Reindeer Coffee Sleeve – Free Christmas Crochet Pattern

A Cute and Festive Crochet Coffee Cozy

Who can resist a cute reindeer during the holiday season? This Reindeer Coffee Sleeve brings one of Santa’s favorite helpers right to your coffee cup!

Not only is it adorable, but a handmade coffee sleeve is also a practical accessory. It provides an extra layer between your hand and your warm beverage while helping you skip disposable cardboard coffee sleeves.

Make one for yourself, crochet a few for friends and family, or create a matching set for everyone on your holiday gift list!

Related: I had so much fun with this little reindeer granny square that I also made a Reindeer Ear Warmer for kids and adults!

A Quick and Fun Christmas Crochet Project

If you’re looking for a small Christmas crochet project that doesn’t require a big time commitment, this reindeer coffee cozy is a great choice.

Small projects like this are wonderful for fitting a little crochet time into your busy holiday schedule. They’re also perfect for craft fairs, stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, coworker gifts, and thoughtful additions to a holiday gift basket.

Pair your finished coffee sleeve with a gift card to a favorite coffee shop for an easy handmade gift that any coffee lover will appreciate.

The Perfect Handmade Gift for Coffee Lovers

Handmade gifts don’t have to be big to be meaningful! This festive crochet coffee sleeve is a thoughtful way to add a personal touch to someone’s holiday season.

Here are a few fun ways to gift your finished reindeer coffee cozy:

• Coffee Lover Gift Basket: Pair it with a bag of specialty coffee, a cute mug, and some chocolate.
• Stocking Stuffer: Tuck one into a Christmas stocking for a fun handmade surprise.
• Teacher or Coworker Gift: Add a coffee shop gift card for an easy yet thoughtful present.
• Holiday Craft Fair: Make several in festive colors for your next holiday market.

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Abbreviations (U.S. Terms)

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• Alt-ch3 (or 1): alternate chain 3 (or 1)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• yo: yarn over
• MC: main color (Cream)
• CC1: contrasting color (Dark Brown)
• CC2: contrasting color (Light Brown)
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• Rep: repeat
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• Join yarn with a standing sc
• How to Work Color Changes Tutorial & Tips

Gauge

• In Granny Stitch pattern: 11 sts = 2.5″; 7 rows = 3″ ″
• See finished granny motif size at the end of the Reindeer Motif instructions.

Size

• Shown on a Standard 12oz size travel mug.
• Easily adjust the circumference to fit ANY size travel mug.

Pattern Notes

• I tend to crochet on the tighter side, if you crochet more loosely, you may need to go down a hook size or two to meet gauge. However, this is a pattern for a coffee sleeve and not a fancy sweater so gauge isn’t too terribly important.
• Beginning ch-3 is counted as a stitch and included in stitch count.
• Turning ch-1’s are not included in stitch count, unless stated otherwise.
• The first stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as turning chain, unless stated otherwise.
• How to Work Color Changes: Work all color changes on the final pull thru of the last stitch you’re working before the new color. Example: If the last st you’re working before a color change is a double crochet, begin your double crochet by inserting your hook where indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo with the NEW color, pull thru remaining 2 loops to complete the stitch. Then continue on with your new color.
• This coffee sleeve is worked from the top of the reindeer motif down. Then you work side to side along the vertical edge of the crochet reindeer motif to work the remainder of the sleeve.
• Other worsted weight / 4 yarns can be substituted as long as you meet gauge.
• Make sure to work all color changes on the WS of the crochet motif.
• Carry yarn when working the motif, but do not pull yarn floats tight or your gauge will be greatly affected. 
• Check out my Color Change Photo Tutorial for tips!

Special Stitch

• Alternate Ch-3 (alt-ch3): Complete last st of previous row, take loop off hook, insert hook into the space between the last dc and last 3 dc of previous row, put loop back on hook and pull thru space, turn, ch 3.

Crochet the Reindeer Coffee Sleeve – Written Pattern

Are you ready to add a little reindeer magic to your coffee routine?

Grab your crochet hook and yarn, and let’s get started! Follow the free crochet pattern below to make your own festive Reindeer Coffee Sleeve.

Reindeer Crochet Granny Square Motif

Note: The motif is worked upside down, from the antlers to his chin.

Row 1 (RS): With MC & 4.00mm hook, ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (11 sts) *Place a SM in the last st of Row 1 (before turning).

*Follow color chart below beginning with Row 2. Note that Row 2 is the WS. Make sure your color changes are worked on the WS.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc here & throughout), skip the first 2 sts, [3 dc in next st, skip next 2 sts] work from [ to ] twice, 3 dc in next st, skip next st, dc in the last st. Turn. (11 sts)

Row 3: Alt-ch3, dc in same sp, 3 dc in each of the next 2 sps, 2 dc in last sp. Turn. (10 sts)

Row 4: Ch 3, 3 dc in each of the next 3 sps, dc in the top of ch 3. (11 sts)

Rows 5 – 8: Rep Rows 3 – 4.

Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (11 sts)

Do not fasten off. Continue below to the Stretchy Ribbing.

Your reindeer motif should measure 2-1/2″ W x 3-1/2″ H.

Note: The photos below are of the heart motif, from my Love at First Sip Coffee Sleeve, but the techniques shown are the same for this one.

Stretchy Ribbing

Gauge: Stitch pattern as written with 4mm crochet hook, 17 sts = 3″

Row 1 (MC): RS facing you, rotate to work along the long edge, ch 1 (place a SM in the ch-1 to make it easier to find at the end of row 2), work 1 sc into the side of Row 9 of motif, work 2 sc into the side of each dc row, then work 1 sc into the side of Row 1. (16 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, working in the BLO sl st in each st across, then sl st into the BLO of the ch-1 from Row 1. Fasten off MC and weave in ends. Turn. (17 sts)

Row 3: Join CC1 with a standing sc into the BLO of the 1st st, working in the BLO sc in each st across. Turn. (17 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, working in the BLO sl st in each st across. Turn. (17 sts)

Row 5: Ch 1, working in the BLO sc in each st across. Turn. (17 sts)

Repeat Rows 4 – 5 (ending with a Row 5 rep) until the entire length of your coffee sleeve measures approximately 8.5″.

Fasten off and weave in ends. Continue below to the Right Side Motif Edging.

Right Side Motif Edging

Row 1: With RS facing you, join MC yarn with a standing sc in the st with the SM from Row 1 of the reindeer motif, work 1 more sc into the same st, work 2 sc into the side of each dc row and 1 sc into the side of the sc row. Turn. (17 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, working in the BLO, sl st in each st across. (17 sts)

Fasten off leaving a 10″ tail of yarn. Continue below to Seam.

Seam

With RS facing, use a yarn needle and the tail of yarn, whipstitch the BLO of Row 2 of the right side motif edging to both loops of the last row of the stretchy ribbing. Weave in ends.

Button (optional)

Using a needle and thread, sew the button on as shown in the photos.