Crochet Tutorial: Christmas Bear in Gift Sleigh with Reindeer and Holiday Trees – Free Crochet Pattern.

Crochet Tutorial: Christmas Bear in Gift Sleigh with Reindeer and Holiday Trees – Free Crochet Pattern.

This festive crochet scene features a smiling Christmas bear wearing a red Santa hat and scarf, seated in a woven-style gift sleigh filled with presents, pinecones, and a decorated holiday tree. Two reindeer pull the sleigh across a snowy display mat with green edging, miniature trees, lanterns, tiny woodland animals, wrapped gifts, and red reins for a cozy handmade Christmas centerpiece.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US crochet terms and is designed as a full display set. The main pieces are worked in continuous rounds unless a row section says otherwise. Use a stitch marker at the beginning of every round, stuff firmly as you go, and keep the stitches tight so the filling does not show.

  • Skill level: Intermediate amigurumi with small decorative parts.
  • Finished display size: about 18 inches long and 12 inches wide.
  • Main bear height: about 6.5 inches seated.
  • Each reindeer height: about 5 inches to head, 6.5 inches to antler top.
  • Sleigh size: about 8.5 inches long, 4.5 inches wide, and 4.5 inches tall.

Materials

  • Worsted weight yarn in cream, medium brown, dark brown, tan, red, green, white, gold, black, gray, orange, blue, and small amounts of yellow.
  • 3.0 mm crochet hook for amigurumi pieces.
  • 3.5 mm crochet hook for the base mat and sleigh panels.
  • 8 mm safety eyes for the bear.
  • 6 mm safety eyes for the reindeer.
  • Small black safety nose or black yarn for embroidered noses.
  • Fiberfill stuffing.
  • Yarn needle and sewing pins.
  • Stitch markers.
  • Optional: thin craft wire or pipe cleaners for sleigh runners, reins, antlers, and tree stability.
  • Optional: small warm LED tea lights placed beside, not inside, the crochet lanterns.

Abbreviations

  • MR: magic ring
  • ch: chain
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • sc: single crochet
  • hdc: half double crochet
  • dc: double crochet
  • tr: treble crochet
  • inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
  • dec: invisible single crochet decrease
  • BLO: back loop only
  • FLO: front loop only
  • FO: fasten off
  • st or sts: stitch or stitches

Gauge and Construction Notes

With the 3.0 mm hook and worsted weight yarn, 6 sc and 6 rounds should measure about 1 inch. The exact gauge is less important than firm fabric. If your stitches are loose, change to a smaller hook.

The scene is built in layers. First make the snowy mat, then the two reindeer, the sleigh, the bear, the large decorated tree, the small snowy trees, the lanterns, tiny animals, presents, and final reins. The image shows a soft but structured handmade look, so the pieces should be firm enough to stand upright while still looking plush.

Snowy Display Mat with Green Border

White Snow Base

Use white yarn and the 3.5 mm hook. Work in rows. Ch 67.

  1. Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. 66 sc.
  2. Rows 2-46: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. 66 sc.
  3. Row 47: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Do not turn after the final row.

Now work around the entire rectangle. Ch 1, place 2 sc in the corner, sc evenly down the side with 46 sc, 2 sc in the next corner, sc across the foundation edge with 66 sc, 2 sc in the next corner, sc up the second side with 46 sc, 2 sc in the last corner, sc across the top with 66 sc. Sl st to first sc.

Raised Green Border

Join dark green yarn in any corner.

  1. Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, placing 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to join.
  2. Round 2: Ch 1, working BLO, sc in each st around, placing 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to join.
  3. Round 3: Ch 1, repeat the following around: sc, ch 1, skip 1 st. At corners, work sc, ch 1, sc, ch 1, sc in the center corner st. Sl st to join and FO.

Use white yarn to embroider scattered small snow dots over the mat, especially around the reindeer feet and trees. Add a few tiny green straight stitches where the border meets the snow to imitate the textured edge seen in the image.

Front Reindeer Body

Make two reindeer. Use tan yarn for the body and head, dark brown for hooves and antlers, red for harnesses. The front reindeer should stand slightly ahead of the second reindeer, with both facing left.

Body

Use tan yarn and the 3.0 mm hook.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. 18
  4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. 24
  5. Round 5: Sc 3, inc around. 30
  6. Rounds 6-15: Sc around. 30
  7. Round 16: Sc 3, dec around. 24
  8. Round 17: Sc around. 24
  9. Round 18: Sc 2, dec around. 18
  10. Stuff firmly.
  11. Round 19: Sc 1, dec around. 12
  12. Round 20: Dec around. 6

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FO and close the opening. Shape the body into a horizontal oval. The neck side should be slightly lifted when sewn to the mat so the reindeer appears alert.

Head

Use tan yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. 18
  4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. 24
  5. Rounds 5-9: Sc around. 24
  6. Round 10: Sc 2, dec around. 18
  7. Round 11: Sc around. 18
  8. Insert 6 mm safety eyes between Rounds 6 and 7, 7 sts apart.
  9. Round 12: Sc 1, dec around. 12
  10. Stuff firmly.
  11. Round 13: Dec around. 6

FO and close. Sew the head to the front upper side of the body at a 35-degree upward angle. The muzzle should point forward and slightly down, matching the gentle reindeer pose in the image.

Muzzle

Use light cream yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Round 3: Sc around. 12

FO with a long tail. Lightly stuff. Sew centered on the lower front of the head between the eyes. Embroider a small dark brown nose over the upper center of the muzzle and add a short vertical line below it.

Ears

Make two for each reindeer in tan yarn.

  1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR. 5
  2. Round 2: Sc around. 5
  3. Round 3: Inc, sc 3, inc. 7
  4. Round 4: Sc around. 7

Flatten each ear. Do not stuff. Sew to the head between Rounds 4 and 6, one on each side, with the tips leaning outward.

Legs

Make four for each reindeer. Start with dark brown for hooves.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Sc 1, inc around. 9
  3. Round 3: BLO sc around. 9
  4. Change to tan yarn.
  5. Rounds 4-10: Sc around. 9

Stuff lightly. FO, leaving long tails. Sew two legs under the front half of the body and two under the back half. The front legs should be nearly vertical. The back legs may angle back slightly for balance.

Tail

Use tan yarn.

  1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR. 5
  2. Round 2: Sc around. 5
  3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1. 7

FO. Sew to the back of the body, angled upward.

Antlers

Use dark brown yarn. Make two main antlers for each reindeer.

  1. Ch 9.
  2. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 3 ch.
  3. Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch.
  4. Sl st back into the same main chain stitch.
  5. Sl st in next 2 main chain stitches.
  6. Ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next ch.
  7. Sl st back into same main chain stitch.
  8. Sl st down remaining main chain stitches.

FO with a long tail. For thicker antlers, crochet a second identical piece and stitch both pieces together. Sew antlers on top of the head behind the ears. The branches should spread outward like the image.

Reindeer Harnesses and Red Reins

Red Head Halter

For each reindeer, use red yarn and the 3.0 mm hook.

  • Ch 22 for the nose band. Test around the muzzle. Add or remove chains if needed. Sew into a ring around the muzzle.
  • Ch 26 for the head band. Wrap behind the ears and under the chin. Sew securely.
  • Add one small gold yarn French knot or tiny gold button on each side of the head band.

Body Harness

  • Ch 34 in red for the chest band. Wrap around the body just behind the front legs and sew closed.
  • Ch 38 in red for the belly band. Wrap around the center body and sew closed.
  • Make a connecting strap with ch 18 and sew it along the top center from chest band to belly band.
  • Add tiny gold stitches on both side points of the harness.

Long Red Reins

Use red yarn. Make two long cords. Ch 90 for each cord, then sl st back along the chain to make it stronger. Attach one end to the halter of each reindeer. Bring both cords back to the bear’s paws, then stitch lightly to the mat in two or three hidden spots so the reins curve naturally.

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Second Reindeer Variation

Make the second reindeer using the same body, head, legs, ears, muzzle, antlers, and harness instructions. To match the image, position the second reindeer slightly behind and to the left of the front reindeer. Sew its head a little lower and angle it outward by about 15 degrees, so both faces are visible.

Use identical red harnesses. Add a short red connector cord between the two reindeer harnesses by chaining 28, slip stitching back across, and sewing one end to each chest band.

Woven Gift Sleigh

The sleigh is made from crocheted panels in warm brown yarn with darker woven ridges. The image shows a basket-style sleigh with upright sides, red trim, wooden runners, and a loaded back section.

Sleigh Base Panel

Use medium brown yarn and the 3.5 mm hook. Ch 25.

  1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 24 sc.
  2. Rows 2-18: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 24 sc.
  3. Row 19: Ch 1, sc across. FO.

Side Panels

Make two. Use medium brown yarn. Ch 28.

  1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 27 sc.
  2. Rows 2-5: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 27 sc.
  3. Row 6: Ch 1, sc 5, hdc 6, dc 5, hdc 6, sc 5. Turn.
  4. Rows 7-9: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 27 sc.
  5. Row 10: Ch 1, sc across. FO.

For woven texture, join dark brown yarn at one short edge. Surface crochet horizontal slip stitch lines across Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Then use tan yarn to weave vertical straight stitches every 4 sts.

Front and Back Panels

Make two. Use medium brown yarn. Ch 16.

  1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 15 sc.
  2. Rows 2-9: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 15 sc.
  3. Row 10: Ch 1, sc across. FO.

Add the same dark brown horizontal surface slip stitches on Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Add tan vertical straight stitches every 3 sts.

Sleigh Assembly

  1. Place the base flat.
  2. Sew one long side panel to each long edge of the base, keeping the panels upright.
  3. Sew the front panel to one short edge.
  4. Sew the back panel to the opposite short edge, leaning it back slightly by about 10 degrees.
  5. Use red yarn to surface crochet or sew a red trim line along the top edge of both side panels and the front panel.
  6. Add two vertical red cords on the front of the sleigh by chaining 18 for each cord and sewing them from top front edge to lower base edge.

Sleigh Runners

Use dark brown yarn. Make two long runners.

  1. Ch 40.
  2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 39 sc.
  3. Row 2: Ch 1, sc across. FO.

For curled front tips, join yarn at one end, ch 8, work 2 sc in each ch back toward the runner, then sew the curled section upward. Make four support posts with dark brown yarn: ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Sew two posts to each runner and attach them under the sleigh base.

Christmas Bear

The bear sits inside the front half of the sleigh. It has a cream muzzle, brown eye patches, rounded ears, a red Santa hat, and a green-red-white scarf.

Bear Head

Use tan yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. 18
  4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. 24
  5. Round 5: Sc 3, inc around. 30
  6. Round 6: Sc 4, inc around. 36
  7. Rounds 7-13: Sc around. 36
  8. Round 14: Sc 4, dec around. 30
  9. Round 15: Sc 3, dec around. 24
  10. Insert 8 mm safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, 8 sts apart.
  11. Round 16: Sc 2, dec around. 18
  12. Stuff firmly.
  13. Round 17: Sc 1, dec around. 12
  14. Round 18: Dec around. 6

FO and close. Shape the head into a rounded bear face by pressing gently at the sides.

Bear Eye Patches

Make two in dark brown yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. 18

FO. Before the eyes are locked tightly, place one patch behind each safety eye. If your eyes are already attached, sew the patches around the eyes with small neat stitches.

Muzzle

Use cream yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. 18
  4. Round 4: Sc around. 18

FO with a long tail. Lightly stuff and sew to the lower front of the head. Add a black oval nose over Rounds 2 and 3 of the muzzle. Embroider a curved smile using black yarn.

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Bear Ears

Make two in dark brown yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Rounds 3-4: Sc around. 12
  4. Round 5: Sc 2, dec around. 9

Flatten slightly and sew to the top sides of the head between Rounds 5 and 8. The ears should sit just below the Santa hat brim.

Bear Body

Use dark brown yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. 18
  4. Round 4: Sc 2, inc around. 24
  5. Round 5: Sc 3, inc around. 30
  6. Rounds 6-12: Sc around. 30
  7. Round 13: Sc 3, dec around. 24
  8. Round 14: Sc around. 24
  9. Round 15: Sc 2, dec around. 18
  10. Stuff firmly.
  11. Round 16: Sc 1, dec around. 12

FO with a long tail. Sew the head to the body. Position the body upright inside the sleigh with the head facing the reindeer.

Bear Arms

Make two in dark brown yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Sc 1, inc around. 9
  3. Rounds 3-13: Sc around. 9

Stuff lightly only at the paw end. Flatten the top. Sew arms to the upper sides of the body. Bring the paws forward so they hold the red reins.

Bear Legs

Make two in dark brown yarn.

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Rounds 3-5: Sc around. 12
  4. Round 6: Sc 2, dec around. 9
  5. Rounds 7-8: Sc around. 9

Stuff lightly. Sew the legs to the front lower body so they rest inside the sleigh. Only the rounded paws need to show above the sleigh edge.

Santa Hat

Start with white yarn for the brim.

  1. Ch 37, sl st to join into a ring without twisting.
  2. Round 1: Ch 1, sc around. 36
  3. Round 2: Sc around. 36
  4. Change to red yarn.
  5. Round 3: BLO sc around. 36
  6. Round 4: Sc 4, dec around. 30
  7. Round 5: Sc around. 30
  8. Round 6: Sc 3, dec around. 24
  9. Round 7: Sc around. 24
  10. Round 8: Sc 2, dec around. 18
  11. Round 9: Sc around. 18
  12. Round 10: Sc 1, dec around. 12
  13. Round 11: Sc around. 12
  14. Round 12: Dec around. 6

FO. Make a white pom-pom by working 6 sc in MR, inc around to 12, sc one round, dec around to 6, stuff lightly, and close. Sew to the hat tip. Sew the hat tilted slightly to the bear’s right side.

Striped Scarf

Use green yarn. Ch 46.

  1. Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 45 hdc. Change to white.
  2. Row 2: Ch 1, hdc across. Change to red.
  3. Row 3: Ch 1, hdc across. FO.

Wrap around the bear’s neck. Sew a small cross-stitch with red yarn at the front so the scarf stays in place.

Large Decorated Christmas Tree in the Sleigh

This tree sits behind the bear, rising above the sleigh. It has dark green layered branches, gold garland, colored ornaments, and a gold star on top.

Tree Cone

Use dark green yarn.

  1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR. 5
  2. Round 2: Sc around. 5
  3. Round 3: Inc around. 10
  4. Round 4: Sc around. 10
  5. Round 5: Sc 1, inc around. 15
  6. Round 6: Sc around. 15
  7. Round 7: Sc 2, inc around. 20
  8. Round 8: Sc around. 20
  9. Round 9: Sc 3, inc around. 25
  10. Round 10: Sc around. 25
  11. Round 11: Sc 4, inc around. 30
  12. Round 12: Sc around. 30
  13. Round 13: Sc 5, inc around. 35
  14. Rounds 14-15: Sc around. 35

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Stuff the cone firmly. Cut a small cardboard circle if desired and place it inside the base for stability. FO and close.

Branch Layers

Hold the tree upside down. Join green yarn in a front loop from Round 5.

  • Layer 1: Repeat around: sl st, ch 3, 2 dc in same front loop, ch 3, sl st in next front loop.
  • Layer 2 on Round 8: Repeat around: sl st, ch 3, 3 dc in same front loop, ch 3, sl st in next front loop.
  • Layer 3 on Round 11: Repeat around: sl st, ch 4, 3 tr in same front loop, ch 4, sl st in next front loop.
  • Layer 4 on Round 14: Repeat around: sl st, ch 4, 4 tr in same front loop, ch 4, sl st in next front loop.

Garland and Ornaments

Use gold yarn. Ch 80 and FO. Wrap around the tree in a spiral from top to bottom, sewing every few inches. For ornaments, make small French knots or tiny crochet balls in red, white, blue, and gold.

Small ornament ball: 5 sc in MR, sl st to join, FO, pull tight, and sew to the tree. Place more red and gold ornaments toward the front, with a blue ornament on the lower right side to match the bright accents in the image.

Gold Star

Use gold yarn.

  1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR, sl st to join.
  2. Round 2: Repeat 5 times: ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st into next sc of Round 1.

FO with a long tail. Sew the star to the top of the tree. Stitch the tree securely into the back-right area of the sleigh.

Wrapped Gifts for the Sleigh

Small Cube Gift

Make several gifts in red, blue, green, and gold. Use the 3.0 mm hook.

  1. Ch 7.
  2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 6 sc.
  3. Rows 2-6: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 6 sc.

Make six squares for each cube. Sew edges together into a box, stuffing lightly before closing. Use contrasting yarn to embroider one vertical ribbon and one horizontal ribbon. Make a bow by chaining 10, forming two loops, and sewing it to the top.

Rectangular Gift

  1. Ch 11.
  2. Rows 1-5: Sc across 10 sts. Turn after each row.
  3. Make two large rectangles.
  4. Ch 6, work 5 sc across for 10 rows to make the side strip.
  5. Sew the side strip around one rectangle, stuff lightly, then sew on the second rectangle.

Add red ribbon to blue gifts and white ribbon to red gifts. Place two gifts inside the sleigh near the bear, two behind the tree, and one on the snowy mat near the tiny animals.

Pinecones in the Sleigh

Make three pinecones using dark brown yarn.

  1. Ch 16.
  2. In 2nd ch from hook, work 3 hdc.
  3. Work 3 hdc in each remaining ch across.
  4. The strip will curl naturally.

Roll the curled strip into a pinecone shape and sew through the base. Add tiny white stitches on the outer edges for snow. Place the pinecones along the right side of the sleigh beside the large tree.

Small Snowy Pine Trees

Make three trees: one medium tree near the front center, one tall tree on the right side, and one tiny tree behind the reindeer. Each tree uses a green cone with white snowy branch layers.

Medium Tree Cone

Use dark green yarn.

  1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR. 5
  2. Round 2: Sc around. 5
  3. Round 3: Inc around. 10
  4. Round 4: Sc around. 10
  5. Round 5: Sc 1, inc around. 15
  6. Round 6: Sc around. 15
  7. Round 7: Sc 2, inc around. 20
  8. Round 8: Sc around. 20
  9. Round 9: Sc 3, inc around. 25
  10. Rounds 10-11: Sc around. 25

Stuff firmly and close the bottom with a flat circle: 6 sc in MR, inc around to 12, sc 1 inc around to 18, then sew to the tree base.

Snow Layers

Use white yarn. Join in front loops on Rounds 4, 6, 8, and 10.

  • Round 4 layer: Repeat: sl st, ch 3, 2 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in next st.
  • Round 6 layer: Repeat: sl st, ch 3, 3 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in next st.
  • Round 8 layer: Repeat: sl st, ch 4, 3 tr in same st, ch 4, sl st in next st.
  • Round 10 layer: Repeat: sl st, ch 4, 4 tr in same st, ch 4, sl st in next st.

For the tall tree, add two more increase rounds before closing. For the tiny tree, stop after Round 8 and use only three snow layers. Sew the trees to the mat with one at the front center, one on the right back corner, and one behind the reindeer.

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Crochet Lanterns

The image includes black framed lanterns with warm yellow centers. Make three: one near the front left, one near the center sleigh runner, and one near the reindeer.

Lantern Body

Use black yarn.

  1. Ch 8, sl st to join into a ring.
  2. Round 1: Ch 1, sc around. 8
  3. Round 2: BLO sc around. 8
  4. Round 3: Sc around. 8
  5. Round 4: BLO sc around. 8

FO. Make a yellow panel by chaining 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across for 4 sc, work 4 rows, then FO. Sew the yellow panel inside the black ring so it glows through the front.

Lantern Top and Handle

  • Top: 6 sc in MR, sl st to join, sew to the top.
  • Bottom: 6 sc in MR, sl st to join, sew to the bottom.
  • Handle: Ch 10 in black, sl st back across, sew both ends to the top.
  • Frame lines: Embroider two vertical black lines over the yellow panel.

Tiny Fox

Use orange yarn for the body and head, white for face and tail tip, dark brown for ears and feet.

Fox Body and Head

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Round 3: Sc 1, inc around. 18
  4. Rounds 4-7: Sc around. 18
  5. Round 8: Sc 1, dec around. 12
  6. Round 9: Dec around. 6

Stuff and close. For the head, repeat Rounds 1-5 only, then stuff and close. Sew the head to the body. Add black knot eyes and a tiny black nose.

Fox Ears and Tail

  • Ears: Make two in dark brown. Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc in next ch, dc in last ch. FO and sew to head.
  • Tail: With orange, 5 sc in MR, sc one round, inc to 8, sc two rounds, change to white, dec around, close. Sew to back.
  • Chest patch: Sew three white straight stitches down the front.

Place one fox near the front center tree and another tiny fox near the right-side tree if desired.

Tiny Bunny

Use taupe or light gray-brown yarn.

Bunny Body

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Rounds 3-5: Sc around. 12
  4. Round 6: Dec around. 6

Stuff and close.

Bunny Head

  1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6
  2. Round 2: Inc around. 12
  3. Rounds 3-4: Sc around. 12
  4. Round 5: Dec around. 6

Stuff and sew to the body. Embroider tiny black eyes.

Bunny Ears

Make two. Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 3, 3 sc in last ch, work on the opposite side with sc 4. FO. Sew both ears upright on the head. Add a white pom-pom tail with 5 sc in MR, then sew to the back.

Mini Wrapped Gift on the Mat

Use green yarn for the gift and gold yarn for the ribbon.

  1. Ch 6.
  2. Rows 1-5: Sc across 5 sts. Turn each row.
  3. Make six small squares.
  4. Sew into a cube, stuffing lightly.
  5. Use gold yarn to wrap one vertical and one horizontal ribbon around the cube.
  6. Make a tiny bow with ch 8, sl st into first ch, ch 8, sl st into first ch again, then sew to the top.

Place this gift at the front of the mat near the lantern, just like the small bright package in the image.

Small Red Gift Beside the Right Tree

Use red yarn.

  1. Ch 5.
  2. Rows 1-4: Sc across 4 sts. Turn each row.
  3. Make six squares and sew them into a cube.
  4. Stuff lightly before closing.
  5. Use green yarn to embroider a ribbon cross.

Sew this gift near the tall right-side tree. Keep it small so the tree remains the main vertical shape in that corner.

Rope and Sleigh Connection

Use red yarn to make the visible lines from the reindeer to the sleigh. Ch 70, then sl st back across. Make two identical ropes. Attach one rope to the left side of the sleigh front and one rope to the right side. Bring them forward to the reindeer harnesses and stitch them down lightly at the connection points.

The ropes should not be pulled tight. Let them curve naturally across the snow mat. The image shows soft red lines with a handmade curve, so leave a little slack between the reindeer and sleigh.

Placement Guide

  1. Sew the sleigh to the back-right half of the snow mat, angled slightly so the front points toward the reindeer.
  2. Attach the two runners under the sleigh before sewing the sleigh to the mat.
  3. Place the bear inside the front half of the sleigh. Sew the lower body to the sleigh floor and tack the back to the inner wall.
  4. Place the large decorated tree behind the bear, leaning slightly backward.
  5. Add gifts around the tree and beside the bear.
  6. Sew pinecones along the right inner side of the sleigh.
  7. Place the front reindeer near the front-left area of the mat.
  8. Place the second reindeer behind it and slightly farther left.
  9. Attach red reins from the reindeer to the bear’s paws.
  10. Sew the medium snowy tree near the front center.
  11. Sew the tall snowy tree to the right back corner.
  12. Sew the tiny snowy tree between the sleigh and reindeer.
  13. Place lanterns near the front edge, near the sleigh, and beside the reindeer.
  14. Add the fox, bunny, and small gifts in the open snowy spaces.

Extra Decorative Snow Details

Use white yarn to add small snow caps to the reindeer backs, sleigh rim, tree branches, and pinecones. Do not cover the shapes completely. The image has a winter look, but the crochet colors remain visible.

  • Add 3 or 4 white straight stitches on the top of each reindeer body.
  • Add tiny white knots to the green border corners.
  • Add white stitches to the top of the sleigh side panels.
  • Add small white dots around the lantern bases.
  • Add a few gold stitches near the gifts for a festive sparkle effect.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the faces before securing every piece permanently. The bear should look forward with a gentle smile. The reindeer eyes should be even and friendly, with the muzzles centered. Use small black stitches for smiles and do not over-tighten the embroidery.

Pin all pieces onto the mat before sewing. When the layout matches the image, sew each item with strong hidden stitches. Add the reins last so they sit on top of the scene and connect clearly from the reindeer to the bear.

Care Notes

  • Spot clean only with a slightly damp cloth.
  • Do not machine wash because the sleigh, antlers, lanterns, and tiny decorations may lose shape.
  • Keep away from candles, fireplaces, and direct heat.
  • If using LED lights near the lanterns, use battery-operated cool lights only.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Two reindeer are harnessed in red and facing left.
  • The bear is seated inside the sleigh and holding the reins.
  • The sleigh has woven brown texture, red trim, and dark runners.
  • The large tree has ornaments, gold garland, and a star.
  • Snowy trees, lanterns, gifts, pinecones, fox, and bunny are attached to the mat.
  • The green border frames the snowy base neatly.
  • All small parts are sewn securely.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

To preserve the shape, store the full scene in a box with tissue paper around the reindeer antlers, tree top, and sleigh sides. Do not stack heavy decorations on top. If the mat curls, lay it flat under a light towel and gently press with your hands.

Refresh the crochet texture by brushing lightly with clean fingers. Avoid hard brushes because they can fuzz the yarn. Keep the display dry and store it in a cool place after the holiday season.

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