How to Knit a Little Reindeer
Complete Size - 5.5cm width x 8cm height
What you will need...
Total time - 1 Hour 45 Minutes Each Reindeer
3.25mm knitting needles (UK 10, US 3)
Double knitting yarn - Light brown, dark brown, beige and red
Sewing up needle
Scissors
A small amount of toy filling/stuffing
Optional pin badge or plain hairband to sew onto the back of your knitted reindeer
Before You Start...
Abbreviations
K = Knit P = Purl St = Stitch Sts = Stitches
Cast On - I use the thumb method.
St-st = stocking stitch. Alternating a row of knit stitches (right side), with a row of purl stitches (wrong side).
K2tog = Decrease by knitting two stitches together, making one stitch from two.
Inc = Increase - by knitting into the front and the back of the same stitch, to make two stitches out of one.
Cast off - K wise or P wise according to pattern. US - bind off.
B&t tightly - Break off yarn and thread yarn through the remaining stitches on needle, pull up tightly and fasten off.
TOP TIP
Sew up and add stitching in the suggested order to allow a neater finish when fastening off loose ends. And add to the collection with a knitted angel, knitted santa, and knitted snowman!
How to Make it...
Made from one knitted head piece, two knitted ear pieces, and four small finger knitted pieces that make up the two antlers. All pieces are sewn together with added stitching for the facial features. Optional pin badge, hairband or finger-knitted loop to be sewn on your finished piece, to allow it to be used an accessory or tree decoration.
Main Piece
Make 1
Time - 25 Minutes
Piece Size 4 cm x 8 cm
Needles 3.25 mm
Yarn Light Brown
Cast on 5 sts
P 1 Row
K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (7sts)
P 1 row
K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (10sts)
P 1 row
K1, Inc Kwise, K6, Inc Kwise, K1 (12sts)
Beginning with a P row st-st 5 rows
K1, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K1 (10sts)
P 1 row
K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (7sts)
P 1 row
K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (5sts)
P 1 row*
K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (7sts)
P 1 Row
K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (10sts)
P 1 row
K1, Inc Kwise, K6, Inc Kwise, K1 (12sts)
Beginning with a P row st-st 5 rows
K1, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K1 (10sts)
P 1 row
K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (7sts)
P 1 row
K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (5sts)
P 1 row
Cast off K wise
Ear Pieces
Make 2
Time - 5 Minutes each
Piece Size 3 cm x 1.5 cm
Needles 3.25 mm
Yarn Light Brown
Cast on 8sts
Beginning with a P row st-st 3 rows
K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog (5sts)
B&t tightly
Antlers
Make 2 Pieces for each Antler
Time - 20 Minutes per Antler
Total Size 4 cm x 4cm
No needles
Yarn Beige
Using a single length of yarn, finger-knit a length of approximately 4cm.
A total of four pieces (all 4cm long) are needed to make up the two antlers.
Make up each antler as above, crossing one finger-knitted piece centrally over another and sewing into place. Loose ends may be left at the base at the antler to fasten off when sewing onto the head, but all others must be fastened off.
Piece it Together...
Stitching of Facial Features- Total of 15 Minutes
Sewing-up time - Total of 15 Minutes
Sewing Up
Head Piece - With right side of st-st on the outside, sew across row ends, leaving cast-on/cast-off edge open. Mattress stitch will provide a neat finish. Stuff lightly through this gap, and then oversew gap and fasten off loose ends.
Ear Pieces - 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, lining up the edge with seam. Oversew the ear cast on/cast off edges onto the headpiece. This sewing position allows a neater look from the front view.
Antlers - Sew the completed antlers onto place at the top of the completed head, between the ears.
Either fasten off all loose ends, or leave a length centrally at the back of the reindeer to be able to sew on the hairband or pin badge if desired.
Ensure all pins are removed when complete.
Facial Features
Mark the centre point of your reindeer face with a pin, and using red yarn, sew on a nose. Working around this as a centre point, and using dark brown yarn, stitch two eyes and a smiley mouth.
Starting with the nose allows your facial features to be better centred, or alternatively place pins in the desired place for the eyes, nose and mouth to allow more accurate positioning.
Ensure once again that all pins are removed when complete.
Making a Hairband
Sew the hairband so it lies horizontally across the back of the reindeer. This will allow the reindeer to rest in the upright position in the hair.
Oversew several times to give it strength and longevity.
Make it Different...
Makes a lovely little hair accessory, but also great as a tree decoration. You may also choose to make a 2D reindeer (with completed features) on to the front of a stocking or cushion to make all sorts of things a little more festive!
*To make the 2D reindeer face, cast off at * as highlighted in the reindeer main piece.
If choosing to make a reindeer as a single piece as above, you may wish to use larger needles to make him a bit bigger without adding any extra time.
Experiment with some different facial features! Choose your colour scheme too, varying the main background colour and antlers.
Complete the collection by adding in a knitted santa, knitted angel or knitted snowman!
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!