Growing up in rural northwest Canada, deer were pretty much a daily sight for me. I was always happy to see them (yes, even when they were "breaking In" to the garden or munching down on the hay meant for the horses and goats. I loved seeing the interaction between a fawn and their mother, the curiosity of any deer when seeing something new or unusual and, of course, the majestic beauty of a buck with a full rack of antlers.
So, Dale may be a bit of a "salad-forker", but hey, he's totally rocking those antlers!
However, if you're feeling more like a Dolly the Doe kind of vibe, feel free to skip the antlers and embrace your inner deer diva!
After a lot of trial and error, I think I have perfected my little deer pattern and I hope you like him as much as I do. The pattern is free here or you can buy a pdf copy by clicking the link below:
Pattern:
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in tan (A), taupe (B) and ecru (C)
Size G (4.00mm) crochet hook
Safety Eyes -12mm (optional)
Polyfill stuffing (or material of choice)
Stitch Guide:
sc - single crochet
dec – invisible dec ~ insert hook into front loop of each of next 2 sc , yarn over and pull through first 2 loops, yarn over and draw through both loops.
MR – magic ring
All Pieces are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise noted. Finished Product measures approximately 13” from foot to top of head when using recommended yarn weight.
BODY
Rnd 1: With A, work 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each sc (12)
Rnd 3: (sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (18 sc)
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (24 sc)
Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (30 sc)
Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (36 sc)
Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (42 sc)
Rnd 8: (sc in next 6 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (48 sc)
Rnd 9-13: sc in each sc around (48 sc)
Rnd 14: (sc in next 6 sc, dec) x6 (42 sc)
Rnd 15-16: sc in each sc around (42 sc)
Rnd 18-19: sc in each sc around (36 sc)
Rnd 20: (sc in next 4 sc, dec) x6 (30 sc)
Rnd 21-22: sc in each sc around (30 sc)
Rnd 23: (sc in next 8 sc, dec) x3 (27 sc)
Begin stuffing body at this point, continuing as you progress.
Rnd 24-25: sc in each sc around (27 sc)
Rnd 26: (sc in next 7 sc, dec) x3 (24 sc)
Rnd 27-28: sc in each sc around (24 sc)
Rnd 29: (sc in next 2 sc, dec) x6 (18 sc)
Rnd 30: (sc in next sc, dec) x6 (12 sc)
Rnd 31: (sc in next sc, dec) x4 (8 sc)
Fasten off, leaving long tail for joining head to body.
HEAD
Rnd 1: With B, work 6 sc in MR (6 sc)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each sc (12 sc)
Rnd 3: (sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (18 sc)
Rnd 4: sc in each sc around (18 sc)
Rnd 5: (sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (24 sc)
Rnd 6-7: sc in each sc around (24 sc)
Rnd 8: (sc in next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6, changing to A in last st (30 sc)
Rnd 9: sc in each sc around (30 sc)
Rnd 10: (sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6, sc in next 12 sc (36 sc)
Rnd 11: sc in each sc around (36 sc)
Rnd 12: (sc in next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6, sc in next 12 sc (42 sc)
Rnd 13-18: sc in each sc around (42 sc)
If using safety eyes, place between rnds 11 & 12 between 2nd & 3rd increase and 4th and 5th increase.
Rnd 19: (sc in next 5 sc, dec) x6 (36 sc)
Rnd 20: sc in each sc around (36 sc)
Rnd 21: (sc in next 4 sc, dec) x6 (30 sc)
Rnd 22: (sc in next 3 sc, dec) x6 (24 sc)
Begin stuffing head at this point, continuing as you progess.
Rnd 23: (sc in next 2 sc, dec) x6 (18 sc)
Rnd 24: (sc in next sc, dec) x6 (12 sc)
Rnd 25: dec x6 (6 sc).
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Weave yarn tail through last round and pull tight to close.
If desired, use another length of yarn to shape face by drawing yarn back and forth under eyes as pictured and pulling in slightly.
LEGS (make 4)
Rnd 1: With B, work 6 sc in MR (6 sc)
I like to leave a somewhat longer tail on the MR loop to use in shaping the cloven hoof.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc (12 sc)
Rnd 3: (sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (18 sc)
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc) x6 (24 sc)
Rnd 5-7: sc in each sc around, changing to A in last sc and leaving a long tail for shaping hoof.
Rnd 8: (sc in next 2sc, dec) x6 (18)
Rnd 9 – 11: sc in each sc around.
Firmly stuff the foot.
Using the long tail, between rnds 7 & 8, draw yarn to outside of work and insert needle through center of MR 2 – 3 times, pulling slightly to make slightly separated toes as pictured. Knot the two tails of B inside the foot and tuck tails inside.
Rnd 12: (sc in next sc, dec) x6 (12 sc)
Lightly fill leg to row 16 as you continue.
Rnd 13- 24: sc in each sc around (12 sc)
Rnd 25: (sc in next sc , dec) x4 (8 sc)
Fasten off and leave a tail for attaching to body.
EARS (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With A, work 4 sc in MR (4 sc)
Rnd 2: (sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc) x2 (6 sc)
Rnd 3: (sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc) x2 (8 sc)
Rnd 4: (sc in next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc) x2 (10 sc)
Rnd 5: (sc in next 4 sc, 2sc in next sc) x2 (12 sc)
Rnd 6: sc in each sc around (12 sc)
Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 sc, 2sc in next sc) x2 (14 sc)
Rnd 8-9: sc in each sc around (14 sc)
Rnd 10: dec x 7 (7sc)
Fasten off and leave a tail for attaching to head.
TAIL
Rnd 1: With A, work 6 sc in MR (6sc)
Rnd 2: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) x3 (9 sc)
Rnd 3: sc in each sc around (9 sc)
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) x3 (12 sc)
Rnd 5: (sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next 2 sc) x2 (14 sc)
Rnd 6: sc in each sc around (14 sc)
Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 sc, dec) x 2 (12 sc)
Fasten off and leave a tail for attaching to body
ANTLERS (make 2)
Antlers are completed in 2 steps using C. One spike is completed and then joined into the second piece as it is being worked.
SPIKE 1:
Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in MR (4 sc)
Rnd 2-5: sc in each sc around (4sc)
SPIKE 2:
Rnd 1: Work 5 sc in MR (5 sc)
Rnd 2-5: sc in each sc around (5 sc)
Rnd 6: sc in next 2 sc, working in both Spike 1 and Spike 2 – sc in next 2 sc, sc in next sc of Spike 2 only. (5 sc)
Rnd 7: sc in next 2 sc, working in remaining sc of Spike 1 only, sc in next 2 sc, sc in last sc of Spike 2. (5 sc)
Rnd 8-11: sc in each sc around (5 sc)
Fasten off and leave a tail for attaching to head. Stuff firmly.
Assembling your Deer:
Sew head onto body between rounds 13 to 18 of head. Attach arms to sides of body 1-2 rnds below head.
Legs attach directly to the base of body at the front of round 4 with 2 or 3 stitches between and tail centered and low on the back.
Antlers are attached to the top of head about 4 rows directly above eyes with Spike 1 towards the center. Fold last round of ears to create a slight cupping and sew to the head behind and slightly below the antlers in an upright position.
Now make sure all your ends are tucked in snug and secure and give that deer some cuddles!
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