How to Crochet Reindeer Antlers

Crocheting reindeer antlers starts with a simple chain stitch and branches out from there.

Perhaps you need to dress up your dog in an effort to raid Whoville of its Christmas presents. Or your toddler has his holidays confused and wants to be Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for Halloween. Or maybe you just have a plain headband that needs some sprucing up. Whatever the true reason for needing to make your own reindeer antlers, crocheting them is an option. Crocheting enables you to create as you go, in an organic way.

Things You'll Need

• Fingering-weight yarn
• Crochet hook, size G
• Stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Hot glue gun
• Glue sticks
• Plastic headband

Instructions

1. Chain 10 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch by creating a single crochet stitch. Single-crochet stitch all the way around. Continue stitching in single-crochet until the piece measures 2 inches.

2. Divide the antler into two branches by crocheting halfway around and then creating five chain stitches. Single-crochet into the stitch directly across from the last single crochet stitch you made. Continue around this new branch until you want to either cap it off or branch off again. You can crochet multiple branches; just be sure you aren’t creating a rack of antlers that will be too heavy to stand upright. To cap off, cut the yarn, leaving a 4-inch tail; weave the tail through all stitches in the last row with the tapestry needle and pull it through the center.

3. Pick up the stitches left when branching off by inserting the crochet hook through the first single-crochet stitch and pulling a new strand of yarn through it. Continue crocheting all remaining single-crochet stitches and then finish the round by single-crocheting around the other side of the five chain stitches created when you branched off. Single-crochet this branch for as long as you prefer, branching or capping it off as you see fit.

4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the second antler, maintaining the same pattern of branching and capping off to ensure the antlers are symmetrical.

5. Stuff the antlers, packing the stuffing tightly to give the antlers body and enable them to stand upright. Plug in the glue gun and allow it to warm up.

6. Apply hot glue to the open bottom portion of the first antler, covering all exposed stuffing and the inside of the first crocheted row of stitches. Attach it to the headband in the appropriate spot, making sure the portions branching out are pointing in the right direction. Do the same for the second antler.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want your headband to match the antlers, wrap the headband in the same yarn, applying a small amount of hot glue as you go. Then attach the antlers.