Free Crochet Reindeer Baubles (Christmas Pattern)

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Crochet some adorable Reindeer Baubles for your Christmas tree, or as little festive gifts, with this free crochet pattern!

These Reindeer Baubles are quick and easy to crochet, making them perfect as classroom or workplace gifts, or Christmas craft stall fillers.

These would look fantastic with my other free Christmas tree decorations, too! Check out my Snowman Baubles, Gingerbread Cookie People, Robin Baubles, Santa Baubles, and Gingerbread Smilie Faces.

Free Crochet Reindeer Ornament Pattern

A red nosed reindeer bauble hanging on a Christmas tree

Using the recommended chunky/bulky weight yarn, the finished baubles measure approximately 4.5″/11.5cm wide (ear tip to ear tip), and approximately 4”/10cm tall (antler tip to base) with a head diameter of 2.5″/6cm.

You can use other yarn weights and types, adjusting your hook sizes to suit, but this will change the finished size.

As a guide, using Aran/Worsted weight yarn and a 4mm and 3mm hook will reduce all dimensions by approximately half an inch.

How To Crochet A Christmas Tree Reindeer Bauble

The full Reindeer Bauble crochet pattern is free-to-view below. Keep scrolling to get started, or Pin it to save it for later!

The free reindeer baubles Christmas crochet pattern Pinterest graphic

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All crochet patterns from Hooked On Patterns are written using US crochet terms.


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Copyright: This Free Reindeer Baubles crochet pattern was written, designed, and copyright held by Ling Ryan/Hooked On Patterns. You are not permitted to copy, share, edit, upload or redistribute this pattern in any way, this includes making video tutorials or translating into other languages. Personal use only. You may sell products you have personally crocheted from using this pattern. Please credit Hooked On Patterns if you do sell. By using this page/crochet pattern you are agreeing to all T&Cs.

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What You’ll Need to Make A Reindeer Bauble

I have used Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky acrylic yarn for my reindeer baubles. You can use any yarn weight or type, adjusting your hook sizes to suit.

You only need a small amount of each colour: Approximately 25yds of the main Light Brown colour, 10yds of Beige for the muzzle and inner ears, 5yds of Dark Brown for the antlers, and less than 1 yard of Black for the eyes and Red or Dark Brown for the nose.

For my chunky/bulky #5 weight yarn, I have used a 5mm crochet hook for the main reindeer pieces and a 4mm hook for the antlers.

If you are substituting for other yarn weights, keep to the same yarn weight throughout and use a hook 1 size smaller than recommended for your yarn and a hook 2 sizes smaller for the antlers.

You will also need a stitch marker, some toy stuffing (Polyester fibrefill), some 3mm ribbon for a hanging loop (or you can just use yarn), a yarn needle, and scissors.

Crochet Stitches & Terms Used For Reindeer Baubles

This pattern is written using US crochet terms. Please refer to my Crochet Terms Conversion Chart for help with translating into UK terms.

(mr) Magic Ring, (ch) Chain, (ch sp) Chain Space, (sl st) Slip Stitch, (sc) Single Crochet, (hdc) Half Double Crochet, (inc) Increase – 2sc in the same stitch, (dec) Decrease (invisible) – hook through the front loops only of the next 2 stitches and work a sc.

Back bumps of chains – For the antlers, we’ll be working into the back bumps of chains. These bumps run in a straight line behind the Vs of chain stitches.

Invisible join – See pattern notes below.

Join with a sc – Starting with a slip knot on hook, insert hook into the joining stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on hook to make a sc stitch.

Numbers shown in ( ) at the end of each row/round indicates the number of stitches you should have at the end of that row/round.

To help you read this pattern, the commas represent each stitch or the number of stitches after x. For example: “sc, inc,” would mean sc into next st, increase (2sc) in the following st. Or “hdc x3, 2hdc,” would mean hdc into each of the next 3 stitches, followed by 2 hdc in the following st.

Pattern Notes for Crocheting Christmas Reindeer Baubles

Gauge:

Exact gauge is not important, just try to keep your stitches compact and consistent.

To keep our stitches tight we’ll be using a hook size smaller than recommended for the yarn for the main reindeer pieces, and 2 sizes smaller for the antlers to make them stiffer.

For my Chunky weight yarn, I’ll be using a 5mm hook for the reindeer and 4mm hook for the antlers. If you’re using Worsted weight yarn, use a 4mm and 3mm hook instead.

Reindeer Baubles construction:

We will start with crocheting the ears and antlers, and then crochet the head, attaching the pieces as we work.

Working in blended joined rounds:

We’ll be working in joined rounds to keep everything balanced, using a technique to blend in our joins. To do this, we’ll ch1 at the beginning of rounds, skip our first stitch of the round, and work it at the end of the round over the ch1 instead.

A 4 part instructional image showing how to work blended joined rounds

Please pay attention to the method, placement of stitches, and positioning to ensure you get the best results for your finished reindeer bauble. Substituting with continuous rounds or working increases in different positions may result in an unbalanced reindeer or a wonky face.

Invisible join finishing method:

When switching colours after working the muzzle, we’ll be finishing with an invisible join for a neat finish as follows:

Cut yarn and pull the end up through the last stitch, use your yarn needle to feed the end through the second stitch along and back through the middle of the last stitch again. Pull to create a faux stitch top over the first stitch. Weave the end, back and forth, into the back of the piece to secure.

When working into the first stitch again, ensure you insert your hook under the real stitch top of that first stitch as well.

3 completed crochet reindeer heads

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Crocheting the Reindeer Ears

We will start with the Beige inner piece, then work the Light Brown back piece, and then join the 2 pieces together to finish the ear. Allow a couple of inches of a starting tail when working these pieces. Using your larger 5mm hook make 2 as follows:

Step 1.

Using Beige yarn, ch5, starting with the 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc x2, sl st, ch2, work back down the other side of the starting ch, sl st, hdc x2, sc, cut yarn and pull the end through the loop on hook to fasten off.
(4 sts on each side with a ch2 in the middle)

Step 2.

Repeat Step 1. using Light Brown yarn but do not fasten off, ch1 and turn instead.

Step 3.

Place the Beige piece on top of the Light Brown piece wrong side to wrong side, insert hook through both pieces to crochet them together, sc x4 along the side, make 3 sc into the ch2 space at the tip, sc x4 along the other side, cut yarn leaving a long tail for attaching and pull the end through the loop on hook to fasten off.
(11 sts) Leave all the tail ends for now, do not weave them in.

Instruction 3 part image showing how to crochet the reindeer ears

Repeat the same process for the second ear.
Hold the 2 ears together and trim the 3 shorter tail ends on both pieces to the same length (approx. 1 inch from the bottom edge of the ear) and tuck the ends in between the 2 layers to lightly stuff the ears.

The finished crocheted ears for the Christmas Tree reindeer baubles

Crocheting the Christmas Tree Reindeer Antlers

The antlers are made by working slip stitches into the back bumps only of chains. We’ll start with working the reindeer’s left antler (right side when looking at it) and then mirror the action to make the right antler. Make the antlers using Dark Brown yarn and the smaller 4mm hook.

Crocheting the Left Antler:

  • Allow a couple of inches of a starting tail and make a slip knot, chain 13,
  • work into the back bumps only starting from the 2nd ch from hook sl st x4,
  • insert hook into the back bumps of the next 2 chains and make a sl st (making a decrease),
  • sl st into the next ch,
  • ch4, from 2nd ch from hook, sl st x3,
  • working along the original ch13 again sl st x2,
  • ch4, from 2nd ch from hook, sl st x3,
  • working along the original ch13 again sl st x3,
  • cut yarn leaving a couple of inches and pull the end through the loop on hook to fasten off.
  • Bend the end upwards to position as shown below.

Crocheting the Right Antler:

  • Allow a couple of inches of a starting tail and make a slip knot, chain 7,
  • work into the back bumps only starting from the 2nd ch from hook sl st x3,
  • ch6, from 2nd ch from hook, sl st x3,
  • ch7, from 2nd ch from hook, sl st x4,
  • sl st twice into the same next ch (making an increase),
  • sl st into the next ch,
  • sl st x2 along the back bumps of chains in between the first 2 tines (spikes),
  • sl st x3 to the end of starting chain,
  • cut yarn leaving a couple of inches and pull the end through the loop on hook to fasten off.
  • Adjust to position as shown.
The finished crocheted antlers for the reindeer baubles

We’ll be using the ends to attach the antlers to the head later.

Crocheting the Reindeer Head

For the head, we’ll be working in joined rounds using the blending technique to keep the rounds even.

We’ll start with Beige yarn for the muzzle and continue with Light Brown. We will then attach the ears and antlers and embroider the face before decreasing the back of the head and stuffing.

Crocheting the Front of the Reindeer Head:

Using your 5mm hook and Beige yarn, start with Magic Ring,

R1.

sc x6 into mr, pull closed, sl st into the first sc st to join (6)

R2.

ch1, sc in the first st, inc x5, sc into the first st again, sl st to join (12)

R3.

ch1, skip the first st, inc into the next st, *sc, inc,* repeat between * to the end of round, sc into the skipped first st, fasten off with an invisible join (18)

The muzzle area for the reindeer baubles

R4.

Join Light Brown yarn with a sc into the first sc of any increase st, sc, inc, *sc x2, inc*, repeat between * to the end of round, sl st into the first joining sc to join (24)

R5.

ch1, skip the first st, *inc, sc x3*, repeat between * to the end of round ending in the skipped first st, sl st to join (30)

R6.-R9.

ch1, skip the first st, sc in each st, sc in the skipped first st, sl st to join (30 for 4 rounds)

Hold the working stitch loop with a stitch marker here while we attach the pieces and embroider the face. Be sure to keep the working yarn out of the way while attaching and embroidering, so as not to trap the yarn.

The reindeer bauble crochet pattern after round 9

Attaching the Reindeer Ears

To find the position for our ears, count 6 stitches along on the head piece, starting with the first st. Follow this stitch down to the round below, we’ll be using the 6th and 5th stitch of this second round down to attach our first ear.

Showing the placement for the first ear
  • Take the long tail end of one of the ears and use your yarn needle to thread the end in through the base of the 6th stitch and out the top left of this stitch.
  • Thread through both layers at the base of the ear, from back to front, 1/4 of the way across.
  • Thread through the base of the 6th stitch again but out at the top right this time (Pull the yarn tight as you go to attach the ear firmly).
  • Thread through the middle of the base of the ear.
  • Thread through at the base of the 5th stitch and out the top left of this stitch.
  • Thread through the base of the ear 3/4 of the way across.
  • Thread through the base of the 5th stitch again but out at the top right this time.
  • Thread through the edge of the base of ear and back in through the base of the 5th stitch again.
  • Thread out through the middle of the second round right next to the ear.
  • Thread across the base of the front of the ear through the Light Brown edges.
  • Thread back through the middle of the round next to the ear on the other side.
  • Pull tight to pinch the base together.
  • Weave the end into the inside to secure. Trim off excess yarn.
Showing the placement for the second ear

Count 9 stitches along from the first ear and repeat the same process for the second ear using the 11th and 10th stitch along. This should leave a space of 9 stitches in between the 2 ears.

Showing the crochet reindeer head bauble after attaching the ears


~ More Christmas Patterns! ~

A thumbnail image of the Christmas Tree Advent Calendar crochet patternA thumbnail image of the Curly Toes Elf Slipper Shoes crochet pattern


Embroidering the Reindeer Face

Embroider the Reindeer’s Eyes:

Take a long length of Black yarn and your yarn needle.

  • Follow the line of stitches on the inner edges of the ears down to the Beige muzzle area to find the placement of the eyes. Facing you, this should be an increase stitch on the left side and a sc stitch to the left of an increase stitch on the right side.
  • Starting from the inside, thread out through the base of the stitch in the Beige area and make a stitch upwards through the Light Brown stitch top directly above.
  • Repeat the stitch to thicken the mark and come out through the base of the stitch on the other side to start the second eye.
  • Repeat the process to make 2 stitches for the second eye.
  • Tie the starting and tail end together on the inside to secure, making sure not to pull too tightly to distort the face. Trim excess yarn to tidy (but not too close to the knot)
Showing where to embroider the reindeer's eyes

Embroider the Reindeer’s Nose:

Take an extra long length of Red or Dark Brown yarn and your yarn needle.

  • Embroider an outline of a nose shape by back stitching across the middle of the centre starting round, up over the next round, 3 stitches along in between the eyes, and back down to the middle line.
Embroidering the outline of the reindeer nose
  • Use the upper and lower lines as a guide to embroider long downward stitches to fill in the nose.
  • Tie the starting and tail end together on the inside to secure, making sure not to pull too tightly. Trim excess yarn to tidy.

Filling in the reindeer nose with long embroidered stitches

Attaching the Reindeer Antlers

The tines (spikes) of the antlers should be facing inwards. Use the stitches in front of the ears towards the inner side of the ears as a guide for attaching the antlers.

Attaching the antlers on the reindeer baubles
  • Using your smaller 4mm hook, insert your hook through the inside of the head out through the base of the stitch, 1 stitch in from the ear and 1 round in front of the ear, and pull the outer tail end of the antler through to the inside.
  • Skip over to the next stitch base along, towards the inside, and pull the other tail end through.
  • Repeat for the other antler.
  • Tie the tail ends of each antler together, pulling tightly so that they stand up against the head, make 3 knots to secure. Trim excess yarn to tidy

Showing the crochet reindeer head bauble after attaching the antlers

Finishing the Christmas Baubles Reindeer Head

Replace your 5mm hook into the held stitch loop and continue working with your Light Brown yarn,

R10.

ch1, skip the first st, *dec, sc x3*, repeat between * to the end of round ending in the skipped first st, sl st to join (24)

R11.

ch1, skip the first st, *dec, sc x2*, repeat between * to the end of round ending in the skipped first st, sl st to join (18) Stuff the head firmly with toy stuffing here.

R12.

ch1, skip the first st, *dec, sc*, repeat between * to the end of round ending in the skipped first st, sl st to join (12)

R13.

ch1, skip the first st, dec x6 ending with the skipped first st, do not join (6)

Finishing the back of the crochet reindeer head bauble

Cut yarn and pull the end up through the last st. Finish stuffing the head through the small opening, using the back of your hook or stuffing tool. Using your yarn needle, thread the end through the front loops only of each stitch and pull to close the hole. Weave in the end to secure.

A completed red nosed reindeer bauble

Thread a ribbon through the middle of the top for a hanging loop & you’re done!

Congratulations!

You have now completed your Christmas Reindeer Bauble! I hope you’ve enjoyed making this free crochet pattern. You can browse through all of my other crochet patterns here, including many more free designs.

Please show your support and help me share this free pattern by simply pinning a Pin, or sharing a link with your crochet friends!

2 completed reindeer baubles, one with a red nose and one with a brown nose

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