Free Reindeer Amigurumi Pattern
Rudy the Reindeer
Rudy the Reindeer is a free amigurumi crochet pattern ideal for Christmas crocheting. Rudy has to be my personal favourite crochet pattern that I’ve designed so far, and I hope you enjoy crocheting him as much as I did!
This amigurumi crochet pattern is ideal for intermediate crocheters and the pattern is written in US terms in English only.
If you have any questions at all while crocheting, please feel free to get in touch with me on Instagram or Facebook. I’d also absolutely love to see your makes if you decide to crochet Rudy. You can share them with me on social media by tagging me @cillacrochets and by using the hashtag #CrochetRudyTheReindeer. I hope you have fun!
Prefer the PDF?
While Rudy’s full crochet pattern is available below, if you’d prefer to work from a PDF pattern or you’d simply like to support me and my work, head to the shop links below. Rudy’s PDF pattern also includes more photos throughout, making his pattern more manageable for less experienced crocheters too.
Amigurumi Pattern Information
Materials needed
Here’s a list of what you’ll need to crochet Rudy the Reindeer:
Yarn: Aran / Worsted Weight Yarn in the following colours:
A - Light Brown (50 grams = 85 m/ 93 yds)
B - Dark Brown (17 grams = 29 m/ 32 yds)
C - Purple (22 grams = 37.5 m/ 41 yds)
D - Red (2 grams = 3.5 m/ 4 yds)
Crochet hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4)
Other materials:
Stuffing
Needle
Scissors
Pins
Stitch marker
Safety eyes 8 mm (Option 1)
Black embroidery thread (Option 2 - if you’d prefer to embroider the eyes)
Yarn Recommendation
I used Rico Designs Creative Cotton Aran (50g = 85 m / 93 yds per ball). However, you can use any worsted weight yarn you prefer.
Gauge
Gauge is not required for this pattern, however for reference my gauge was as follows:
11 sc stitches on 5 cm / 1.96 "
12 rows on 5 cm / 1.96 "
Amigurumi Size
I used the yarn above with a 3.5 mm (US E/4) hook and the amigurumi turned out to be 28 cm / 11 " high from the bottom of Rudy's feet to the top of his antlers. Please note: I do tend to crochet quite tightly, so your Rudy may turn out larger.
Crochet Pattern Abbreviations
This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
R# - Row/round number
st - Stitch
ch - Chain
sl st - Slip stitch
mc - Magic circle
sc - Single crochet
inc - Increase
dec - Decrease
FLO - Front loop only
[...] x ... - Repeat the sequence of stitches in brackets x-times
(...) - Total number of stitches at the end of each row/round
Additional Crochet Pattern Notes & Top Tips
Yarn: The yarn choice is completely up to you, and you can change the yarn weight, material, and colours based on your own personal preference. Just be aware that the weight of your yarn may impact the hook size you need to use and also the size of your final make.
Hook size: I recommend using a smaller hook size than recommended on the yarn label. This will stop the stuffing appearing through your stitches.
Eyes: In this pattern you have the choice of using safety eyes or embroidered eyes. Instructions are included for both within the PDF pattern (links above). Please note that using safety eyes is a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
Working in rounds: All parts within this pattern are worked in continuous rounds.
Stitch marker: Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep track of the number of stitches.
Stuffing: Unless otherwise stated, stuff all amigurumi parts firmly as you crochet
Copyright Notice: This pattern cannot be reproduced and is for personal use only. However you’re more than welcome to sell your creations on a small scale giving credit to the pattern designer. Please refer to the copyright notice at the bottom of this page.
Rudy the Reindeer Crochet Pattern
Head
Using Colour A yarn (light brown).
Stuff this piece.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
R9 - 20: sc around (48) - 12 rounds
Insert safety eyes now between R11 & R12 of the head with 2 sts in between. Start stuffing head.
R21: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)
R22: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
R23: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
R24: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
R25: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R26: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
Finish stuffing head firmly.
R27: [dec] x 6 (6)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Weave yarn tail through FLO of remaining 6 sc & pull tight to close. Sew remaining yarn tail into the head to hide.
Nose
Using Colour D yarn (red).
Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [3 sc in next st, 2 sc] x 2 (10)
R3: [2 inc, 3 sc] x 2, sl st to first sc (14)
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Mouth
Using Colour A yarn (light brown).
Do not stuff. This piece will be stuffed during assembly.
Start: Ch 7
Tip: Place a stitch marker in your first sc in the next round to make it easier to start R2.
R1: In 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next 5 sts, 3 sc in last ch, turn to crochet along other side of ch, 4 sc, inc (14)
R2: inc, 5 sc, 2 inc, 5 sc, inc (18)
R3: 2 inc, 6 sc, 3 inc, 6 sc, inc (24)
R4 - 7: sc around (24) - 4 rounds
Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Ears (Make 2)
Using Colour A yarn (light brown).
Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 4 sc (4)
R2: [inc] x 4 (8)
R3: [sc, inc] x 4 (12)
R4: sc around (12)
R5: [2 sc, inc] x 4 (16)
R6: sc around (16)
R7: [3 sc, inc] x 4 (20)
R8 - 10: sc around (20) - 3 rounds
Pinch the sides of the ear together for R11.
R11: 4 sc in both sides of ear to join the sides together (joining 4 sc together with each of these sts), leaving 1 sc at the end unworked (4)
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Fasten off. This yarn tail will be used for assembly. Crochet two ears.
Large Antler (Make 2)
Using Colour B yarn (dark brown).
Stuff this piece.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3 - 9: sc around (9) - 7 rounds
Start stuffing.
The next rounds will create the curved shape of the antlers.
R10: Inc, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc (9)
R11: sc around (9)
R12: Inc, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc (9)
R13: sc around (9)
R14: inc, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc (9)
R15: sc around (9)
Cut yarn leaving a long yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Finish stuffing piece firmly.
You may need to bend the antler into shape using your hands.
Crochet two large antlers.
Small Antler (Make 2)
Using Colour B yarn (dark brown).
Stuff this piece.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3 - 4: sc around (9) - 2 rounds
Start stuffing.
The next rounds will create the curved shape of the antlers.
R5: inc, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc (9)
R6: sc around (9)
R7: inc, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc (9)
R8: sc around (9)
Cut yarn leaving a long yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Finish stuffing this piece firmly.
You may need to bend the antler into shape using your hands.
Crochet two small antlers.
Body
Using Colour A yarn (light brown).
Stuff this piece.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8 - 9: sc around (42) - 2 rounds
Change to Colour C Yarn (Purple).
R10 - 19: sc around (42) - 10 rounds
R20: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
Start stuffing.
R21: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
R22: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
R23: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
Finish stuffing firmly. Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing and fasten off.
Arms (Make 2)
Using Colour A yarn (light brown).
Stuff this piece.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4 - 6: sc around (18) - 3 rounds
Change to Colour C Yarn (Purple).
R7 - 17: sc around (18) - 11 rounds
R18: Hold sides together and work 8 sc into both sides to join, leaving two sts unworked (8) - see image 11
Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing, and fasten off.
Crochet two arms.
Legs (Make 2)
Using Colour B yarn (dark brown).
Start: Ch 6
Tip: Insert a stitch marker into your first sc in the next round to make starting R2 easier.
R1: In 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next 4 sts, 3 sc in last ch, turn to crochet along other side of ch, 3 sc, inc in last ch (12)
R2: [inc, sc] x 6 (18)
R3 - 5: sc around (18) - 3 rounds
R6: 3 sc, [dec, sc] x 4, 3 sc (14)
Lightly stuff the foot. Do not continue to stuff the leg.
R7: 1 sc, [dec] x 6, 1 sc (8)
Change to Colour A yarn (light brown).
R8 - 22: sc around (8) - 15 rounds
Cut yarn leaving a long yarn tail for sewing and fasten off. Crochet two legs.
Adding Shoelaces
To add shoelaces to the reindeer shoes, use approximately 30 cm / 12 " of Colour B (dark brown) yarn.
Between R7 - 8 and in the centre of the foot, using a needle weave your needle through skipping 2 sts.
Pull one side of the yarn thread through, so you have a piece of yarn on either side of the foot.
To finish tie a double knotted bow using both yarn ends.
Do this for both feet.
Assembly Instructions for Rudy the Reindeer
Step 1: Sew mouth to head
Sew mouth to the middle of the head just below the eyes. The top of the mouth sits between R13 &14 of the head. The bottom of the mouth sits between R20 & R21. Fill mouth with stuffing when you have sewn half way across.
Step 2: Sew nose to mouth
Sew nose to the mouth which should be centred with the eyes. The top of the nose sits at the top of the mouth between R4 & 5. The bottom of the nose sits between R1 & 2 of the mouth (just above the starting ch). Do not stuff
Step 3: Sew small antler to large antler
Sew the small antler to the large antler. The small antler should sit on the inside of where the large antler curves between R6 & R11. The small antler should curve inwards towards the top of the large antler.
Step 4: Sew antlers to head
Sew Antlers to either side of the head between R5 & R9.
Step 5: Sew ears to head
Sew ears below the antlers between R10 & R11 of the head with approximately 20 sts between each ear at the front. Be careful to ensure the open part of the ear is facing the front.
Step 6: Sew body to head
Sew body between R23 & R24 of the head.
Step 7: Sew legs to body
Sew legs between R3 & R6 of the body. The legs should be slightly towards the front of the body (not centred with the starting magic circle).
Step 8: Sew arms to body
Sew arms between R21 & R22 of the body with approximately 6 sts between the front of the arms.
Eye Embroidery Instructions (If Applicable)
Using black embroidery thread, embroider two eyes onto your Rudy the Reindeer. The image here shows you the pin placement I used to embroider my reindeer eyes.
Congratulations, you have finished crocheting Rudy the Reindeer!
Don’t forget you can share your makes with the community by using the hashtag #CrochetRudyTheReindeer & by tagging me on social media @cillacrochets.
I hope you had fun!
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
© 2021 Cilla Crochets. Cilla Richards - All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only.
The pattern (or parts of it) may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared, or posted (for sale or for free) over the internet or offline.
You can sell items made from this pattern if they are handmade by yourself in a limited number and you give credit to the designer.
Please add the following text to your item description for any item designed by Cilla Crochets/Cilla Richards that you are selling:
“This product is handmade by [your name] from a design and pattern by Cilla Richards at Cilla Crochets. See www.cillacrochets.com for more information.”
