Piece it Together...
Sewing-up time - Total of 1 Hour
Stitching of facial features - Total of 15 Minutes
Sewing Up
Body Piece - With right side of st-st on the outside, beginning at cast-on edge, gather up cast-on stitches and continue to sew across row ends using mattress stitch for a neat finish, up to the B&t end. Just before reaching the end, stuff firmly and then pull up tightly and fasten off.
Place tail in position and sew into place.
Legs - With right side of st-st on the outside, beginning at foot, pull up tightly and continue in mattress stitch sewing across row ends up to the cast-on edge, but leaving this cast-on edge open. Stuff firmly and continue to leave open until all four legs are complete.
Place or pin legs onto body into position and sew the open cast-on edge of the legs into place. Fasten off all other loose ends.
Head - With right side of st-st on the outside, beginning at cast-on edge, gather up cast-on stitches and continue to sew across row ends up to the B&t nose end. Just before reaching the end, stuff firmly and then pull up tightly and fasten off.
Ears - With right side of st-st on the outside, fold the ear piece in half, across the cast on edge. Oversew across row ends, down towards the cast-on edge. Pin the ear pieces either side of the head, lying them flat against the head, pointing forwards. Oversew the ear cast-on/cast-off edges onto the headpiece. This sewing position allows a neater look from the front view.
Place head into position at the front of the completed body piece and sew strongly into place. Fasten off all loose ends and ensure that if any pins have been used, that they are removed when complete.
Facial Features
Using red yarn, stitch a nose on centrally to the front of the face.
Using dark brown yarn, stitch on eyes and mouth as shown in the picture.
Fasten off all loose ends.
Make it Different...
Instead of a red nose, you may wish to sew on a small button or use a different colour. Instead of a Rudolf reindeer, it can then be made to be a stag.
You may wish to use larger needles to make him a bit bigger without adding any extra time.
Experiment with some different facial features to give him your own bit of character.
This basic pattern may also be used to make other similar-looking animals. Instead of making the antlers, use other colours to make a horse or make up a little horn shape to help make a unicorn!
For a smaller project but keeping things Christmassy - add the knitted santa, knitted snowman, knitted angel or little knitted reindeer to your collection!
Christmas Mini Bundle
Knitted Angel
Knitted Reindeer
Behind the Scenes!
These patterns are all made up as I go along, learning from mistakes along the way. Every time I create a new pattern, I record it in the Updates part of this site (effectively my blog…) There is a story behind each creation, and this can help give you some more ideas and encouragement.
All done?
Feel free to share your successes or any other tips or suggestions by contacting me. If it's all gone swimmingly and you're ready for your next challenge, have a look at what to try next!
