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A square green pillow with a pixel reindeer face, dark brown antlers, a dark nose and cream snow dots around it.

Free Christmas pattern

Reindeer tapestry crochet pillow

64 × 74 stitches, 6 yarns, single crochet. Fits a 16 in (40 cm) pillow insert when your gauge is 4 stitches per inch.

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About 7 pages to print

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A reindeer looks out from the green background of this Christmas pillow cover, with dark brown antlers, big ears lined with cream, rosy cheeks, and a dark nose above a cream muzzle. Cream stars and single-stitch flakes of snow are scattered all around it. You start at the bottom with easy rows of green and the cream muzzle, and the face above is a wide block of brown with dark brown shading down one side. The antlers come last and are the slowest part: each one has three points, and the top rows switch between brown and green up to 12 times.

The chart

The reindeer pillow chart: 64 stitches by 74 rows in 6 yarns, with row and stitch numbers
  • Green 3050 stitches
  • Brown 884 stitches
  • Dark brown 457 stitches
  • Cream 240 stitches
  • Graphite 93 stitches
  • Red 12 stitches

Other sizes

Your gaugeFront panel size
14 stitches in 4 in (10 cm)18.3 × 18.4 in (46.4 × 46.7 cm)
16 stitches in 4 in (10 cm) (this pattern)16 × 16.1 in (40.6 × 40.9 cm)
18 stitches in 4 in (10 cm)14.2 × 14.3 in (36.1 × 36.3 cm)
20 stitches in 4 in (10 cm)12.8 × 12.9 in (32.5 × 32.7 cm)

Working at a different gauge? Enter it in the size calculator with 64 stitches and 74 rows.

How to make it

Yarn and hook

Start with worsted weight yarn (medium, 4) and a 4 mm (US G-6) or 4.5 mm (US 7) hook. A hook one or two sizes smaller than the yarn label suggests makes a denser fabric that hides the carried strands. Swatch in two colors and measure: if you get more than 4 stitches per inch, go up a hook size; if you get fewer, go down.

Reading the chart

Each box in the chart is one single crochet stitch. The boxes are drawn a little wider than they are tall, so the chart matches the pillow's proportions. For a 16-inch (40 cm) square, aim for 16 stitches and about 18.5 rows in 4 inches (10 cm).

  • Row 1 is at the bottom.
  • Read odd rows (right side) from right to left and even rows (wrong side) from left to right.
  • Row numbers sit on the side where that row starts; stitch numbers count from the right.
  • Left-handed? Read every row the other way, on the chart and in the rows written out, and the picture still comes out as charted.

New to charts? How to read a tapestry crochet chart shows which way each row goes on a small sailboat.

Chain 65 in the first color for row 1. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work row 1 for a total of 64 stitches. Chain 1 and turn between rows. In the rows written out, each row's colors are listed in the order you work them.

Carrying the colors

Lay the unused colors along the top of the row below and crochet over them, so they ride inside the stitches. Change color on the final pull-through of the stitch before the new color begins: with two loops on the hook, pull the new color through both. Keep the carried strands relaxed so the fabric does not pucker. When you will not use a color for several rows, cut it, leave a tail, and join it again where it next appears.

The back

Crochet a second panel of 64 stitches by 74 rows in one color, and check it against the front: plain single crochet can come out a different size, so change the hook or the number of rows until the two match. Or sew on a fabric back cut to the front's size plus seam allowance; for an envelope back, use two hemmed pieces that overlap.

Assembling the pillow

Weave in the tails, then gently block the front to 16 inches (40 cm) square, following the care instructions on the yarn label. Put the panels wrong sides together and join three sides with single crochet or whip stitch through both edges. Push in a 16-inch (40 cm) pillow insert (a cushion pad in the UK) and close the fourth side the same way.

The rows written out

Show all 74 rows
  1. Row 1 (RS): 64 Green
  2. Row 2 (WS): 64 Green
  3. Row 3 (RS): 2 Green, 1 Cream, 61 Green
  4. Row 4 (WS): 2 Green, 1 Cream, 41 Green, 1 Cream, 19 Green
  5. Row 5 (RS): 29 Green, 6 Dark brown, 29 Green
  6. Row 6 (WS): 27 Green, 6 Brown, 4 Dark brown, 27 Green
  7. Row 7 (RS): 26 Green, 2 Dark brown, 8 Cream, 2 Brown, 26 Green
  8. Row 8 (WS): 21 Green, 1 Cream, 4 Green, 1 Brown, 10 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 15 Green, 1 Cream, 10 Green
  9. Row 9 (RS): 9 Green, 3 Cream, 13 Green, 14 Cream, 25 Green
  10. Row 10 (WS): 10 Green, 1 Cream, 13 Green, 1 Brown, 14 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 13 Green, 1 Cream, 10 Green
  11. Row 11 (RS): 24 Green, 1 Dark brown, 6 Cream, 2 Graphite, 6 Cream, 1 Brown, 12 Green, 3 Cream, 9 Green
  12. Row 12 (WS): 10 Green, 1 Cream, 13 Green, 1 Brown, 5 Cream, 1 Graphite, 2 Cream, 1 Graphite, 5 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 24 Green
  13. Row 13 (RS): 23 Green, 1 Dark brown, 16 Cream, 1 Brown, 23 Green
  14. Row 14 (WS): 23 Green, 1 Brown, 7 Cream, 2 Graphite, 7 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 23 Green
  15. Row 15 (RS): 23 Green, 1 Dark brown, 1 Brown, 4 Cream, 6 Graphite, 4 Cream, 2 Brown, 23 Green
  16. Row 16 (WS): 22 Green, 3 Brown, 3 Cream, 8 Graphite, 3 Cream, 1 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 22 Green
  17. Row 17 (RS): 22 Green, 2 Dark brown, 1 Brown, 2 Cream, 10 Graphite, 2 Cream, 3 Brown, 22 Green
  18. Row 18 (WS): 22 Green, 4 Brown, 1 Cream, 3 Graphite, 1 Cream, 6 Graphite, 1 Cream, 2 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 7 Green, 1 Cream, 14 Green
  19. Row 19 (RS): 22 Green, 1 Dark brown, 4 Brown, 1 Cream, 8 Graphite, 1 Cream, 6 Brown, 21 Green
  20. Row 20 (WS): 21 Green, 7 Brown, 1 Cream, 6 Graphite, 1 Cream, 5 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 21 Green
  21. Row 21 (RS): 20 Green, 2 Dark brown, 22 Brown, 20 Green
  22. Row 22 (WS): 13 Green, 1 Cream, 6 Green, 22 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 20 Green
  23. Row 23 (RS): 19 Green, 2 Dark brown, 24 Brown, 19 Green
  24. Row 24 (WS): 19 Green, 24 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 19 Green
  25. Row 25 (RS): 19 Green, 1 Dark brown, 26 Brown, 18 Green
  26. Row 26 (WS): 18 Green, 1 Brown, 3 Red, 20 Brown, 3 Red, 1 Dark brown, 11 Green, 1 Cream, 6 Green
  27. Row 27 (RS): 5 Green, 3 Cream, 10 Green, 1 Dark brown, 3 Red, 20 Brown, 3 Red, 1 Brown, 18 Green
  28. Row 28 (WS): 17 Green, 28 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 11 Green, 1 Cream, 6 Green
  29. Row 29 (RS): 17 Green, 2 Dark brown, 28 Brown, 17 Green
  30. Row 30 (WS): 6 Green, 1 Cream, 10 Green, 28 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 17 Green
  31. Row 31 (RS): 17 Green, 2 Dark brown, 28 Brown, 9 Green, 3 Cream, 5 Green
  32. Row 32 (WS): 6 Green, 1 Cream, 10 Green, 29 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 17 Green
  33. Row 33 (RS): 17 Green, 1 Dark brown, 5 Brown, 3 Graphite, 12 Brown, 3 Graphite, 6 Brown, 17 Green
  34. Row 34 (WS): 16 Green, 6 Brown, 5 Graphite, 10 Brown, 5 Graphite, 4 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 17 Green
  35. Row 35 (RS): 17 Green, 1 Dark brown, 4 Brown, 5 Graphite, 10 Brown, 5 Graphite, 6 Brown, 16 Green
  36. Row 36 (WS): 16 Green, 6 Brown, 1 Graphite, 1 Cream, 3 Graphite, 10 Brown, 1 Graphite, 1 Cream, 3 Graphite, 4 Brown, 2 Dark brown, 16 Green
  37. Row 37 (RS): 13 Green, 5 Dark brown, 5 Brown, 3 Graphite, 12 Brown, 3 Graphite, 7 Brown, 3 Dark brown, 13 Green
  38. Row 38 (WS): 10 Green, 36 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 4 Brown, 3 Dark brown, 10 Green
  39. Row 39 (RS): 8 Green, 2 Dark brown, 2 Brown, 5 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 30 Brown, 4 Cream, 4 Brown, 8 Green
  40. Row 40 (WS): 7 Green, 3 Brown, 6 Cream, 30 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 7 Cream, 3 Dark brown, 7 Green
  41. Row 41 (RS): 5 Green, 3 Dark brown, 9 Cream, 1 Dark brown, 30 Brown, 8 Cream, 3 Brown, 5 Green
  42. Row 42 (WS): 4 Green, 3 Brown, 8 Cream, 31 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 2 Brown, 8 Cream, 2 Dark brown, 5 Green
  43. Row 43 (RS): 4 Green, 2 Brown, 7 Cream, 5 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 32 Brown, 7 Cream, 2 Brown, 4 Green
  44. Row 44 (WS): 3 Green, 13 Brown, 2 Green, 27 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 1 Green, 13 Brown, 1 Dark brown, 3 Green
  45. Row 45 (RS): 3 Green, 1 Dark brown, 11 Brown, 4 Green, 26 Brown, 4 Green, 12 Brown, 3 Green
  46. Row 46 (WS): 6 Green, 6 Brown, 8 Green, 24 Brown, 8 Green, 6 Brown, 6 Green
  47. Row 47 (RS): 21 Green, 22 Brown, 21 Green
  48. Row 48 (WS): 22 Green, 20 Brown, 22 Green
  49. Row 49 (RS): 24 Green, 16 Brown, 24 Green
  50. Row 50 (WS): 24 Green, 4 Dark brown, 8 Brown, 4 Dark brown, 24 Green
  51. Row 51 (RS): 24 Green, 4 Dark brown, 8 Green, 4 Dark brown, 24 Green
  52. Row 52 (WS): 24 Green, 4 Dark brown, 8 Green, 4 Dark brown, 24 Green
  53. Row 53 (RS): 23 Green, 4 Dark brown, 10 Green, 4 Dark brown, 23 Green
  54. Row 54 (WS): 23 Green, 4 Dark brown, 10 Green, 4 Dark brown, 23 Green
  55. Row 55 (RS): 22 Green, 5 Dark brown, 10 Green, 6 Dark brown, 21 Green
  56. Row 56 (WS): 2 Green, 1 Cream, 15 Green, 8 Dark brown, 12 Green, 8 Dark brown, 18 Green
  57. Row 57 (RS): 16 Green, 10 Dark brown, 12 Green, 10 Dark brown, 16 Green
  58. Row 58 (WS): 15 Green, 11 Dark brown, 12 Green, 11 Dark brown, 15 Green
  59. Row 59 (RS): 14 Green, 11 Dark brown, 14 Green, 11 Dark brown, 14 Green
  60. Row 60 (WS): 13 Green, 5 Dark brown, 1 Green, 5 Dark brown, 16 Green, 4 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 13 Green
  61. Row 61 (RS): 3 Green, 1 Cream, 8 Green, 5 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 16 Green, 5 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 12 Green
  62. Row 62 (WS): 11 Green, 5 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 18 Green, 5 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 6 Green, 3 Cream, 2 Green
  63. Row 63 (RS): 3 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 4 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 20 Green, 5 Dark brown, 2 Green, 4 Dark brown, 11 Green
  64. Row 64 (WS): 10 Green, 5 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 19 Green, 6 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 10 Green
  65. Row 65 (RS): 9 Green, 5 Dark brown, 2 Green, 7 Dark brown, 18 Green, 7 Dark brown, 2 Green, 5 Dark brown, 4 Green, 1 Cream, 4 Green
  66. Row 66 (WS): 3 Green, 3 Cream, 3 Green, 4 Dark brown, 3 Green, 7 Dark brown, 18 Green, 7 Dark brown, 3 Green, 4 Dark brown, 9 Green
  67. Row 67 (RS): 10 Green, 2 Dark brown, 3 Green, 8 Dark brown, 9 Green, 1 Cream, 8 Green, 8 Dark brown, 3 Green, 2 Dark brown, 5 Green, 1 Cream, 4 Green
  68. Row 68 (WS): 15 Green, 4 Dark brown, 1 Green, 3 Dark brown, 7 Green, 3 Cream, 8 Green, 3 Dark brown, 1 Green, 4 Dark brown, 15 Green
  69. Row 69 (RS): 14 Green, 5 Dark brown, 1 Green, 4 Dark brown, 8 Green, 1 Cream, 7 Green, 4 Dark brown, 1 Green, 5 Dark brown, 14 Green
  70. Row 70 (WS): 14 Green, 4 Dark brown, 3 Green, 3 Dark brown, 16 Green, 3 Dark brown, 3 Green, 4 Dark brown, 14 Green
  71. Row 71 (RS): 2 Green, 1 Cream, 10 Green, 5 Dark brown, 3 Green, 3 Dark brown, 16 Green, 3 Dark brown, 3 Green, 5 Dark brown, 13 Green
  72. Row 72 (WS): 13 Green, 4 Dark brown, 4 Green, 3 Dark brown, 13 Green, 1 Cream, 2 Green, 3 Dark brown, 4 Green, 4 Dark brown, 13 Green
  73. Row 73 (RS): 14 Green, 2 Dark brown, 32 Green, 2 Dark brown, 14 Green
  74. Row 74 (WS): 64 Green

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