Project introduction
This Reindeer Basket is a charming holiday decor piece designed for children’s rooms, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical storage for small items. The project captures the festive spirit with its reindeer motif, making it an ideal addition to seasonal decorations or gift-giving occasions.
Elisa Sartori of Elisa’s Crochet created this original pattern, which balances simplicity with visual impact. The basket serves as a functional container while doubling as a decorative element that brings warmth to any space during the holidays.
The design features distinct color blocking and textured details that mimic reindeer characteristics. These elements combine to create a recognizable silhouette that appeals to both young children and adults who appreciate handmade crafts.
For those seeking additional guidance, a downloadable ad-free PDF version is available for purchase on Etsy. This paid format includes 10 pages with more than 60 step-by-step pictures, schematics and tips to assist through the construction process. The free web version remains available separately on the designer’s site.
Here is the Crochet Pattern Overview!
The free web version of this pattern provides all essential information needed to complete the project successfully. It maintains accessibility while delivering comprehensive instructions suitable for beginners.
Key specifications include a finished height of about 8 in. tall (20 cm), requiring three main yarn colors from Lion Brand WOOL EASE THICK & QUICK. The gauge measurement is listed to help crafters check their tension against the designer’s standard.
Essential abbreviations used throughout the pattern include standard crochet terminology such as sc, hdc, dc, sl st, ch, rnd(s), rep, beg, and st(s). Familiarity with these terms will help readers navigate the instructions efficiently.
- Level: Beginner
- Size: About 8 in. tall (20 cm)
- Yarn: Lion Brand WOOL EASE THICK & QUICK (Art. # 640) in Fisherman (#099), Barley (#124J), and Fossil (#536A), one ball each
- Hook Sizes: M/N (9 mm) and J-10 (6 mm)
- Other Materials: Black Medium Worsted Yarn, Red Medium Worsted Yarn, Yarn Needle
- Gauge: 10 sc + 10 rows = about 4 in. (10 cm)
Basket
The basket base begins with color A using the larger hook, starting from a magic ring. Initial rounds establish the foundation by increasing stitch counts progressively until reaching 48 single crochets around the perimeter.
Rounds 1 through 6 build the circular base with systematic increases, transforming eight stitches into forty-eight. Round 7 works one slip stitch in each stitch around for a total of 48 stitches, and the piece is turned after that round to begin vertical construction.
Color B enters at Round 8, creating alternating blocks with color A. Rounds 8 through 10 feature fifteen stitches of B, eighteen of A, then fifteen of B again. This establishes the primary body structure.
Rounds 11 and 12 modify the distribution to split the central A section: fifteen B, eight A, two B, eight A, fifteen B, for 48 stitches. Rounds 13 and 14 further refine the color pattern by adjusting block widths. Round 13 uses sixteen B, six A, four B, six A, sixteen B (48 stitches). Round 14 employs seventeen B, four A, six B, four A, seventeen B (48 stitches).
Rounds 15 through 17 continue entirely in color B across forty-eight stitches. Round 18 completes the basket with a final slip stitch border before fastening off.
Black yarn embroiders eyes between Rounds 11 and 13, measuring four stitches long. This detail adds character without complicating the overall construction sequence.
EARS (make two)
Each ear requires color B and the smaller hook size. Row 1 begins with seven chains, working along both sides of the foundation chain to create symmetrical shapes.
The stitch sequence combines single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet variations. Working forward and backward along the chain produces sixteen total stitches per ear.
After completing each ear, fasten off leaving sufficient yarn tail for attachment. Both pieces are sewn to Round 18 of the basket on the external side using color B thread.
This placement ensures ears appear prominently when viewing the finished product from outside. The external positioning complements the internal attachment method used for antlers.
ANTLERS (make two)
Antlers utilize color C with the smaller hook, constructed from two separate horn components joined together. Each antler consists of a longer and shorter horn piece worked independently before assembly.
The Long Horn starts with six single crochets in a magic ring, continuing straight for five rounds before fastening off. The Short Horn follows identical beginning steps but works only four rounds without finishing.
Joining occurs at Round 6. The hook is inserted into any stitch of Round 5 on the Long Horn and a loop is drawn up, then single crochet is worked in that same stitch and the next five stitches. The work then moves into the stitches of the Short Horn, where single crochet is worked in the first stitch and the next five stitches, producing twelve single crochets across the combined edges.
Subsequent decreases reduce stitch count to eight, then six through strategic sc2tog techniques. Final shaping involves bringing last round edges together, matching first two stitches on each side, then working three single crochets through both thicknesses. Fasten off with long yarn strand for sewing.
Both antlers attach to Round 18 of the basket on the internal side using color C. This hidden placement creates natural-looking protrusions emerging from within the rim structure.
Nose
The nose component uses red yarn with the smaller hook, beginning from a magic ring. Round 1 follows a specific sequence: one single crochet, one half double crochet, then a repeat of three single crochets followed by one half double crochet worked twice, finishing with one half double crochet and two single crochets for a total of twelve stitches.
After completing the round, fasten off leaving ample yarn length for secure attachment to the basket body. Sewing positions the nose between Rounds 9 and 12 of the basket structure, ensuring proper facial proportion relative to other decorative elements like eyes and ears.
Elisa Sartori retains copyright over this original pattern, permitting personal use and sale of finished products with proper credit. Mass production and factory manufacturing remain prohibited under her licensing terms.
Readers may access complete instructions through the Original designer’s pattern and instructions. For related projects, explore the Santa Claus Crochet Pattern By Elisa’s Crochet: Pattern Overview.
