the second chain from the hook, sl st in the next 2 chains.

First branch: Ch 3. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sl st in each of the 2 branch chains. You're back at the main antler stem.

Sl st in the next 2 unused chains of the original ch-9.

Second branch: Ch 4. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sl st in each of the 3 branch chains. You're back at the main stem again.

Sl st in each of the remaining 4 unused chains of the original ch-9.

FO, leaving about a 12 inch tail for sewing.

Make the second antler the same way. When you position them on the head, simply flip one over so the two pieces mirror each other.

Don't stuff the antlers and don't add wire. Smooth them flat with your fingers and set them aside for assembly.

Crochet the Flat Floppy Reindeer Body

Switch back to the medium brown yarn.

The body starts at the neck and works downward. It widens through the upper torso, stays roomy through the middle and then narrows a little before the bottom is closed. There is no stuffing in this piece.

Ch 12. Join with a sl st in the first chain, being careful not to twist the chain.

Round 1: Sc in each chain around. (12)

Round 2: [Sc in next stitch, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (18)

Round 3: [Sc in next 2 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (24)

Round 4: [Sc in next 3 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (30)

Rounds 5 to 16: Sc in each stitch around. (30)

Round 17: [Sc in next 3 stitches, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rounds 18 and 19: Sc in each stitch around. (24)

Do not stuff the body.

After Round 19, leave the round marker in place and flatten the body with the beginning of the round at one side edge. Smooth the fabric so the 12 stitch neck opening is centered at the top and the opposite fold forms the other side edge.

Sc through both layers across the bottom opening, pairing one front stitch with one back stitch as you go. Work exactly 12 sc across the flattened edge.

FO and weave in the end.

The finished body should collapse easily when you pick it up. That's what we want here.

Crochet the Long Reindeer Arms and Dark Hooves

Make 2.

Start with dark brown yarn.

Round 1: Make 5 sc in a MR. (5)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (10)

Round 3: Sc in each stitch around. (10)

Add a very small pinch of fiberfill to the hoof if you want it to hold its rounded end. Keep it soft.

Change to medium brown yarn.

Round 4: [Sc in next 3 stitches, dec] 2 times. (8)

Rounds 5 to 18: Sc in each stitch around. (8)

Do not stuff the brown part of the arm.

Flatten the top opening. FO, leaving about an 18 inch tail for sewing.

Make the second arm the same way.

Each 8 stitch opening should flatten to 4 stitches across for assembly.

Crochet the Extra-Long Reindeer Legs and Hooves

Make 2.

Start with dark brown yarn.

Round 1: Make 5 sc in a MR. (5)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (10)

Rounds 3 and 4: Sc in each stitch around. (10)

Add a small pinch of fiberfill to the hoof. Don't pack it. The hoof should still flatten slightly between your fingers.

Change to medium brown yarn.

Round 5: [Sc in next 3 stitches, dec] 2 times. (8)

Rounds 6 to 22: Sc in each stitch around. (8)

Do not stuff the brown part of the leg.

Flatten the top opening. FO, leaving about an 18 inch tail for sewing.

Make the second leg the same way.

Before assembly, check all four limbs. The dark brown ends should be softly rounded, not stuffed into hard balls. If one looks too full, remove a little fiberfill while the top of the limb is still open.

Embroider the Reindeer Face and Standard Nose

Finish the face before you sew the head to the body. It's much easier to hold and turn the head while you're positioning the muzzle and embroidery.

Choose the smoothest side of the stuffed head as the front.

Center the cream muzzle across the lower front of the head. The top of the muzzle should sit at about Head Round 12, with the oval extending down across the tapered lower face.

Pin the muzzle in place and look at the head from the front before sewing. It should be centered between the two sides of the head, not pulled toward the beginning-of-round line.

Using the long cream tail, sew around the outside edge of the muzzle with small secure stitches. Keep the patch flat against the stuffed head. Don't add stuffing underneath it.

Eyes: Using black embroidery floss, make two small vertical satin stitch eyes above the muzzle. Place the centers about 1 1/2 inches apart and keep them level with each other.

Each eye should be about 3/8 inch tall. A few neat satin stitches are enough.

Standard nose: Using dark brown yarn or embroidery floss, make a small rounded satin stitch nose in the center of the cream muzzle. Keep it about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide.

Add a short straight stitch down from the nose if you want a little more definition around the muzzle. Keep the face simple.

Secure all embroidery ends inside the stuffed head.

Optional Red Nose for a Christmas Reindeer

If you want the red-nosed version, make that choice before you embroider the standard dark brown nose. You only need one nose.

Use red yarn or embroidery floss in the same center position on the cream muzzle.

Make the red nose a little rounder than the standard nose, about 3/4 inch across. Build it up with short satin stitches until the cream yarn underneath no longer shows through.

That's enough to give him the familiar red-nosed Christmas look without changing anything else in the pattern.

Assemble and Finish the Reindeer Snuggler Lovey

Lay the finished pieces out before you start sewing. You should have the stuffed head with muzzle and embroidered face, two ears, two antlers, the flat body, two arms and two legs.

1. Attach the ears.

Pin one ear to each upper side of the head with the rounded base spanning about Head Rounds 6 through 8. Angle the pointed ends slightly outward.

Check the head from the front before sewing. Both ears should begin at about the same height.

Using each ear's long yarn tail, sew the rounded base securely to the head. Leave the rest of the ear flat and free.

2. Attach the antlers.

Place one antler just inside each ear. The bottom of each antler should sit across approximately Head Rounds 4 through 6.

Flip one antler over so the branches mirror each other.

Pin both antlers before sewing. They don't need to stand perfectly upright. A little soft movement suits this snuggler.

Sew the bottom section of each antler firmly to the stuffed head. Go over the attachment a second time if needed, especially if the finished reindeer will be used as a child's toy.

3. Attach the arms.

Lay the unstuffed body flat.

Flatten each 8 stitch arm opening so it is 4 stitches wide.

Place one arm along each side of the body with those 4 top stitches spanning Body Rounds 4 through 7.

Using the long yarn tail, sew the four flattened arm stitches securely to the side edge at Body Rounds 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Repeat on the other side and check that the arms begin at the same height.

4. Attach the legs.

The closed lower edge of the body has 12 stitches across it.

Flatten each 8 stitch leg opening so it is 4 stitches wide.

Position the first leg across bottom stitches 2 through 5. Position the second leg across stitches 8 through 11.

That leaves stitches 6 and 7 between the legs and one stitch outside each leg.

Sew each leg securely to the bottom edge using its long yarn tail.

Before you finish the seams, let the body hang naturally. The legs should fall mostly downward instead of pulling toward the outside corners.

5. Join the head and body.

The bottom of the head has 12 stitches, and the body neck edge has 12 foundation-chain positions.

Center the face over the front of the flat body and pin the two openings together.

Using the long brown tail from the head, sew one head stitch to one foundation-chain position around the body neck edge. Continue all the way around for 12 matched joins.

Check the front after the first few stitches so the face stays centered over the body.

Once the head is firmly attached, secure the yarn and bury the tail inside the head or neck seam.

6. Final check.

Lay the reindeer flat and straighten the pieces gently.

The head should stay full while the body folds easily. The arms should hang long and loose, and the legs should be a little longer with the dark brown hooves at the ends.

Check the muzzle, ears, antlers, arms, legs, embroidered eyes and nose, and head seam for anything loose. Weave in every remaining yarn end and remove every straight pin and stitch marker.

If you want a reindeer that sits up like a traditional stuffed animal instead, try the free crochet reindeer pattern. This snuggler is deliberately much softer through the body and limbs.

You can also see the whitetail buck deer snuggler lovey if you'd rather make a woodland deer without the Christmas reindeer details.

Or browse the rest of the crochet baby snuggler patterns for more long-legged floppy characters.