Free Deer Crochet Pattern

This free deer amigurumi pattern is the final addition to my set of six woodland animal patterns! This sweet little deer might be my favorite pattern I’ve made to date. He’s the perfect project for fall.

I grew up in Southern Nevada, where we didn’t have seasons. It was either blazing hot and ugly, or mildly cold and ugly. 😂 I’ve lived in Utah since 2014, and I’m still not used to having 4 distinct seasons.

My husband laughs at me every time I marvel over the blooming tulips in the spring or the first snow fall of winter. It’s also great that I no longer burn myself when I put on my seat belt in the summer months.

But what really takes the (pumpkin-spiced) cake is the swath of colors when the leaves change in the fall. I love driving through the canyon and witnessing the bright reds, oranges and yellows. It takes my breath away.

A fun fact about this free deer amigurumi pattern: it can easily transform into Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! Simply make the antlers dark brown, and follow the alternate instructions for the nose.

Another note: some of you will probably find parts of this pattern tricky. I’ve put together a few video tutorials to help! You can find them in the Notes section of the pattern.

Make sure you’re subscribed to my Jess Huff YouTube Channel so you’ll receive a notification when the videos are available.

Rudolph the Reindeer Free Amigurumi Pattern

Dash the Deer

Height: 15″ standing
Skill level: Intermediate-Advanced
Ravelry: Dash the Deer

Oh deer! If you make this adorable woodland creature, you better be willing to part with him. Everyone will fawn over Dash the Deer.

Supplies

Yarn (acrylic, weight 4) – 277 total yards

Cream – 50 yards (I used Big Twist Value – Cream)
Light Brown – 196 yards (I used I Love This Yarn! – Toasted Almond)
Dark Brown – 31 yards (I used I Love This Yarn! – Brown)

Notes

Abbreviations

ch – chain
slst – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
BLO – crochet in the back loop only
*sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks(*) the indicated number of times. If the pattern doesn’t tell you how many times to repeat, then repeat the sequence until you reach the end of the round.

General Instructions

Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
This pattern is worked in one continuous spiral. Do not join rounds unless the pattern indicates otherwise (in other words, do not slip stitch and chain to start a new round).
Use a stitch marker to keep track of where one round ends and the next begins. I prefer to place my stitch marker in the last stitch of the round.

Recommended Sequence

Here are the steps to create your deer, in order:

Crochet the Nose & Head
Crochet the Border on Face
Crochet the Ears
Crochet the Antlers
Attach the Ears & Antlers to Head
Crochet the Body
Crochet the Arms
Crochet the Legs
Crochet the Belly
Crochet the Tail
Attach the Head to the Body
Attach the Legs to the Body
Attach the Arms to the Body
Attach the Tail to the Body
Attach the Belly to the Body
Make the hooves appear cloven

Crochet Video Tutorials

Assembly Tutorials

Size up hook on slip stitch BLO rounds
There are several rounds in this pattern that will instruct you to slip stitch around in the back loop only. Often in a later step, you’ll be crocheting into the exposed front loops created by slip stitching into the back loop.

Slip stitches often turn out tighter than regular single crochets and that can make them difficult to work into later on, so you may want to consider sizing up to a 4.0mm (G) hook for all slip-stitched BLO rounds.

Jogless BLO rounds & color changes
Be sure to check out my tutorial on how to create jogless BLO rounds. I also use this technique when changing colors before or after a BLO round.

The video explains how to “loop-under” and chain 1 before starting the round. If changing colors, simply complete the chain with the new color, and tighten the strands of both colors down before proceeding.

Stitch Markers for Antlers & Ears

Dash the Deer Free Amigurumi Pattern Stitch Markers

In round 21 of the Head, you will be inserting four stitch markers – two in Color 1, and two in Color 2.At a later step, the stitch markers in Color 1 will let you know where to attach your ears. Color 2 will let you know where to attach your antlers.

This photo shows what your head should look like after you’ve finished the Head, before sewing on the Antlers & Ears. The stitch markers should line up symmetrically above the eyes.

How to Indent the Eyes

Note: This video shows a unicorn, but the technique is the same for all of my patterns.

Cut a strand of yarn approximately 18″ long. Tie a large, secure knot in one end and thread the other end through your yarn needle.

Insert your needle through the back opening of the head and sew between the two spots where you’ll be placing your safety eyes (marked with strands of yarn).

Pull your strand of yarn taut, which will create indents. Fasten off with a knot and hide your yarn tail inside the head.

Alternate Nose for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Turn this deer into Santa’s favorite reindeer with this alternate nose:

Nose
With red yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. *sc 7, dec* [16]
05. sc 3, dec, sc 6, dec, sc 3 [14]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. Secure with a knot inside the piece and trim the tail short.

The “false” stitch you just created from your invisible finish *will* be included in your stitch count for round 5. We’ll be working into this stitch to start round 1 of the Head.

Head
With cream yarn, create a slip knot on your hook.

01. BLO: slst in the back loop of the invisible finish on the nose, then slst in the back loop of each st around [14]

Proceed with the remaining rounds of the Head as written in the pattern.

Instructions

Nose

With dark brown yarn:
01. Chain 5 start: ch5, inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 5sc in the last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain base, sc 2, 3sc in the last ch [14]
02. sc 8, sc and insert a new stitch marker into this stitch (the 9th stitch of the round), sc 5 [14]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. You do not need a stitch marker at the end of the round, but do keep in the new stitch marker from round 2. We will join a new color into this marked stitch.

Head

With cream yarn, create a slip knot on your hook.

01. BLO: slst in the back loop of the marked stitch from round 2 of the Nose, then slst in the back loop of each st around [14]

Insert your stitch marker in the last stitch of the round (the stitch from round 2 of the Nose no longer needs a marker). Fasten off and create an invisible finish.

The “false” stitch you just created from your invisible finish *will* be included in your stitch count for round 1. We’ll be working into this stitch to start round 2. With cream yarn, create a slip knot on your hook.

02. BLO: sc to create a standing start, sc 2, *inc* 2 times, sc 5, *inc* 2 times, sc 2 [18]
03. *sc 5, inc* [21]
04. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 2 times, sc 3 [24]
05. *sc 7, inc* [27]
06. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 2 times, sc 4 [30]
07. sc in each st around [30]
08. sc 12, *inc, inc, sc* 3 times, sc 9 [36]
09. sc 13, *sc, inc* 6 times, sc 11 [42]

In the next round we'll be inserting two stitch markers. These marked stitches are where the eyes should be placed at a later step. Make sure you can differentiate them from the marker you use to track the beginning/end of your rounds.

10. sc 3, inc, sc 6, inc, sc 3, sc and insert a stitch marker into this stitch (this is the 17th stitch from the beginning of the round), sc 2, *inc, sc 6* 2 times, inc and insert a stitch marker into the first stitch of the inc (this is the 36th stitch from the beginning of the round), sc 6, inc, sc 3 [48]

11. *sc 7, inc* [54]
12. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
13. sc in each st around [60]

Now sc 4 additional stitches. This ensures your color join will be on the bottom of the head. These stitches are not included in the stitch count for round 13 nor for round 14. Move your stitch marker to the last of the 4 additional stitches and continue on with round 14 as normal.

Switch to light brown yarn:
14. BLO: slst in each st around [60]
15. BLO: sc in each st around [60]
16 – 20. sc in each st around [60]

Before proceeding with round 21, make sure you've read "Stitch Markers for Antlers & Ears" in the Notes section.

21. sc 20, sc and insert stitch marker Color 1 into this stitch (this is the 21st st from the beginning of the round), sc 3, sc and insert stitch marker Color 2 into this stitch (this is the 25th st from the beginning of the round), sc 9, sc and insert stitch marker Color 2 into this stitch (this is the 35th st from the beginning of the round), sc 3, sc and insert stitch marker Color 1 into this stitch (this is the 39th st from the beginning of the round), sc 21 [60]
22 – 24. sc in each st around [60]
25. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
26. *sc 7, dec* [48]
27. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
28. *sc 5, dec* [36]
29. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]

Stuff head ¾ full and create indents for the eyes. See “How to indent the eyes” in the Notes section of the pattern. Insert your safety eyes and secure the backings.

30. *sc 3, dec* [24]
31. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
32. *sc, dec* [12]

Finish stuffing.

33. *dec* [6]

Cut working yarn and close with an ultimate finish.

Border on Face

With light brown yarn:
01. starting in the first light brown front loop of round 15 on the Head (where your color join is), slst in each of the light brown front loops around [60]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. Use a yarn needle to hide the tail inside the head.

Ears (make 2)

With light brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* [15]
05. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 2 times, sc 2 [18]
06. *sc 5, inc* [21]
07. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 2 times, sc 3 [24]
08 – 09. sc in each st around [24]
10. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 2 times, sc 3 [21]
11. *sc 5, dec* [18]
12. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 2 times, sc 2 [15]
13. *sc 3, dec* [12]
14. sc in each st around [12]

Fasten off and leave an 18" tail for sewing. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.

Fold your slip-stitched edge in half again and attach the ends together so the base of the ear forms a circle (see the photos of the finished deer for reference).

Antlers – Short Branch (make 2)

With cream yarn:
01. start 4 sc into a magic ring [4]
02. inc in each st around [8]
03 – 04. sc in each st around [8]

Fasten off, leaving a tail of about 8 inches.

Antlers – Long Branch (make 2)

With cream yarn:
01. start 4 sc into a magic ring [4]
02. inc in each st around [8]
03 – 07. sc in each st around [8]

Do not fasten off. In round 8 below, we'll be joining together our short & long antler branches into one continuous round. That round will have 16 total stitches.

08. Starting in the first st of the final round (round 4) of the Short Branch, sc in each st around. Do not fasten off. Starting in the first st of the last round you completed on the Long Branch (round 7), sc in each st around [16]

09. *dec* 4 times, sc 8 [12]
10. *dec* 2 times, sc 8 [10]
11. *dec* 2 times, sc 6 [8]

Stuff the branches of the antlers.

12 – 13. sc in each st around [8]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish, leaving a 12” tail for sewing. Finish stuffing. Use a yarn needle and the tail from the Short Branch to close up the hole where the two branches join together.

Attach Ears & Antlers to Head

At this point you should have 4 marked stitches in 2 different colors on the head. The outer markers (Color 1) are where you should place the ears. The inner markers (Color 2) are where you should place the antlers. See "Stitch Markers for Antlers & Ears" in the Notes section for more details.

Thread the tail of your piece (ear or antler) through a yarn needle. Align the piece over its corresponding marked stitch on the head. Remove the stitch marker and sew on the piece. Secure with a knot, then hide the remaining tail inside the head.

Body

With light brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
07. *sc 5, inc* [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. *sc 7, inc* [54]
10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
11 – 17. sc in each st around [60]
18. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
19. sc in each st around [54]
20. *sc 7, dec* [48]
21. sc in each st around [48]
22. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
23 – 24. sc in each st around [42]
25. *sc 5, dec* [36]
26 – 27. sc in each st around [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29 – 30. sc in each st around [30]
31. *sc 3, dec* [24]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. Leave an 18" tail for sewing. Stuff firmly with fiber fill.

Arms (make 2)

With dark brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. BLO: sc in each st around [24]
06 – 07. sc in each st around [24]

Switch to light brown yarn:
08. sc in each st around [24]
09. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
10. sc in each st around [23]
11. sc 21, dec [22]
12. sc in each st around [22]
13. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
14. sc in each st around [21]
15. sc 19, dec [20]
16. sc in each st around [20]
17. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
18. sc in each st around [19]
19. sc 17, dec [18]
20. sc in each st around [18]
21. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
22. sc in each st around [17]
23. sc 15, dec [16]
24 – 25. sc in each st around [16]
26. *sc 2, dec* [12]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. Leave an 18" tail for sewing. Stuff firmly with fiber fill. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.

Legs (make 2)

With dark brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. BLO: sc in each st around [30]
07 – 08. sc in each st around [30]

Switch to light brown yarn:
09. sc in each st around [30]
10. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]
11. sc 27, dec [28]
12. sc 13, dec, sc 13 [27]
13. sc 25, dec [26]
14. sc 12, dec, sc 12 [25]
15. sc 23, dec [24]
16. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
17. sc 21, dec [22]
18. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
19. sc 19, dec [20]
20. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
21. sc 17, dec [18]
22. *sc 7, dec* [16]
23. *sc 2, dec* [12]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. Leave an 18" tail for sewing. Stuff firmly with fiber fill. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.

Belly

With cream yarn:
01. Chain 5 start: ch5, inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 5sc in the last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain base, sc 2, 3sc in the last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc [26]
04. inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times, inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times [32]
05. inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc, inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc [38]
06. inc, sc 12, *inc, sc 2* 2 times, inc, sc 12, *inc, sc 2* 2 times [44]
07. inc, sc 14, inc, sc 3, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 14, inc, sc 3, inc, sc 2 [50]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. Leave a 24" tail for sewing.

Tail – Bottom Side

With cream yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. Weave the tail into the wrong side of the work and secure with a knot, then trim off excess.

Tail – Top Side

With light brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]

Fasten off and create an invisible finish. Weave the tail into the wrong side of the work and secure with a knot, then trim off excess.

Finishing the Tail

The tail is made by crocheting a cream-colored circle and a light brown-colored circle. Next, put the wrong sides together and attach them by single crocheting around (see my Deer Tail video tutorial).

This sc round should be done through both loops of each light brown stitch and only the front loop of each cream stitch with the light brown side facing up.

Once you’ve crocheted around, do not fasten off. Fold the tail in half like a taco. We’re going to partially slip-stitch it closed: slst 4 times to attach the first four stitches in the round with the last four stitches in the round.

Fasten off. Using a yarn needle, thread the tail under the slip stitches and pull it through so it’s ready to be attached to the body.