Reindeer Kitchen Towel – Free Crochet Towel Pattern
Ever since designing my very first character Christmas towel in 2019, (the Snowman Kitchen Towel), I’ve wanted to design a reindeer towel to coordinate. The wait is finally over! You can find the free crochet pattern for the Reindeer Kitchen Towel in this post below, or an ad-free print friendly version on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or on Etsy here.
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Crochet Character Keyhole Towels
Since designing my first crochet Christmas towel, I’ve received requests for all sorts of characters for the different holidays. The following are the character keyhole towels I’ve designed to date. They can all be found on my blog by clicking the links below:
- Ghost Kitchen Towel
- Frankenstein’s Monster Kitchen Towel
- Kitty Cat Kitchen Towel
- Turkey Kitchen Towel
- Snowman Kitchen Towel
- Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel
- Santa Kitchen Towel
- Mrs. Claus Kitchen Towel
- Reindeer Kitchen Towel – in this blog post below!
- Elf Kitchen Towel
- Buffalo Plaid Moose Kitchen Towel
- Leprechaun Kitchen Towel
- Easter Bunny Towel & Washcloth Set
Non-Character Crochet Stay Put / Keyhole Towels
I’ve also designed several other crochet kitchen towels that are not characters.
You’ll find a variety of styles to match your home. Styles range from buffalo plaid to farmhouse to basic keyhole towel patterns that you can customize to match your home’s decor.
You can find all non-character keyhole towel patterns here: Free Crochet Kitchen Towel Patterns
YARN
Cotton is the go-to fiber for crochet dish cloths, dish towels, and hand towels as it’s the most absorbent. There are several cotton yarns out there that would be perfect for this project, but I chose to use Lily Sugar n’ Cream 100% worsted weight cotton yarn. Lily Sugar n’ Cream is available in 39 colors so I was able to find all of the colors I needed for this project within the same yarn line.
REINDEER KITCHEN TOWEL – FREE CROCHET TOWEL PATTERN
The free pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, or need to order your yarn, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF that includes all photo tutorials, on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or Etsy here.
Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.
Pin it for later here.
This post contains affiliate links.
Materials
- Yarn: Yarn I used for my sample is Lily Sugar n’ Cream; 4 / Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn; (100% cotton / 120 yards / 70.9 g / 109 m / 2.5 oz )
- Jute (light brown): 160 yards
- Black: 6 yards
- Red: 4 yards
- Cream: 5 yards
- White: 1 yard
- Crochet Hooks: H/8/5.00mm; G/6/4.00mm; J/10/6.00mm (my favorite hooks are Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
- Measuring Tape
- (2) 18mm Black Safety Eyes – Optional (instructions included for yarn eyes)
- (3) Mini Jingle Bells – Optional
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Many of the materials are available for purchase through our affiliates:
Lily Sugar 'N Cream Super S...Shop on Amazon 
Clover Amour Crochet Hook: ...Shop on Amazon 
50PCS 18MM Solid Black Plas...Shop on Amazon 
Hao Pro 6mm Diameter Jingle...Shop on Amazon 
FISKARS All Purpose Scissor...Shop on Amazon 
Lion Brand Yarn 400-5-5002 ...Shop on Amazon
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch(s): chain
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- Join with a standing sc: (click here for tutorial)
- RS: right side / WS: wrong side
- Rep: repeat
Gauge
- In sc with a 5.00 mm hook: 8 sts = 2″; 8 rows = 2″
- In pattern stitch (sc in next, dc in next): 9 sts = 3.125″; 7 rows = 3″
Size
- One Size: 9″ W x 17″ L (not including the head)
Notes
- Beginning chains are not counted as a stitch or included in stitch count.
- The first stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain, unless stated otherwise.
- Yarn Notes: Lily Sugar n’ Cream worsted weight cotton yarn was used for the sample, 100% Cotton (120 yards / 109 m / 71 g / 2.5 oz).
- Yardage:
- Jute (Light Brown): 160 yards
- Black: 6 yards
- Red: 4 yards
- Cream: 5 yards
- White: 1 yard
- This dish towel is constructed by first making a half circle for the head. You’ll then work the body of the towel from top down. Lastly, you’ll add facial features.
Special Stitches
- Join with a standing sc: When instructed to “Join with a standing sc”, begin with a slip knot on your hook. Insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook. (click here for tutorial)
Reindeer Kitchen Towel Instructions
Head
Row 1 (RS): With light brown yarn & a 5.00 mm hook, ch 2, work 4 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st across. Turn. (8 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next st, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next st, rep from * across. Turn. (12 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (16 sts)
Row 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (20 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 4 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 4 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (24 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 5 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 5 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (28 sts)
Row 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 6 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 6 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (32 sts)
Row 9: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 7 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 7 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (36 sts)
Row 10: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the net 8 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 8 sts, rep from * across. Turn. (40 sts)
Row 11: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 9 sts, * 2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 9 sts, rep from * across. Do not Turn. (44 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue on to Body of Towel. Approximate width of head at this point is 6.5″.
Body of Towel
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, work 1 sc into the side of each row across half circle, also add 1 sc in the center ch. Turn. (23 sts)
Row 2: Ch 20, skip 22 sts, join with sl st in the 23rd st. Turn. (20 chs) See photo below, right.
Row 3: Switch to a 6.00 mm crochet hook, ch 1, working into the back hump of the ch, work 2 sc in the first ch, sc in each of next 18 chs, 2 sc in last ch. Turn. (22 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, (sc, dc) in each of the first 2 sts, (sc in the next st, dc in the next st) 9 times, (sc, dc) in each of the last 2 sts. Turn. (26 sts)
Rows 5 – 48: Ch 1, sc in the first st, dc in the next st, * sc in the next st, dc in the next st, rep from * across. Turn. Switch to black yarn at the end of Row 48.
Approximate length at this point is 16” from Row 2 of Body of Towel.
Rows 49- 50: With black yarn, ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to White Fur Details.
White Fur Details
Tip! An easy way to find the RS of the towel is to lay it in front of you as shown below with the RS of the head facing you. Then fold the towel up. After folding the towel up like shown below, the side facing you is the RS of the Body of Towel.
Row 1 (RS): With a 6.00mm hook and white yarn, add a row of surface crochet on top of the stitches from Row 48 of Body of Towel (this is the last row of light brown). Click HERE for photo tutorial.
Weave in ends. Continue on to Muzzle.
Muzzle
Note: Muzzle is worked in continuous rounds (spiral). I suggest using a scrap of yarn as a stitch marker to help keep track of rounds.
Rnd 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook and cream yarn, ch 4, 3 sc in 2nd ch from your hook, sc in the next ch, 3 sc in the last ch, rotate to work on the opposite side of the ch, sc in the next ch. Do not join. (8 sts) Begin using a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning and ending of rounds.
Rnd 2: (2 sc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in the next st) twice. (14 sts)
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew the muzzle onto the face. Continue on to Antlers.
Antlers (Make 2)
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook & cream yarn, ch 4, working into the back hump of the foundation ch, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in the next ch, (ch 5, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in each of the next 2 chs) twice, ch 5, sl st in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in the next ch, hdc in each of the next 2 chs, ch 1, rotate to work into the sides of the sts, work 1 sc into the side of the hdc, sc in the next ch, (sc in the side of the next sc, sc in each of the next 2 chs) 3 times.
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew the antlers onto the face. Continue on to Ears.
Ears (Make 2)
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook and light brown yarn, ch 3, dc into the 3rd ch from your hook, ch 2, sl st into the 2nd ch from your hook, dc into the same ch as previous dc, ch 3, sl st into same ch as dc’s.
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew the ears onto the face. Continue on to Neck.
Neck
First, use stitch markers to mark the centermost 8 sts at the bottom of the head.
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00mm crochet hook and light brown yarn, join yarn with a standing sc (click HERE for tutorial) in the BLO of the st marked with SM to the right, BLO sc in each of the next 7 sts. ( 8 sts)
Fasten off. Continue on to Collar.
Collar
Row 1 (RS): With 5.00 mm crochet hook and red colored yarn, join yarn with a standing sc in the BLO of the 1st st of Row 1 of the neck, BLO sc in the same st, BLO sc in each st across to the last st, BLO 2 sc in the last st. Turn. (10 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Sew on jingle bells. Then continue on to Red Nose.
Red Nose
Rnd 1 (RS): With a 4.00 mm crochet hook and red yarn, ch 2, work 6 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (6 sts)
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew the nose onto the face. Continue on to Facial Features.
Optional: Yarn Eyes (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With black yarn and a 5.00 mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 6 hdc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the first st. (6 sts)
Fasten off leaving a 10” tail for sewing. Weave in beginning tail end. Eyes are approximately .75″ in diameter.
Facial Features
Eyes: Center and attach the eyes (snap on 18mm safety eyes or sew on yarn eyes) on the reindeer’s head as shown in the photo below. I placed mine between the stitches of Rows 4 & 5 of the head with 1″ between them.
Muzzle: Center the muzzle on the reindeer’s head as shown in the photo below. Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to sew it onto his head. Weave in ends.
Nose: Position the red nose on top of the muzzle as shown in the photos. Using a yarn needle and tail of yarn, attach the nose to the muzzle.
Mouth: Using a yarn needle and 6″ piece of cotton black yarn, make an upside down “T” to resemble a mouth.
Antlers: Position the antlers on the reindeer’s head as shown in the photo below. 1 antler will be attached with its RS facing and the other antler will be attached with its WS facing. Use a yarn needle and tail of yarn to sew them onto the head. Weave in ends.
Ears: Position the ears as shown in the photo below. Us a yarn needle and tail of yarn to attach the ears to the reindeer’s head. Weave in ends.
Collar: Evenly space 3 jingle bells and sew them on using a needle and thread.
Now that I’ve completed my Reindeer Kitchen Towel, how do I hang it up?
The photos below are of the Gingerbread Man Kitchen Towel, but the steps are the same.
Step 1 (photo A): With the reindeer looking at you, insert your hand behind his head and through the hole. Bring the bottom edge of the towel, up and over the oven door handle from behind it.
Step 2 (photo B): Grab the bottom edge of the towel and pull it through the hole.
Step 3 (photo C): Pull the body of the towel all the way down to secure it. Step back and enjoy your talents!
MORE FREE CROCHET PATTERNS FROM A CROCHETED SIMPLICITY
If you enjoy this crochet pattern for your kitchen, you may enjoy these other projects as well. And if you just want to browse, you can find all of our free crochet patterns HERE.
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Good afternoon! Was wondering when mrs chai’s n elf are coming
I am absolutely LOVING your towels!!! I’m making the Reindeer and Gingerbread Man for my sister for Christmas and I have a question about the muzzle. I’m confused by the instructions to make a spiral: “rotate to work on the opposite side of the ch”? I’m not sure what that looks like and there’s no video tutorial I can find. Also, how do we have a spiral without joining? Am I correct in assuming I just crochet in the first sc and keep going? Thanks so much!!!
I love your character towels! I received this one as a Christmas gift this year from a friend. He is so cute and I am so delighted! I’ve got him hanging as a display; I don’t have the heart to actually wipe my hands on him.
I use my for decoration only too. I can’t bring myself to use them. lol
I think this Reindeer Kitchen towel is so cute. I didn’t have time to make it this year but will definitely be making it in 2024 as a gift for my daughter.
I hope I win the New Year Giveaway.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Hard to choose which pattern to comment on! I LOVE all of the towels!!
I made 3 of these as Christmas gifts. They turned out super cute!! Thank you for the adorable pattern.
I absolutely love these types of towels! The reindeer is so adorable, I can’t wait to make this one. I love the idea of the keyhole so it can’t slide off as I open and close the oven! Thank you so much Jennifer!
Your towels are just so darn cute! Love them all, but this guy gets my vote!