Knackered Reindeer Tea Cosy a Funny Christmas Design from TeaCosyFolk

I thought a reindeer tea cosy design would be a lovely addition to the collection of Christmas tea cosy knitting patterns we have here at TeaCosyFolk. But instead of following the herd with what you might think of as a usual reindeer tea cosy, I tried to put myself in the hooves of the reindeer's themselves.

At TeaCosyFolk, we love adding a touch of storytelling to our Christmas tea cosy knitting patterns—and this year, I wanted to do something a little different. Instead of the usual cheerful reindeer with a perky pose and polished antlers, I imagined what it’s really like to be one of Santa’s sleigh-pullers. Not just the glamour of flying through the night sky, but the sheer effort of delivering gifts to every rooftop across the globe. That’s a long shift, especially when your only fuel is oats and vegetation!

So I put myself in the hooves of the reindeer. Picture it: you’ve been flying all night, navigating chimneys, dodging weather systems, and hauling a sleigh that’s bursting with presents and let’s be honest, Santa’s not exactly featherweight. By Christmas morning, you’d be absolutely knackered. Gasping for a cuppa. Ready to flop.

And that’s how the Knackered Reindeer Tea Cosy was born.

This design celebrates the unsung heroes of Christmas; the ones who do the heavy lifting, whether it’s delivering joy or prepping the festive feast. My reindeer is flat out, chin on the deck, legs splayed, eyes drooping under the weight of a long night’s work. It’s a cosy full of character, humour, and empathy. I think many of us can relate to that post-Christmas-magic exhaustion!

I’ve sketched the design with a red nose, so technically he’s Rudolph. Now, I know that male reindeer shed their antlers by winter, but tradition wins here; he’s keeping his antlers. Structurally, that’s the only challenge. Knitting standy-uppie bits is always a bit of a faff, so I’ll either reinforce them with something sturdy or go for chunky antlers that hold their own. I’ll work it out as I knit.

This tea cosy will be made using Stylecraft Special DK, worked flat on two needles, and written in plain English with no charts; just like most TeaCosyFolk patterns. It’s designed to fit a standard teapot and bring a smile to your festive table. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just looking for a fun Christmas project, this pattern will be a joy to make and even more fun to gift.

So, with the carols playing and the kettle on, I’m off to channel some Christmas cheer into this sleepy little reindeer. He’s earned his rest and hopefully, a place in your cosy collection.








Tags: knitting for Christmas