Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer- Free Crochet Pattern

…but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?

It’s Rudolph! Doesn’t he look like he’s ready to guide Santa’s sleigh?

Not only is this Rudolph cheerful, he’s also quite huggable. He is pretty big, too. From toe to antlers, he measures about 12 inches tall. I crochet pretty tightly, so yours might end up even a little bit bigger. Clarice is made very similarly, and you can find the pattern for her here.

Though this pattern has not had any official testers, several of you have sent me pictures of your finished work. I’m so glad to see that this pattern is working out great for you. If you haven’t shared your pictures with me yet, I’d love to see what you come up with!

Happy crocheting!

Abbreviations used:
sc – single crochet
dec 2 tog – decrease two together (sometimes called sc2tog)
F/O – fasten off
dec 3 tog – decrease three together (sometimes called sc3tog)

Supplies needed:
Yarn in the following colors: orangish-brown, dark brown, red, off-white, black, and white
Fiberfill
Yarn needle
Scissors
G hook (4.0 mm)

Head – make 1, starting w/ orangish-brown
1. 6 sc in ring (6)
2. 2 sc in ea around (12)
3. 2 sc in ea around (24)
4. *1 sc, 2 sc* around (36)
5. 1 sc in ea around (36)
6. *1 sc in 2, 2 sc* around (48)
7. 1 sc in ea around (48)
8. 1 sc in ea around (48)
Repeat row 8 (9  times)
18. *1 sc in 2, dec 2 tog* around (36)
19. 1 sc in ea around (36)
20. 1 sc in ea around (36)
21. 1 sc in 18, *1 sc in 1, dec 2 tog* 6 times (30)
22. 1 sc in ea around (30)
23. 1 sc in 15, *1 sc, dec 2 tog* 5 times (25)
24. 1 sc in ea around (25)
25. *1 sc in 3, dec 2 tog* around (20)
26. 1 sc in ea around (20)
27. 1 sc in ea around (20)
28. 1 sc in ea around (20)
29. *1 sc in 2, dec 2 tog* around (15)
30. *1 sc, dec 2 tog* around (10)
31. *dec 2 tog* around (5)
weave end thru 5, pull tight & F/O
weave in ends

Nose – make 1 in red
1. 6 sc in ring (6)
2. *1 sc, 2 sc* 3 times (9)
3. 1 sc in ea around (9)

Antlers – make 2 in dark brown
1. 6 sc in ring (6)
2. *1 sc, 2 sc* around (9)
3. 1 sc around (9)
Repeat round 3 (1 time)  F/O

Body – make 1 in orangish-brown
1. 6 sc in ring (6)
2. 2 sc in ea around (12)
3. 2 sc in ea around (24)
4. *1 sc, 2 sc* around (36)
5. 1 sc in ea around (36)
6. *1 sc in 2, 2 sc* around (48)
7. 1 sc in ea around (48)
Repeat round 7 (29 times)
37. *1 sc in 2, dec 2 tog* around (36)
38. *1 sc, dec 2 tog* around (24)
39. *dec 2 tog* around (12)
40. *dec 2 tog* around (6)
weave end thru 6. pull tight. F/O

Belly – make 1 in off-white
**Note: with amigurumi, I prefer not to chain when I turn. This creates a straighter edge, which makes for neat assembly
1. Ch. 7, turn, sc in ea (6), turn
2. 2 sc, sc in 4, 2 sc, turn (8)
3. 2 sc, sc in 6, 2 sc, turn (10)
4. 2 sc, sc in 8, 2 sc, turn (12)
5. sc in ea across, turn (12)
Repeat round 5 until piece is long enough to go under body
– dec 2 tog, sc in 8, dec 2 tog (10)
– dec 2 tog, sc in 6, dec 2 tog (8)
– dec 2 tog, sc in 4, dec 2 tog (6)
– *dec 2 tog* three times (3)
– dec 3 tog F/O

Neck – make 1 in orangish-brown
1. Ch. 30, sl st to join (30)
2. sc in ea around (30)
Repeat round 2 (8 times)  F/O

Ears – make 4 in orangish-brown
1. Ch. 9, turn, sc in ea, turn (8)
2. sc in ea across, turn (8)
3. 2 sc, sc in 6, 2 sc, turn (10)
4. dec 2 tog, sc in 6, dec 2 tog, turn (8)
5. sc in ea across, turn (8)
6. dec 2 tog, sc, dec 2 tog, sc, dec 2 tog, turn (5)
7. sc in ea, turn (5)
8. dec 2 tog, sc, dec 2 tog, turn (3)
9. dec 3 tog, F/O

**Note for assembly:  Each ear is made up of two ear piece stitched together

Inside of Ear – make 2 in off-white
1. Ch. 6, turn sc in ea, turn (5)
2. sc in ea, turn (5)
3. dec 2 tog, sc in 1, dec 2 tog (3)
4. dec 3 tog, F/O

Tail – make 2 in off-white
1. Ch. 9, turn, sc in ea, turn (8)
2. sc in ea, turn (8)
3. 2 sc, sc in 6, 2 sc, turn (10)
4. dec 2 tog, sc in 6, dec 2 tog, turn (8)
5. sc in ea across, turn (8)
6. dec 2 tog, sc, dec 2 tog, sc, dec 2 tog, turn (5)
7. sc in ea across, turn (5)
8. dec 2 tog, sc, dec 2 tog, turn (3)
9. dec 3 tog, F/o

Top of Tail – make 1 in orangish-brown
1. Ch. 6, turn, sc in ea, turn (5)
2. sc in ea, turn (5)
3. sc in ea, turn (5)
4. sc in ea, turn (5)
5. dec 2 tog, sc in 1, dec 2 tog (3)
6. dec 3 tog, F/O

Legs – starting w/ black
1. 6 sc in ring (6)
2. 2 sc in ea (12)
3. 2 sc in ea (24)
4. BLO – sc around (24)
5. sc in ea around (24), switching to off-white
6. sc in ea around (24)
Repeat round 6 (24), switching to orangish-brown
8. sc in ea around (24)
Repeat round 8 – 2 times (24)
11. *sc in 4, dec 2 tog* 4 times (20)
12. sc in ea around (20)
Repeat round 12 – 20 times
33. *sc in 2, dec 2 tog* around (15)
34. 1 sc around
35. *sc in 1, dec 2 tog* around (10)
36. *dec 2 tog* around (5)
Weave end thru 5 and pull tight, F/O

Neck Fluff – make 1 in off-white
1. Ch. 8, turn and sc in 7 down (7), turn
2. sc in ea (7), turn
3. 2 sc, sc in 5, 2 sc (9), turn
4. sc across (9), turn
5. dec 2 tog, sc in 5, dec 2 tog (7), turn
6. dec 2 tog, sc in 3, dec 2 tog (5), turn
F/O

Muzzle – make 1 in off-white
1. ch. 15, turn, sc in ea across, turn (14)
2. dec 2 tog, sc in 10, dec 2 tog, turn (12)
3. sc in ea, turn (12)
4. dec 2 tog, sc in 8, dec 2 tog, turn (10)
5. sc in ea, turn (10)
6. sc in ea, turn (10
turn to work up side: hdc, dc, hdc, then sc across top

Eyes – make 2, beginning with black and switching to white at round 3
1. with black, 6 sc in ring (6)
2. continuing to work in the round, 1 sc, 2 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, dec 2 tog (5) F/O, leaving long tail for sewing
3. join white with sl st at rounded end of pupil (as shown in pic above), with white, sc in same stitch as sl st join. sc in the next 4, sl st in last, turn, DO NOT CHAIN
4. skip sl st, hdc in next 5, sl st into round two to round out the white of the eye, F/O leaving long tail for sewing.

As you stitch the eye into place on your reindeer, the edges of the eyes will smooth out, making more of an eye shape. Use the tail of the black to sew on the black of the eye. Use the tail of the white to sew on the white of the eye. Using a small piece of white, you can stitch on catch lights if you want to.
Note: For a 3-D look, I outline the eyes with black yarn.

Assembly: using the pictures as a guide. Add stuffing to pieces as you go along. 

This pattern is accurate to the best of my knowledge. If you have any questions or find needed corrections, please feel free to comment. And, if you make this lovable character, I’d love to see your pictures!

Happy crocheting!