Free Crochet Pattern Tutorial: Deer Head Applique

(Shown in 
(top row) Caron Simply Soft Pink, Hobby Lobby I Love this Yarn Orange Neon, Caron Simply Soft Blue
(bottom row) Red Heart Super Saver Coffee, Cafe Latte, Red Black & Deborah Norville Oak Moss)

I’ve made quite a few of these appliques for hats but they would also be adorable on a blanket, pillow or even a sweater! You may use just about any worsted weight yarn you would like for this project! Following the pattern is a full photo tutorial, I suggest scrolling through the photo tutorial before getting started.

Thanks for stopping by! 

-Jenni

Skill Level: Easy

Finished size (with gauge): 3 ½” in height and 2 ½” in width

Supplies:
Size G (4.0mm) Crochet Hook
Worsted Weight Yarn, approx. 6-8 yards
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Stitch Abbreviations (U.S. Terms):
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
Sc2tog – Single Crochet 2 together
Sc3tog – Single Crochet 3 together
Sl st – Slip Stitch

Stitch Explanation:
Sc2tog – Insert hook in first stitch, yarn over, pull up loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
Sc3tog – Insert hook in first stitch, yarn over, pull up loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up loop (3 loops on hook). Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up loop (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.

Gauge:
6 sc and 3 rows = 1”

Head

Row 1: Ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each across. Ch 1. (11 sc)

Rotate piece to the right so you can work on the opposite side of the foundation ch.

Row 2: Sl st in 3, ch 1, sc in next and 4 more. Leave last 3 stitches unworked. Ch 1. (5 sc)
Row 3: Sc in first and in each across. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc)
Row 4: 2 Sc in first, sc in 3, 2 sc in last. Ch 1, turn. (7 sc)
Row 5: 2 Sc in first, sc in 5, 2 sc in last. Ch 1, turn. (9 sc)
Row 6: Sc2tog, sc in 5, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (2 sc2tog, 5 sc)
Row 7: Sc2tog, sc in 3, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (2 sc2tog, 3 sc)
Row 8: Sc in first and in each across. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc)
Row 9: Sc2tog, sc in 1, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (2 sc2tog, 1 sc)
Row 10: Sc3tog.

Do NOT turn piece, rotate piece to the right. Ch 1 and sc along the side until you get to the corner by the ear. Sl st in corner, sc in next and in each across, you should have 3 sc.

Ch 2, continue rotating piece to the right as you work around. Now you will be working on the opposite side of ear, sl st in first open stitch. Sc in next and in 9 more (10 sc total).

Sl st in last, ch 2. Continue rotating piece and you will now be working under the 2nd ear. Sl st across and in corner space (4 sl st total).

Now sc around the last side and join with sl st to first sc.
Fasten off leaving long end if sewing to another article.

Antlers

You will now be joining yarn to the top of the head to start the antlers. Join with a sl st in the 5th stitch from the right (on top of the head). Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in 3 more. Ch 4, sc in 2nd from ch from hook and in 2 more. Sc into next open ch on original ch 7, sc in next. Sl st into next open stitch on head, sl st one more.

Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in 2 more. Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in 3 more. Sc into next open ch on original ch 6, sc in next. Sl st into next open stitch on head and fasten off, if you have made the antlers a different color than the head be sure to leave the end long enough for the purpose of sewing the applique on to another article.

Nose 
(optional)

Magic Circle, Ch 1, 6 sc. Join, fasten off leaving long enough end for sewing.

Photo Tutorial 

Head 

Row 1: Ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each across. Ch 1. (11 sc)

(click image to enlarge)

Rotate piece to the right so you can work on the opposite side of foundation ch.

 Row 2: Sl st in 3, ch 1, sc in next and 4 more. Leave last 3 stitches unworked. Ch 1. (5 sc) 

Turn Piece. 

Row 3: Sc in first and in each across. Ch 1. (5 sc) 

 Turn piece. 

Row 4: 2 Sc in first, sc in 3, 2 sc in last. Ch 1. (7 sc) 

 Turn piece. 

Row 5: 2 Sc in first, sc in 5, 2 sc in last. Ch 1. (9 sc) 

 Turn piece. 

Row 6: Sc2tog, sc in 5, sc2tog. Ch 1. (2 sc2tog, 5 sc) 

 Turn piece. 

Row 7: Sc2tog, sc in 3, sc2tog. Ch 1. (2 sc2tog, 3 sc) 

 Turn piece. 

Row 8: Sc in first and in each across. Ch 1. (5 sc) 

 Turn piece. 

Row 9: Sc2tog, sc in 1, sc2tog. Ch 1. (2 sc2tog, 1 sc) 

 Turn piece. 

Row 10: Sc3tog.

Do NOT turn piece. 

 Ch 1 and sc along the side until you get to the corner by the ear. 

Sl st in corner, sc in next and in each across, you should have 3 sc. 

Ch 2, continue rotating piece to the right. 

Now you will be working on the opposite side of ear, sl st in first open stitch.

 Sc in next and in 9 more (10 sc total). 

 Sl st in last, ch 2. 

Continue rotating piece and you will now be working under the 2nd ear. 

 Sl st across and in corner space (4 sl st total). 

 Now sc around the last side and join with sl st to first sc. 

 Fasten off leaving a long end if sewing on to another piece. 

 

 Antlers 

Holding head piece right side up; join with a sl st in the 5th stitch from the right. 

Ch 7. 

 Rotate piece to the right and sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in 3 more. 

 Ch 4.  

Sc in 2nd from ch from hook and in 2 more. 

 Sc into next open ch on original ch 7. Sc in next. 

 Sl st into next open stitch on head, sl st in one more. 

 Ch 6.

Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in 2 more. 

 Ch 5. 

 Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in 3 more. 

 Sc into next open ch on original ch 6. Sc in next. 

 Sl st into next open stitch on head and fasten off. 

If you have made the antlers a different color than the head be sure to leave one of these ends long for the purpose of sewing the applique on to another article.

Below are are few examples of how I have put this applique to use, I'd love to see how you have used this pattern! Feel free to share on facebook @ www.facebook.com/byjennidesigns or Ravelry @ www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/deer-head-applique