When I found out that friends of mine were having a baby last year, I knew I wanted to make them something special. They live in Northern Saskatchewan and he is a BIG hunter! So – for the baby shower I wanted to make something hunting related… a baby friendly deer mount for the nursery. I couldn’t find a pattern that I loved so after a few tries – I came up with Billy the Buck! (Special thanks to reader Kierstin who actually suggested the name!)

Now – I know nothing about hunting or deer. I was actually told this is only a 4 point buck – something about the antlers – so not a great one. But I don’t care. He’s so darn cute!

This pattern works up quickly and can be customized by changing the finish on the wood plaque. If you’re crafty enough with wood – you can skip the store and make a plaque of your own!

Okay – enough already… here’s the pattern!

 

This pattern is for PERSONAL USE. You may sell items made with this pattern but please give me credit by linking to the pattern or sharing my website, especially for online sales. You may not use my pictures for your own sales. Do not copy, reproduce or sell this pattern. Please feel free to share the link to the pattern on social media!

If you would like a printable, ad free, PDF version of this pattern, it is available on Etsy and Ravelry!

MATERIALS

D hook (3.25mm)
Worsted Weight Yarn Colours Needed:
       Tan (I used I Love This Yarn in Light Taupe)
       Black (I used Loops and Threads Impeccable in Black)
       Cream/Off-White (I used Loops and Threads Impeccable in Aran)
2 Safety Eyes (12mm)
7” x 9” Wood Plaque (See notes)
Small Self-Leveling Hanger
Fiberfil
Yarn Needle
Stitch marker
Scissors
Hot Glue
Optional: Paint, Wood stain

FINISHED SIZE
The finished deer mounts to a 7”x9” wood plaque.
Gauge isn’t necessary for this amigurumi. Just be sure your stitches are as tight as possible to avoid stuffing showing.

STITCH GUIDE

mc – magic circle
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
inc – single crochet increase
inv dec – invisible single crochet decrease (see special stitches)

SPECIAL STITCHES

Invisible Single Crochet Decrease – insert hook into front loop only of next stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, insert hook into front loop only of next stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.

NOTES

• This pattern is worked in continuous rows. Do not finish the row or chain up. Just continue next row on first stitch of last row. This method requires a stitch marker. Mark the first stitch of each row.
• This pattern ends with a hole in the back – that is okay! The back of the deer will be glued to the plaque, so no need to sew it up completely.
• Staggered Increase and Decrease – Whenever I work in the round, I stagger the place in the round that I do my increases and decreases. For more explanation and pictures visit my post on Staggered Increases and Decreases.
• Wood plaque – I purchase mine at Michaels in the wood aisle. They sell them by size so you will need one that is 7×9. They keep different shape plaques in the same basket so choose your favourite. Here’s a link – although they are only sold in stores.
• You may want to stain or paint the wood plaque before attaching the deer.
• Want to add a Red Rudolph nose for your Billy? Find the instructions here!

PATTERN

Main Head
Start with black yarn.
Round 1: mc w/6sc
Round 2: inc in each st around (12)
Round 3-4: sc around (12)
Change to tan yarn
Round 5: *inc, sc* repeat around (18)
Round 6: sc around (18)
Round 7: *sc, inc, sc* repeat around (24)
Round 8: sc around (24)
Round 9: *inc, 3sc* repeat around (30)
Round 10: sc around (30)
Round 11: *2sc, inc, 2sc* repeat around (36)
Round 12: sc around (36)
Round 13: *inc, 5 sc* repeat around (42)
Round 14: 15 sc, 12 inc, 15 sc (54)

Round 15: 15 sc, *sc, inc, sc* repeat 8 times, 15 sc (62)
Round 16-19: sc around (62)
Add safety eyes between rows 12-13 with 8 stitches between them.
Round 20: *5sc, inv dec* repeat 3 times, 20 sc, *inv dec, 5 sc* repeat 3 times (56)
Round 21: *inv dec, 4 sc* repeat 3 times, 20sc, *4sc, inv dec* repeat 3 times (50)
Round 22: *4sc, inv dec, 4sc* repeat around (45)
Round 23: *inv dec, 7sc* repeat around (40)
Round 24: *3sc, inv dec, 3sc* repeat around (35)
Round 25: *inv dec, 5sc* repeat around (30)
Begin stuffing.
Round 26: *2sc, inv dec, 2sc* repeat around (25)
Round 27: *inv dec, 3sc* repeat around (20)
Round 28: *sc, inv dec, sc* repeat around (15)
Finish off and stuff.

Ears (Make 2)
With tan yarn
Round 1: mc w/5sc
Round 2: inc around (10)
Round 3: sc around (10)
Round 4: *inc, sc* repeat around (15)
Round 5: sc around (15)
Round 6: *sc, inc, sc* repeat around (20)
Rounds 7-8: sc around (20)
Round 9: *sc, inv dec, sc* repeat around (15)
Finish off leaving long tail for sewing.
Flatten ear and sew edge together to secure the flat shape.

Antlers (Make 2 of each)
With off-white yarn
Piece One:
Round 1: mc w/6sc
Round 2: inc around (12)
Rounds 3-15: sc around (12)
Finish off leaving long tail for sewing.

Piece Two:
Round 1: mc w/5sc
Round 2: inc around (10)
Rounds 3-7: sc around (10)
Finish off leaving long tail for sewing.

FINISHING
Constructing the Antlers:

1. First step is to sew Piece 2 onto Piece 1. I begin sewing the top of Piece 2 between rows 4-5 of Piece 1. Sew around halfway around. Lightly stuff before completing the sewing. Once stuffed, finish sewing securely around Piece 2.
2. Stuff Piece 1.
3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 for the second antler

Sewing on Ears and Antlers

1. It can be helpful to pin the ears and antlers down before sewing to get the placement and shape you want.
2. Begin with one antler. Sew it on the top of the deer head above the eye. The front of my antlers are between rows 19 & 20 and the back is between rows 23 & 24. The exact placement may vary.
3. Sew on other antler, again above the eye and matched up with the first antler. For reference my antlers have 6-7 stitches between.
4. The ear is sewn on in a slight ‘C’ shape. Begin with the inside corner of the ear. I place the ear just in front of the antler, just to the outside of the antler. In order to get the ear shape, I sew the centre of the ear a couple rows back and the outside corner of the ear a few rows forward. Again – the placement may vary.
5. Repeat for second ear.

Attaching the deer to the plaque

1. Before attaching the deer, attach a hanger to the back of the plaque.
2. Apply hot glue generously to the back of the deer head. Focusing on area around small open space. Glue to centre of plaque.

Your deer is done. Hang it on the wall and I’d love to see it! Post it online and use the hashtag #andshelaughscrochet and #billythebuck

Don’t forget that you can add a Red Rudolph nose for your Billy. Find the instructions here!

This pattern is for PERSONAL USE. You may sell items made with this pattern but please give me credit by linking to the pattern or sharing my website, especially for online sales. You may not use my pictures for your own sales. Do not copy, reproduce or sell this pattern. Please feel free to share the link to the pattern on social media!

If you would like ad free PDF version of this pattern, it is available on Etsy and Ravelry!