Crochet Reindeer Jingle Bell Ornament
Add a charming, festive touch to your Christmas tree or holiday decor with a crochet reindeer jingle bell ornament.
The holiday season is the perfect time to bring out your crochet hooks and create adorable handmade crochet Christmas tree decor. And best of all, crochet ornaments are super quick crochet projects!
The crochet reindeer jingle bell ornament pattern is free in the post below, or you can find an ad-free print friendly version (that includes all photo tutorials) on Ravelry, or on Etsy (aff).
Why Choose a Crochet Reindeer Jingle Bell Ornament?
Crochet ornaments are a delightful way to personalize your DIY holiday decorations with timeless keepsakes. Here’s why you’ll love this project:
- Uniqueness: Each ornament is a one-of-a-kind creation that adds character to your holiday decor.
- Eco-Friendly: Skip the mass-produced plastic and opt for a handmade, reusable decoration that becomes a family heirloom.
- Great Gifts: These ornaments make thoughtful gifts for family, friends, and coworkers.
Jingle Bell Alternatives
If you don’t have jingle bells and can’t find them anywhere close to you, here are a few great alternatives (see photos of all options near the end of this blog post):
- Big Yarn Pom: The cheapest alternative is to make a big yarn pom and they’re super easy to make with the help of yarn pom makers!
- Shatterproof Ornaments (plain): Another great options is to use a small 2.5″ diameter shatterproof ornament and hot glue the crocheted character to the top of it. You can find these ornaments in dollar stores and big box stores. If you have neither, there are lots of options on Amazon too.
- Shatterproof Ornaments (decorative): Same as option 2 above, but these are a little pricier. Amazon has several fun shatterproof ornaments that are more decorative. I think they’ll add a fun twist to the ornaments. Here are a few examples of what I’m referring to: Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3.
Why Handmade Ornaments Make the Best Gifts
Crocheted ornaments like this Reindeer jingle bell design are thoughtful, eco-friendly, and durable. Unlike store-bought decorations, handmade pieces carry sentimental value and become cherished heirlooms. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a beginner, this project is a rewarding way to spread holiday cheer.
An Heirloom Set: A set of crochet Christmas ornaments would make a wonderful housewarming gift or Christmas gift, combine any of our free crochet ornament patterns to create an heirloom collection.
Creative Ways to Use Your Crochet Reindeer Ornament
- Tree Decor
Hang the ornament among twinkling lights for a playful and magical effect. - Gift Toppers
Tie the elf ornament to wrapped presents for a personalized touch that doubles as a keepsake. - Wreaths & Garlands
Add a whimsical flair to your front door or mantel with these unique decorations. - Party Favors
Crochet several ornaments and give them away at holiday gatherings or office parties.
How To Get The
Crochet Reindeer Jingle Bell Ornament Pattern
Option 1: Scroll down for the free crochet ornament pattern right here in this blog post.
Option 2: Purchase the ad-free printable PDF from one of my shops:
Tips for Personalization
- Gift Idea: Package this ornament in a festive box with a handwritten tag for a heartfelt present.
- Color Variations: Use gold or silver threads for a sparkling touch.
- Make a Set: Pair the Reindeer with the elf ornament for a cohesive holiday look.
Care Tips
To keep your crochet ornaments looking fresh for years to come, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Wrap them in tissue paper to prevent dust and tangling with other decorations.
This is the 4th Jingle Bell Ornament, which is a bonus ornament
for the Ultimate 12 Days of Christmas Event
(these additional ornaments are not entries into the original giveaway event, so make sure to read the details to see what’s changed!)
Yarn
I used Lion Brand Yarn Pound of Love & Basic Stitch for my crochet jingle bell ornament. Both yarns are worsted weight, 100% acrylic yarns. The main reason I chose these yarns is because the colors were perfect for a reindeer crochet ornament.
Other worsted weight yarns can be substituted.
Crochet Reindeer Jingle Bell Ornament – Free Pattern
The crochet jingle bell ornament pattern is free below, but if you love to work offline, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.
Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, including all photo tutorials on Ravelry, or on Etsy (aff).
This post contains affiliate links.
Materials
- Yarn: Worsted Weight / 4 / Yarn, Lion Brand Yarn Pound of Love & Basic Stitch were used for the samples in the photos.
- See Pattern Notes below for exact yardage of each color.
- Crochet Hook: G/6/4.00mm; or size needed to obtain gauge (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Crochet Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hands since switching).
- Locking Stitch Markers
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
- (2) 8mm black safety / craft eyes
- (1) Jingle Bell 2″ – 2.5″ diameter (optional)
- Jingle Bell alternative: make a big yarn pom!
- Shatterproof Ornaments: See the section “Jingle Bell Alternatives” above.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch(s): chain(s)
- sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- invsc2tog: invisible single crochet decrease
- Rnd: round
- RS: right side
- FLO: front loop only
- yo: yarn over
- MC: Main Color
- CA / CB: Contrasting Colors
- Join yarn with a standing single crochet
Experience Level
- Easy
Gauge
- In sc with a 4.00mm crochet hook: 4 sts = 1″; 5 rows = 1.125″
Size
- One Size: 3.75″ W (hoof to hoof) x 2.75″ H (not including jingle bell or hanging loop)
Special Stitches
- Invisible Single Crochet Decrease (invsc2tog): Insert hook into the FLO of stitch indicated, insert hook into the FLO of the next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru all loops on hook.
- Join yarn with a standing single crochet: 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.
Pattern Notes
- Yarn Notes: Lion Brand Yarn Pound of Love & Basic Stitch were used for the samples pictured in the photos.
- Pound of Love Yarn: 100% Premium Acrylic, (1,020 yards / 454 g / 16 oz / 932 m).
- Basic Stitch: 100% Acrylic, (185 yards / 100 g / 3.5 oz / 170 m)•
- Another comparable worsted weight yarn may be used as long as gauge is met.
- Colors & Yardage
- Basic Stitch Skein Tone Hazelnut (MC): 30 yards
- Basic Stitch Skein Tone Almond (CA): 6 yards
- Basic Stitch Skein Tone Ivory (CB): 3 yards
- Pound of Love Cherry (Red): 2 yards
- Pound of Love Wintergreen: 1 yard
- Pound of Love Black: 3 yards
- Reindeer Jingle Bell Ornament Construction: This jingle bell ornament is crocheted in a few pieces, then assembled. First, you’ll crochet the reindeer’s head and work his arms directly onto it. Next, you’ll crochet his antlers, ears, muzzle, and nose. Then add facial features, attach his ears and antlers, stuff the head and cinch it closed. After that, make and attach a hanging loop. Lastly, attach the reindeer to the top of the jingle bell (or pom pom, or bauble).
- Jingle Bell Alternatives: See the section above with the title “Jingle Bell Alternatives” for a few different options.
Reindeer Jingle Bell Ornament Pattern
Reindeer Head
Note: Reindeer’s head is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.
Rnd 1 (RS): With MC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 6 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (2 sc in the next st, sc in the next st) 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (2 sc in the next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts) 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnds 5 – 10: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)
Rnd 11: (invsc2tog, sc in each of the next 2 sts) 6 times. (18 sts)
Do not fasten off. Continue on to the 1st Leg.
Note: The photo below is of a different character (different color), but the head is the same.
1st Leg
Note: Reindeer’s leg is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.
Rnd 1 (RS): Continuing on with MC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, FLO sc in each of the next 4 sts along the last rnd of the head, ch 4. (4 sc + 4 chs)
Rnd 2: Connect the ch to the 1st sc of the previous round with a sc in the 1st st, sc in each of the remaining 3 sts and 4 chs around. (8 sts)
Rnds 3 – 5: Sc in each st around. (8 sts)
Optional: Switch to black yarn on the last pull through of the last stitch of round 5. Fasten off MC.
Rnd 6: With black, sc in each st around. (8 sts)
Rnd 7: Invsc2tog 4 times. (4 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail yarn of to close the tip of the hoof closed. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, close the top of the hoof. Weave in ends Continue on to 2nd Leg.
Leg should measure approximately .75″ W x 1.5″ L (when laid flat).
2nd Leg
Note: Reindeer’s leg is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.
Rnd 1 (RS): Skip 5 sts along the edge of the head, from the 1st arm, then with MC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the FLO of the next st along the edge of the head, FLO sc in each of the next 3 sts, ch 4. (4 sc + 4 chs)
Rnd 2: Connect the ch to the 1st sc of the previous round with a sc in the 1st st, sc in each of the remaining 3 sts and 4 chs around. (8 sts)
Rnds 3 – 5: Sc in each st around. (8 sts)
Optional: Switch to black yarn on the last pull through of the last stitch of round 5. Fasten off MC yarn.
Rnd 6: With black yarn, sc in each st around. (8 sts)
Rnd 7: Invsc2tog 4 times. (4 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail yarn of to close the tip of the hoof. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, close the top of the hoof.
Weave in ends Continue on to Antlers.
Leg should measure approximately .75″ W x 1.5″ L (when laid flat).
Antlers (Make 2)
Row 1 (RS): With CA yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, 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, 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) 2 times.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Antler’s should be approximately 1.75″ W x 1″ H (at tallest point). Make a second Antler, then continue on to the Ears.
Ears (Make 2)
Row 1 (RS): With MC yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, 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 2, sl st into same ch as dc’s.
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew the ears onto the face. Make a second Ear, then continue on to the Muzzle.
Muzzle
Rnd 1 (RS): With CB yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 3, work 3 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook, work 3 sc in the last ch. Do not join. Instead, continue working in a spiral. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. Fasten off using the Invisible Join Technique and leave a tail of yarn long enough to attach the muzzle to the reindeer’s head. (12 sts)
Continue on to the Nose. Muzzle should measure approximately 1″ wide at the widest point.
Nose
Rnd 1: With red yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 4 sc into the 2nd ch from your hook. (4 sts)
Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to attach the nose to the muzzle. Nose is approximately .5″ diameter.
Continue on to Mouth.
Mouth
Separate the plies into 2 and 2, of a 8″ piece of black yarn. Using a yarn needle and 2 plies of black yarn, make an upside down “T” to resemble a mouth. Knot yarn to secure it and trim ends short.
Continue on to Facial Features.
Facial Features
Muzzle & Red Nose
With a yarn needle and tail of red yarn, sew the red nose onto the muzzle as shown in the photo below. Knot to secure red yarn. Trim ends short. You do not need to weave them in as they will be between the muzzle and reindeer’s head.
Then, with a tail of CB yarn, sew the muzzle onto the head, as shown in the photo below.
Do not worry about weaving in the ends. You can use them to help attach the muzzle to the reindeer’s head and then secure them and stuff them inside it.
Eyes
I used (2) 8mm black plastic safety eyes for my Reindeer. You can also embroider eyes with black thread or yarn. With the reindeer facing you, as shown below, center the safety eyes on the head between Rounds 6 & 7, with 3 stitches between them.
Attaching the Ears & Antlers
With tails of yarn and a yarn needle, attach antlers and ears to the reindeer’s head as shown in the photos.
Secure yarn by knotting it on the inside of the head. Leave tails of yarn inside the reindeer’s head to be used as stuffing.
Hanging Loop
With any color yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, create a chain that is 6″ long. Join with a sl st to the 1st ch.
Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn. With a yarn needle & tail of yarn, sew the hanging loop onto the top of the Reindeer’s Head. Weave in ends. Continue on to Attaching Reindeer to the Jingle Bell.
Hanging Loop Alternative
You could also use a 6″ piece of ribbon as a hanging loop, instead.
Then attach it onto the top of Reindeer’s Head, with a needle and thread.
Continue on to Attaching Reindeer to the Jingle Bell.
Attaching Reindeer to the Jingle Bell
If you did not use your ends to stuff your Reindeer, or you feel he needs more stuffing, add batting to his head or more yarn scraps.
Do not fasten off. Use the same tail of yarn to secure the Reindeer to the top loop of the jingle bell. Once it’s snug, secure the yarn, fasten off and weave in ends. Continue on to Scarf.
If you’ve chosen to use a bauble to finish your Reindeer, you will need to secure him to the top of the bauble with hot glue.
Scarf
With any color yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, create a chain that is approximately 8″ long (long enough to wrap around the reindeer’s neck and tie).
Jingle Bell Alternatives
Related: If you enjoyed making this Reindeer Christmas ornament, I think you’ll love the Gingerbread Girl Jingle Bell Ornament, Mrs. Claus Jingle Bell Ornament and Girl Elf Jingle Bell Ornament.
I Made It! Now What?
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More Crochet Christmas Tree Decorations You’ll Love
- Snowman Candy Cane Holder Ornament
- Santa Boot Ornament
- Gingerbread Boy & Girl Candy Cane Holder
- Cookies for Santa Ornament
- Milk for Santa Ornament
More Reindeer Decor
Do you LOVE Reindeer Decorations? We have a few other free crochet patterns for reindeer decor you may love!
