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Pillow Reindeer Pattern

Pillow Reindeer Pattern
4.3★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.2K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🏡

Cozy Accent

A warm touch for your space that transforms ordinary corners into inviting nooks filled with handmade charm.

About This Pillow Reindeer Pattern

This pattern creates a soft, square reindeer pillow crocheted in super bulky velvet yarn with colorwork for the face. You will crochet the pillow body, ears, nose, legs, arms and antlers, then sew and embroider the final details. The design includes step-by-step rounds and photos to help you place eyes, ears and motifs accurately.

Pillow Reindeer Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pillow measures approximately 30x35 cm including antlers using the recommended yarn and hook size. The pattern uses single crochet rounds and small amigurumi parts for a plush, tactile finish.

Why You'll Love This Pillow Reindeer Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns simple single crochet stitches into a wonderfully expressive reindeer face with textured velvet yarn. I enjoy how the color changes create a gentle, natural mask for the face and how the small amigurumi pieces (nose, antlers, legs) give the pillow personality. I also love that it makes a cozy, tactile home accent and a thoughtful handmade gift. The assembly and embroidery let me personalise each pillow, making every finished piece unique.

Pillow Reindeer Pattern step 1 - construction progress Pillow Reindeer Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Pillow Reindeer Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Pillow Reindeer Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how simple color changes transform the face; try swapping beige and brown for grey and cream for a woodland look.

You can make the pillow larger or smaller by changing yarn weight and hook size — use bulky yarn with a larger hook to get a chunky, oversized cushion.

For a washable cover, crochet two panels and stitch or zipper them together to create a removable pillowcase instead of sewing the seams closed permanently.

Replace loop-back button eyes with safety eyes or embroidered eyes for a child-safe version; use felt or embroidered highlights for softer details.

Add small crocheted accessories like a tiny scarf or bow that can be sewn or buttoned on and removed for seasonal styling.

I often personalize the embroidery on the forehead — try heart shapes or initials instead of the checkmarks to make a custom gift.

For a patchwork effect, alternate more colors in the face area and practice color carries or intarsia to keep strands tidy between color blocks.

Try using textured stitches such as puff or bobble for the pillow body instead of plain single crochet to increase tactile interest and depth.

If you want poseable antlers, insert a thin wire inside the antlers before stuffing and secure both ends to keep shape and allow gentle bending.

Experiment with different button sizes or bead accents for eyes and replace the loop-back buttons with stitched buttons for a vintage look.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping to sew the top or bottom seams without leaving a long tail; leave a long yarn tail for sewing and secure seams neatly to avoid openings when stuffing. ✗ Attaching eyes after stuffing without planning placement; insert or mark eye placement between rounds 17 and 18 before final stuffing to get the correct height and spacing. ✗ Overstuffing the pillow and distorting corners; stuff gradually and especially fill corners carefully to keep a square shape without bulging. ✗ Not securing color changes and ends properly during the face colorwork; carry and weave color ends or hide them inside rows to avoid loose threads and bumps. ✗ Forgetting to fold and crochet ear pieces together neatly; fold both ear pieces and crochet through both layers to create a clean edge and hide the inner raw edges.

Pillow Reindeer Pattern

Make a charming Pillow Reindeer to bring handmade warmth to your home. This cozy cushion features soft velvet yarn, adorable antlers, ears, embroidered details and full assembly instructions to guide you. You will love how the textured velvet stitch and colorwork create a sweet reindeer face that brightens any room. Perfect as a gift or a seasonal accent for nursery, bedroom or living room.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Pillow Reindeer Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Super Bulky / Super Chunky (14ply) velvet yarn - Himalaya Dolphin Baby or YarnArt Dolce
  • 02
    Beige color - approximately 2 skeins
  • 03
    Brown color - approximately 1 skein
  • 04
    White color - less than 1 skein
  • 05
    Small amount of black yarn for eyelids/embroidery
  • 06
    Fiberfill (toy stuffing material) - enough to fill pillow, ears, nose, antlers and limbs

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.5 mm (you can use 4.0 mm)
  • 02
    Loop back black buttons for eyes, diameter 22-24 mm (2 pieces)
  • 03
    Needle with a wide eye for sewing pieces and embroidery
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Yarn needle for weaving ends and sewing pieces
  • 06
    Stitch markers (optional)
  • 07
    Pins for assembly (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Pillow :

Info :

Crochet with beige yarn.

Rnd 1 :

ch90

Rnd 2 :

connect in a circle with the first stitch: 1 sc (it is the first stitch of a new round) and crochet further 89 sc {90}

Rnd 3 – 19 :

90 sc

Info :

Next, alternate colors:

Rnd 20 :

in beige: 18 sc, in brown: 8 sc, in beige: 64 sc {90}

Rnd 21 :

in beige: 18 sc, in brown: 8 sc, in beige: 64 sc {90}

Rnd 22 :

in beige: 17 sc, in brown: 10 sc, in beige: 63 sc {90}

Rnd 23 :

in beige: 16 sc, in brown: 12 sc, in beige: 60 sc, in brown: 1 sc, in beige: 1 sc {90}

Rnd 24 :

in beige: 15 sc, in brown: 14 sc, in beige: 16 sc, in brown: 1 sc, in beige: 42 sc, in brown: 2 sc {90}

Rnd 25 :

in beige: 14 sc, in brown: 16 sc, in beige: 14 sc, in brown: 2 sc, in beige: 42 sc, in brown: 2 sc {90}

Rnd 26 :

in brown: 1 sc, in beige: 12 sc, in brown: 19 sc, in beige: 11 sc, in brown: 3 sc, in beige: 42 sc, in brown: 2 sc {90}

Rnd 27 :

in brown: 2 sc, in beige: 10 sc, in brown: 21 sc, in beige: 9 sc, in brown: 4 sc, in beige: 42 sc, in brown: 2 sc {90}

Rnd 28 – 37 :

(10 Rounds) in brown: 46 sc, in beige: 42 sc, in brown: 2 sc {90}

Info :

Leave a long yarn tail for sewing and sew up the top of the pillow. Fasten off, hide the yarn end inside.

Info :

If you secure eyes before stuffing the pillow, insert them between rounds 17 and 18, counting from the bottom (the distance between the eyes is 12-13 sc). In the description, sewing on eyes will be lower.

Info :

Stuff the pillow, especially the corners. Sew up the bottom of the pillow, fasten off, hide it inside.

— Ears (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet with beige yarn.

Row 1 :

ch13

Row 2 :

from the second chain on the hook: 11 sc, 3 sc in the last chain, on the other side of the chain: 12 sc, ch1, turn

Row 3 :

from the second stitch on the hook: 13 sc, 3 sc in 1 stitch, 12 sc, ch1, turn

Row 4 :

from the second stitch on the hook: 14 sc, 3 sc in 1 stitch, 13 sc

Info :

Fasten off, cut the yarn.

Info :

Crochet the second piece with brown yarn for the edge and then join both pieces to create a two-color ear.

Info :

Crochet with brown yarn (outer ear piece):

Row 1 :

ch13

Row 2 :

from the second stitch on the hook: 11 sc, 3 sc in the last chain, on the other side of the chain: 12 sc, ch1, turn

Row 3 :

from the second stitch on the hook: 13 sc, 3 sc in 1 stitch, 12 sc, ch1, turn

Row 4 :

from the second stitch on the hook: 14 sc, 3 sc in 1 stitch, 13 sc, ch1

Info :

Do not cut the yarn. Fold both pieces together and crochet through both pieces with brown yarn. Hide the ends inside.

Row 4 (joined) :

15 sc, 3 sc in 1 stitch, 14 sc

Info :

Leave a long yarn end for sewing. Fold the bottom of the ear in half and sew up the edges. Sew the ears to the upper corners of the pillow. Fix the thread and hide inside.

— Nose :

Info :

Crochet with brown and beige yarn, alternating colors.

Rnd 1 :

in brown: 6 sc in an amigurumi ring {6}

Rnd 2 :

in beige: 3 inc, in brown: 3 inc {12}

Rnd 3 :

in beige: (1 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times, in brown: 6 sc {15}

Rnd 4 :

in beige: (2 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times, in brown: (1 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times {21}

Rnd 5 :

in beige: (3 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times, in brown: (2 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times {27}

Rnd 6 :

in beige: (4 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times, in brown: (3 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times {33}

Rnd 7 :

in beige: (5 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times, in brown: (4 sc, inc) – repeat 3 times {39}

Info :

Stuff the nose, sew it between rounds 10 and 18 of the pillow, leave a small hole to facilitate embroidering and fixing the thread.

Info :

Sew on the eyes between rounds 17 and 18 (distance between eyes 12-13 sc). Take black yarn and embroider the nose and eyelids. With beige yarn embroider checkmarks on the forehead. Sew up any holes and hide threads inside.

— Legs (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet with brown yarn.

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in an amigurumi ring {6}

Rnd 2 :

(inc) – repeat 6 times {12}

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) – repeat 6 times {18}

Rnd 4 :

18 sc

Info :

Leave a long yarn end for sewing.

— Arms (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet with brown yarn.

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in an amigurumi ring {6}

Rnd 2 :

(inc) – repeat 6 times {12}

Rnd 3 :

12 sc

Info :

Leave a long yarn end for sewing.

— Antlers (make 2) :

Info :

Crochet with white yarn.

Piece 1 - Rnd 1 :

6 sc in an amigurumi ring {6}

Piece 1 - Rnd 2 :

(inc) – repeat 6 times {12}

Piece 1 - Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) – repeat 6 times {18}

Piece 1 - Rnd 4 – 7 :

(4 rounds) 18 sc

Info :

Do not fasten off on the piece 1, leave the loop open and leave a long tail for sewing.

Piece 2 - Rnd 1 :

6 sc in an amigurumi ring {6}

Piece 2 - Rnd 2 :

(inc) – repeat 6 times {12}

Piece 2 - Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) – repeat 6 times {18}

Piece 2 - Rnd 4 – 5 :

(2 rounds) 18 sc

Info :

Do not cut the yarn, continue crocheting, connecting both pieces:

Joined Rnd 1 :

Along piece 1: 4 sc (crochet the first stitch with 2 loops of both pieces), dec, 2 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec. Along piece 2: 4 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 3 sc, dec, 1 sc, dec {28}

Joined Rnd 2 :

(2 sc, dec) – repeat 7 times {21}

Joined Rnd 3 :

11 sc, dec, 6 sc, dec {19}

Joined Rnd 4 – 5 :

19 sc

Info :

Leave a long yarn end for sewing. Stuff the antlers and sew them to the top of the pillow.

Info :

Sew on the arms between rounds 7 and 10, stuff them tightly and sew on the legs. Fix the threads and hide them inside the pillow.

— Assembly & Finishing :

Info :

Insert or sew eyes between rounds 17 and 18 (distance 12-13 sc). Sew the nose between rounds 10 and 18 and embroider eyelids and nose with black yarn. Embroider beige checkmarks on the forehead. Sew ears to upper corners and antlers to the top. Hide all yarn ends inside and shape the pillow.

Assembly Instructions

  • Leave a long yarn tail after completing the pillow top and use it to sew the top seam securely, then fasten off and hide the tail inside.
  • Insert or secure the loop-back black buttons (eyes) between rounds 17 and 18, spacing them about 12-13 sc apart, then stuff the pillow and close the bottom seam.
  • Fold and sew the ears by aligning inner beige and outer brown pieces, crochet both layers together along the edge, fold the bottom and sew the seam, then attach each ear to the upper corners of the pillow and hide the threads.
  • Sew the stuffed nose between rounds 10 and 18, leave a small hole to comfortably embroider the nose and eyelids, then close the hole and hide the thread.
  • Stuff the antlers firmly, sew them to the top of the pillow centered above the forehead area, and secure the threads inside to prevent rotation.
  • Sew the arms between rounds 7 and 10 and the legs to the bottom corners; stuff firmly, secure threads and weave ends inside the pillow for a neat finish.

Important Notes

  • 💡Insert eyes before final stuffing by placing them between rounds 17 and 18 to ensure correct height and symmetry.
  • 💡Stuff corners carefully and gradually to maintain the square pillow shape without overfilling or distorting seams.
  • 💡Use a long yarn tail when closing the top and bottom seams so you can sew the opening securely and hide the ends inside.
  • 💡When embroidering eyelids and nose use a small stitch and fix thread ends inside the nose or pillow to prevent loose embroidery threads showing on the outside.

This cozy Pillow Reindeer will make a sweet handmade accent for your home, blending soft velvet texture with charming facial details. It is the perfect gift for friends, family, or a seasonal touch for your living room or nursery. Enjoy the satisfying mix of simple rounds and cute amigurumi parts that make this project truly special. 🧶🎁

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished pillow measures approximately 30x35 cm including antlers when using the recommended super bulky velvet yarn and a 3.5 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but the final size and texture will change; adjust your hook size accordingly and expect proportions of the face and placement of eyes to shift.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes you are comfortable with single crochet in rounds, increases and decreases, joining seams and basic amigurumi shaping.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this pillow in 5-7 hours, though time may vary depending on experience and how many small pieces you make and assemble.