Free Crochet Reindeer Bookmark Pattern For Holiday

Bring a little Christmas magic to your reading time with this adorable crochet reindeer bookmark. Featuring tiny antlers, cute ears, and a bright red nose, this festive design is both decorative and useful.

It slips neatly between the pages of your favorite book, making it a fun holiday accessory for yourself. Or a thoughtful handmade gift for friends, teachers, and fellow book lovers. It’s a small crochet piece that captures the warmth and joy of the season.

Crochet Reindeer Bookmark Pattern

This beginner-friendly pattern comes together with basic crochet stitches and only a small amount of yarn. You’ll crochet the reindeer face first, then attach the long bookmark strip for a neat finish. It’s a relaxing crochet piece that’s quick to complete, making it perfect for holiday crafting sessions. Before you know it, you’ll have a cheerful reindeer ready to keep your place in every Christmas story.

Credit Anutha – The Crochet World

Materials & Tools Needed

• Yarn: 100% milk cotton yarn (or any 100% cotton yarn)
• Hook: 3 mm crochet hook
• Needle: For finishing and attaching the nose
• Scissors: For cutting yarn ends

Finished Size & Customization Ideas

• Finished Size: Approximate size depends on your yarn and hook combination.
• Customization:
  • You can change the strap length by adjusting the chain count during the strap step.
  • Use different colors for the reindeer’s nose (e.g., red for a festive Rudolph look or black/brown for a classic design).

Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology

• ch: Chain
• sc: Single Crochet
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• st(s): Stitch(es)
• dec: Decrease
• magic circle: Magic ring to start your project
• yo: Yarn over

Note: The pattern follows U.S. crochet terminology.

Step-by-Step Detailed Crochet Instructions

Reindeer Head Component

Round 1:

1. Begin with a magic circle:
   • Wrap yarn around fingers and create the base for the circle.
2. Chain 1 to secure (this ch 1 does not count as a st).
3. Crochet 6 sc into the magic circle.
4. Pull the loose end tight to close the circle.
5. Join with a sl st into the first sc.

Round 2:

1. Ch 1 to start.
2. In the first stitch, crochet 2 sc. Repeat into every stitch around (increase).
3. At the end of Round 2, you should have 12 sc.
4. Finish with a sl st into the first sc.

Round 3:

1. Ch 1 to start.
2. Begin the round with 1 sc in the first stitch, then 2 sc in the next.
3. Continue the pattern: 1 sc, 2 sc into each stitch around.
4. End with 18 sc total.
5. Finish with a sl st into the first sc.

Round 4:

1. Ch 1 to start.
2. Work this pattern: [1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc] into stitches around.
3. Continue repeating the sequence: 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc.
4. By the end of the round, you’ll finish with 24 sc.
5. Join with a sl st, then fasten off to complete the head.

Bookmark Strap

Creating the Strap:

1. Attach yarn to any stitch on the head.
2. Ch 40 (or more/less depending on your desired length for the bookmark strap).

Second Row:

1. Skip the first chain and insert the hook into the second chain.
2. Work the following stitches in this sequence:
   • 2 sc into the second chain.
   • 1 half double crochet (hdc).
   • 2 double crochet (dc).
   • 2 dc into the same chain.
3. Turn the strap slightly and repeat the same sequence:
   • 2 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc.
4. Add sl st, and finish off.

Slip Stitch Row:

1. Working along the back of the chain strap:
   • Insert hook into the back loop of the chain.
   • Create sl st into each chain (total: 38 slip stitches).
2. Fasten off the strap.

Adding the Nose

Round 1:

1. Using red yarn, begin with a magic circle.
2. Ch 1.
3. Work 6 sc into the circle.
4. Pull to close the circle and secure it.

Round 2:

1. Ch 1.
2. Work 2 sc into each stitch around.
3. At the end of Round 2, you should have 12 sc.

Round 3:

1. Begin by decreasing:
   • Work 1 sc into each of the first two sts.
   • Dec: Insert hook into the front loop of the next two stitches, yarn over and pull through all three loops.
2. Repeat the pattern of 2 sc, dec around the circle.
3. You should end up with 9 sc.
4. Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the nose onto the reindeer’s head.

Attaching the Nose

1. Position the nose on Round 2 of the reindeer head.
2. Use the tail and a needle to sew around the edge of the nose:
   • Ensure stitches are clean and tight.
   • Hide the tail inside the nose once finished.

Creating Horns

1. On stitch 12, ch 5:
   • Work sl st into the 2nd chain.
   • Continue sl st into the next chain.
2. Ch 3, turn, and repeat the stitch pattern for the horns.
3. Repeat horn creation on stitch 18.

Finishing the Bookmark

1. Tightly weave in all loose ends from each component (strap, horns, and nose).
2. Inspect the bookmark for any unevenness or loose tails.

Video Tutorial