Dolly the Amigurumi Deer Crochet Pattern (Free)

Get ready to create the cutest deer stuffed animal with this amigurumi crochet deer pattern! Whether you make it as a gift or for yourself, you can bring a touch of the forest home with this sweet crochet deer. I’m excited to share the pattern with you today!

Scroll down for the free pattern, or purchase a print-optimized PDF here

Ever since I watched Bambi as a kid, I’ve always loved deer. They are such a majestic animal.

I tried to make this crochet deer realistic, but also a cute and huggable stuffed animal. I hope you enjoy the free pattern.

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How Do You Crochet A Stuffed Deer?

This easy crochet deer is made in the amigurumi style! We’ll start out by making all the separate body parts, then stuffing them and sewing them together.

The pattern uses basic stitches like single crochet and half double crochet, along with typical amigurumi techniques like the invisible decrease (more information on that farther down).

Love downloading and printing out your patterns? You can buy this pattern as a standalone PDF—or, this pattern will soon be apart of an Amigurumi Ebook! Keep an eye out for that coming soon.

And while you’re at it, check out my other amigurumi crochet patterns, Felicity the Frog, Douglas the Dog, Chloe the Cat, Levi the Lion, Hannah the Hippo, Giana the Giraffe, Paige the Panda, Walter the Whale, Elsie the Elephant, Kaley the Koala, and Piper the Penguin!

Dolly the Free Crochet Deer Pattern

Without further ado, let’s start making this cute amigurumi deer plush for your stuffed animal collection!

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Explanation: Meet Dolly the Deer, a cute amigurumi animal pattern! Dolly is made from worsted or DK weight yarn, and she would love to find a home in the arms of a little girl or boy. Get started on her today!

Materials:

• DK weight yarn: approx. 200 grams light brown, and less than 25 grams in dark brown & pink
• 3.5mm crochet hook
• You can also try using worsted weight yarn & a 4 or 4.5mm hook, but the plushie size will vary depending on your tension.
• 12-mm brown safety eyes (or embroider the eyes for children under 3)
• Fiber filling
• Yarn needle & stitch marker

Gauge and Tension:

Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern. Keep tension normal—do not work with a loose tension. You can always adjust your hook size if need be. For example, if you crochet loosely and you find the amigurumi is looking holey, go down a hook size. 

Notes:

1. All body parts are crocheted separately and then sewn together according to the finishing instructions.
2. All parts are made in continuous rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless otherwise specified. 
3. Turning chain does not count as a stitch. 
4. Place a stitch marker at the end of each round and move it up as you go.
5. When a number is placed after a stitch it means that you should single crochet in each of the next number of stitches. (i.e. sc 7 means single crochet in each of next 7 sts)
6. You will need to know how to change colors in amigurumi to make this pattern (in just one small spot). Learn the different color change methods here. You can use whichever method you like best.

Measurements/Sizing: 

Length: 11-12”

Abbreviations/Stitches Used (U.S.) 

Chain – ch

Slip stitch – sl st

Single crochet – sc

Half double crochet – hdc

Double crochet – dc

Triple crochet – tr

Repeat – rep

Stitch(es) – st(s)

Single crochet increase – inc

Invisible decrease – inv dec

Invisible half double crochet decrease – inv hdc dec

Round – rnd

Special Stitches:

Invisible single crochet decrease (inv dec): video tutorial here

Insert hook into front loop of first stitch, insert hook into front loop of the next stitch, yarn over, pull through both sts (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all loops on hook to complete stitch. 

Invisible half double crochet decrease (inv hdc dec): 

YO, insert hook into front loop of first stitch, insert hook into front loop of the next stitch, yarn over, pull through both sts (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook to complete stitch. 

Single Crochet Increase (inc):

Make 2 sc in indicated stitch. 

Purchase & Print this Crochet Pattern Right Here!

Deer Crochet Pattern Instructions

Front Legs – Make 2 in dark & light brown

Hoof

Chart for first 2 rnds:

With dark brown, ch 4.  

Rnd 1: Inc in second ch from hook, sc 1, 3 sc into next ch. Turn to work along other side of ch. Sc 2. (8)

Rnd 2: (Inc) x2, sc 1. (Inc) x3, sc 1. Inc in last st. (14)

Rnds 3-4: Sc in each st around. (14)

Rnd 5: Sc 6, (inv hdc dec) x2. Sc 4. (12)

Rnd 6: Sl st in each st around. (12)

Fasten off. Join the light brown yarn to continue the legs.

Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 8: (Sc 1, inc) x6. (18)

Rnds 9-14: Sc in each st around. (18)

Rnd 15: (Sc 7, inv dec) x2. (16)

Rnds 16-21: Sc in each st around. (16)

Fasten off. Fill with stuffing. Do not sew the opening closed.

Hoof by itself + front legs:

Back Legs – Make 2 in dark & light brown

Repeat rnds 1-14 of front legs. 

Rnd 15: (Sc 8, inc) x2. (20)

Rnds 16-21: Sc in each st around. (20)

Fasten off. Fill with stuffing. Do not sew opening closed.

Finished back legs:

Body – in light brown

Ch 12.

Rnd 1: 2 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Hdc 8. 3 hdc into next ch, turn to work along opposite side of ch. Hdc 9. (22)

Rnd 2: (2 hdc in next st) x2. Hdc 8. (2 hdc in next st) x3. Hdc 8. 2 hdc in last st.(28)

Rnd 3: (2 hdc in next st, hdc 1) x2. Hdc 8. (Hdc 1, 2 hdc in next st) x3. Hdc 8. 2 hdc in next st, hdc 1. (34)

Rnd 4: (Hdc 2, 2 hdc in next st) x2. (Hdc 1, 2 hdc in next st) x4. (2 hdc in next st, hdc 2)x3. (2 hdc in next st, hdc 1) x4. Hdc 2, 2 hdc in last st (48)

Rnds 5-17: Hdc in each st around. (48)

Rnd 18: (Hdc 6, inv hdc dec) x6. (42) 

Rnd 19: (Hdc 5, inv hdc dec) x6. (36) 

Rnd 20: (Hdc 4, inv hdc dec) x6. (30) 

Rnd 21: (Hdc 3, inv hdc dec) x6. (24)

Fill with stuffing here.

Rnd 22: (Hdc 2, inv hdc dec) x6. (18) 

Rnd 23: (Hdc 1, inv hdc dec) x6. (12)

Rnd 24: (Inv hdc dec) x6. (6) 

Fasten off. Sew the opening closed.

Finished body:

Nose – in dark & light brown

With dark brown, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: 6 sc into ring. (6)

Rnd 2: (Sc 2, inc) x2. (8)

Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (8)

Change to light brown.

Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (8)

Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x2. (10)

Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) x2. (12)

Rnd 7: (Sc 5, inc) x2. (14)

Rnds 8-9: Sc in each st around. (14)

Fasten off. Do not fill. Flatten the opening, then sew closed.

Finished nose:

Muzzle – in pink

With pink yarn, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: 6 sc into ring. (6)

Rnd 2: (Inc) x6. (12)

Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x6. (18)

Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (18)

Rnd 5: (Sc 2, inc) x6. (24)

Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. (24)

Muzzle and nose joining round:

Change to light brown.

Rnd 7: Sc 8. Place the nose on the last round of the muzzle. Working into both pieces together, sc 7. Sc 9 into muzzle by itself. (24)

Continue to the head without fastening off.

Muzzle by itself, then muzzle with the nose attached:

Head – continued in light brown

Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. (24)

Rnd 9: (Sc 7, inc) x3. (27)

Rnd 10: (Sc 8, inc) x3. (30)

Rnd 11: (Sc 9, inc) x3. (33)

Rnd 12: (Sc 10, inc) x3. (36)

Rnd 13: (Sc 5, inc) x6. (42)

Rnds 14-17: Sc in each st around. (42)

Attach eyes between rnd 15 and 16, with 20 sts in between.

Rnd 18: (Sc 6, inc) x6. (48)

Rnd 19: Sc in each st around. (48)

Rnd 20: (Sc 6, inv dec) x6. (42)

Rnd 21: (Sc 5, inv dec) x6. (36)

Rnd 22: (Sc 4, inv dec) x6. (30)

Rnd 23: (Sc 3, inv dec) x6. (24)

Fill with stuffing here.

Rnd 24: (Sc 2, inv dec) x6. (18)

Rnd 25: (Sc 1, inv dec) x6. (12)

Rnd 26: (Inv dec) x6. (6)

Fasten off. Sew the opening closed.

Finished head:

Ears – Make 2 in pink & 2 in light brown

(buy the PDF pattern to get a complete chart for the ear!)

With pink yarn, make a magic ring. 

Row 1: 3 sc into ring. Ch 1 and turn. (3)

Row 2: Inc, sc 1, inc. Ch 1 and turn. (5)

Row 3: Sc 5. Ch 1 and turn. (5)

Row 4: Inc, sc 3, inc. Ch 1 and turn. (7)

Row 5: Sc 7. Ch 1 and turn. (7)

Row 6: Inc, sc 5, inc. Ch 1 and turn. (9)

Row 7: Sc 9. Ch 1 and turn. (9)

Row 8: Inc, sc 7, inc. Ch 1 and turn. (11)

Rows 9-11: Sc 11. Ch 1 and turn (11)

Row 12: Inv dec, sc 7, inv dec. Ch 1 and turn. (9)

Row 13: Sc 9. Ch 1 and turn. (9)

Row 14: Inv dec, sc 5, inv dec. Ch 1 and turn. (7)

Row 15: Sc 7. Ch 1 and turn. (7)

Row 16: Inv dec, sc 3, inv dec. Ch 1 and turn. (5)

Row 17: Sc 9. Ch 1 and turn. (5) Fasten off.

After you have made 2 pink ears, Repeat Rows 1-17 to make 2 more with light brown yarn. Once you finish Row 17 in light brown, do not fasten off. Place the pink ear on top of the light brown ear and work into both pieces together. Follow the below steps to join (and see picture).

1. Ch 4, tr 4, dc 2, hdc 10.
2. 3 hdc into magic ring.
3. Hdc 10, dc 2, tr 5. Fasten off.
4. Join with a sl st to first tr to connect both ends of the ears.

First photo shows joining the ears & chaining 4, second photo shows joining the 2 sides of the triple crochets to form the bottom of the ear:

Tail – in pink & light brown 

With light brown (LB) yarn, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: 6 sc into ring. (6)

Rnd 2: LB sc 3. Join the Pink yarn (P) and sc 3. (6)

Rnd 3: LB (Inc) x3. P (Inc) 3x. (12)

Rnd 4: LB sc 6, P sc 6. (12)

Rnd 5: LB (Sc 1, inc) x3. P (Sc 1, inc) x3.(18)

Rnds 6-7: LB sc 9, P sc 9. (18)

Rnd 8: With LB only, sc in each st around. (18)

Fasten off. Fill with stuffing. Do not sew closed.

Finishing:

• Attach ears two sides of the head between rnds 19 and 21.
• Join front legs to the two sides of the body between rnds 3 and 5.
• Attach back legs between rnds 19 and 23 of the body.    
• Attach tail between rnds 18 and 22. Finally, attach head to body. 

FAQ

Is this a crochet baby deer?

This pattern can be used as a baby deer or a mama deer since it doesn’t have antlers. If you want it to be even smaller for a baby deer, you can always go down a yarn and hook size.

Could I use this as a crochet deer head?

If you’re looking for a deer head pattern to mount on a wall, you could use this pattern and just make the head. However, there are also lots of other patterns out there made specifically for this purpose. Those may work better.

Is this pattern toddler friendly?

This pattern is sure to be well loved by toddlers. However, be careful about using safety eyes with small children. If this is a concern for you, simply emroider the eyes on instead.

Conclusion

Perfect for a variety of crocheters, this crochet deer pattern includes detailed instructions. The end result is a fun, huggable deer that is sure to be a treasured addition to any stuffed animal collection. So grab your hook and yarn and start on this project right away!