WINTER WONDERLAND

This handsome reindeer is perfect as an early festive project ... or crochet him for Christmas in July

- Compiled by Amber Bramble

SUPPLIES

♦ 1 ball each of beige, brown and ecru yarn

♦ 1 skein of black embroidery thread

♦ Stuffing

EQUIPMENT

♦ 1 size 3 crochet hook

♦ 1 wool needle

♦ 1 stitch marker or safety pin

♦ 1 pair of scissors

♦ 1 tube of fabric glue

STITCHES

Chain stitch = ch

Slip stitch = sl st

Single crochet = sc

Half double crochet = hdc

Double crochet = dc

Treble crochet = tr

Linked double crochet = ldc

TECHNIQUES

Magic circle

Increase = inc

Decrease = dec

LEGS AND BODY

The body is worked in a round, beginning with the hooves. Make a magic circle with the brown yarn.

Round 1: Work 8 sc in the magic circle. Place a stitch marker on the 8th stitch. Work in a spiral, lifting at the end of each round to get your bearings.

Round 2: Work 1 sc on each stitch = 8 sc. Cut the brown yarn.

Round 3: With the beige yarn, work 1 sc on each stitch = 8 sc.

Rounds 4 to 6: Work 1 sc on each stitch = 8 sc.

Round 7: Work 1 sc, 1 inc, 4 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc = 10 sc.

Rounds 8 and 9: Work 1 sc on each stitch = 10 sc.

Round 10: Work 2 sc, 1 inc, 4 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc = 12 sc. Cut the yarn.

Make the three other legs the same way, without cutting the yarn at the end of Round 10 on the fourth leg.