This dungaree reindeer combines a brown head, green lower body, small hooves and soft branched antlers. Work and stuff the head and body separately, then add the limbs and a flat bib. Two narrow straps run from the bib over the shoulders to the back. Every shaping round and strap foundation is specified below.
About this edition: This edition replaces the abbreviated torso and leg sections and the conflicting brace counts with a complete separate-piece construction. This is an AI-assisted Croshly editorial version with reviewed stitch arithmetic. A physically crocheted test sample and measured finished size are not documented. The AI project illustration is a styling concept; use the written construction below as your guide.
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Supplies and working notes
- Worsted/Aran yarn in brown, dark brown and green, plus red and black embroidery yarn. Allow approximately 50 g of brown and 25–50 g of green with scraps of dark brown; these are planning reserves rather than measured sample usage.
- A 3.5 mm crochet hook as a starting point. Choose a hook that makes a firm fabric and use the same yarn thickness throughout.
- Polyester stuffing, yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker and removable assembly pins. No wire, plastic eyes or buttons are required.
US terms: ch = chain; sc = single crochet; sl st = slip stitch; inc = 2 sc in one stitch; dec = sc the next 2 stitches together; MR = magic ring. A bracketed sequence is repeated the stated number of times. Work rounds in a continuous spiral and move a marker into the first stitch of each new round. Turning ch 1 does not count as a stitch. Leave about 20 cm of yarn for sewing whenever an attachment tail is needed.
The green body forms the trousers; a separate green rectangle forms the bib. The head and neck openings both finish at 18 stitches. This is a decorative figure with no verified finished-size measurement. A change in yarn thickness changes all parts, so make a full set in the same yarn rather than resizing a single limb.
Dungaree body
| Round | Instruction | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | With green, 6 sc in MR. | 6 |
| 2 | inc in each stitch. | 12 |
| 3 | [sc, inc] 6 times. | 18 |
| 4 | [2 sc, inc] 6 times. | 24 |
| 5 | [3 sc, inc] 6 times. | 30 |
| 6–10 | sc in every stitch, staying in green. | 30 each |
| 11 | [3 sc, dec] 6 times, in green. | 24 |
| 12 | Change to brown; [2 sc, dec] 6 times. | 18 |
| 13–14 | sc in every stitch in brown. | 18 each |
Fasten off with a sewing tail and keep the opening open. Stuff the green lower body first, then add small amounts to the brown chest. Keep the neck edge flexible for joining.
Head
| Round | Instruction | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | With brown, 6 sc in MR. | 6 |
| 2 | inc in each stitch. | 12 |
| 3 | [sc, inc] 6 times. | 18 |
| 4 | [2 sc, inc] 6 times. | 24 |
| 5 | [3 sc, inc] 6 times. | 30 |
| 6 | [4 sc, inc] 6 times. | 36 |
| 7–11 | sc in every stitch. | 36 each |
| 12 | [4 sc, dec] 6 times. | 30 |
| 13 | [3 sc, dec] 6 times. | 24 |
| 14 | [2 sc, dec] 6 times. | 18 |
| 15 | sc in every stitch. | 18 |
Leave the 18-stitch opening open. Mark two eyes around Rounds 8–9, about 6 stitches apart, and embroider them securely. Stuff the head. Align the 18 head stitches with the 18 body-neck stitches and sew one-to-one around, adding the final pinch of stuffing before the last gap is closed.
Muzzle and red nose
With brown or a slightly lighter matching yarn, Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6). Round 2: inc in each stitch (12). Round 3: sc around (12). Fasten off with a sewing tail. Embroider a red oval near the centre for the nose, then add a short dark mouth line below it. Pin the muzzle below the eyes, across approximately head Rounds 9–12, and sew its edge to the head. Add only a little filling so it does not obscure the eyes.
Ears and soft antlers
Ears, make 2 in brown: Round 1, 6 sc in MR (6). Round 2, inc around (12). Round 3, sc around (12). Leave unstuffed, flatten the opening and sew across its 6 pairs of stitches. Pin to the sides of the head around Rounds 5–6 and attach symmetrically.
Main antler stems, make 2 in dark brown: Round 1, 5 sc in MR (5). Rounds 2–6, sc in each stitch (5 each). Fasten off, leaving the bottom opening unclosed. The magic ring is the rounded tip. Use no wire; a tiny amount of stuffing is optional.
Antler branches, make 2 in dark brown: Round 1, 4 sc in MR (4). Rounds 2–3, sc around (4 each). Fasten off. Sew one open branch base onto the side of each main stem around its Rounds 3–4. Position the branches pointing outward. Sew each main stem base to the top of the head, approximately Rounds 2–4, leaving room between them. Reinforce the attachments without pulling the head out of shape.
Arms and hoofed legs
Arms, make 2 in brown: Round 1, 6 sc in MR (6). Round 2, [sc, inc] 3 times (9). Rounds 3–7, sc around (9 each). Round 8, [sc, dec] 3 times (6). Lightly fill the lower arm, flatten the opening and sew across 3 pairs. Attach at the sides of body Rounds 12–13 before fitting the straps.
Legs, make 2: with dark brown, Round 1, 6 sc in MR (6). Round 2, inc around (12). Rounds 3–4, sc around (12 each). Round 5, [sc, dec] 4 times (8). Change to brown for Rounds 6–10 and work 8 sc in each round. Change to green for Rounds 11–12 and work 8 sc in each round. Stuff the hoof and lower leg lightly, flatten the 8-stitch opening and sew across 4 pairs. Sew the green tops to the front lower body around Rounds 3–5 so the legs point forward in a seated position.
Bib and two straps
- Bib: with green, ch 9. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch (8). Rows 2–4: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (8). Fasten off with a long sewing tail.
- Centre the bib over the front of body Rounds 9–12. Sew the lower and side edges securely to the body and tack both upper corners. It does not need an opening or removable fastener.
- Each strap: with green, ch 22. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in every remaining chain (21 sc). Fasten off with a sewing tail. Make a second identical strip.
- Pin one end of each strap to an upper bib corner. Take the strip over the corresponding shoulder beside the neck and pin the other end to the green back around body Round 10. Sew both ends securely.
- Check the actual path before fastening the ends permanently. If a strap is too short or loose, remake it with the required foundation length: a chain of N gives N minus 1 sc. Adjust the two straps equally unless their attachment paths differ.
The default 22-chain strap has 21 worked stitches; there is no unexplained four-chain allowance. Stretching a short strap over the neck can pull the bib upward, so alter its length rather than forcing it into place.
Assembly and final checks
Check antlers and ears from the front before tightening their sewing tails. Check that both arms attach at the same body round and both hoof tops at the same height. For a seated pose, adjust stuffing and leg angle before sewing the final stitches. The bib should lie flat and both shoulder straps should have a little ease. Remove all pins and secure every loose end inside the body.
Care and use
Spot clean according to your yarn and filling labels, reshape the antlers and let the stuffing dry fully. Do not suspend the figure by its straps or antlers. It is a decoration, not a tested baby toy. Inspect small attached pieces regularly and keep damaged items away from children.
