In this blog post, I am thrilled to share a delightful free crochet pattern for a charming small highland cow amigurumi that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. With its irresistibly adorable design and quick, easy crocheting process, this little cutie is also perfectly suited to double as a whimsical keychain. Let’s gather our supplies and embark on a whimsical crochet adventure together!
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Highland Cow – Free Crochet Pattern
Start Here:
Please read the whole pattern properly before starting.
The pattern is written using US terms.
This pattern is made of the following parts:
- 1 Body
- 2 ears
- 2 horns
- 2 arms
- 2 legs
- 1 tail
- 1 snout
- hair
Size:
- 1.5 inches (4 cm) with light worsted yarn (I used I love this cotton from Hobby Lobby)
- 2.5 inches (7 cm) with plush yarn (I used Premier Parfait chunky)
Material:
- Yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in dark brown, light brown and cream OR Yarn calling for a US L-11 / 8 mm hook in dark brown, light brown and cream and yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in dark brown
- Size US C-2 / 2.75 mm crochet hook (a larger hook can be used, your cow will only be slightly bigger) if you use worsted yarn OR Size US 7 / 4.5 mm if you use plush yarn.
- 2 black safety eyes (6 mm) if you use worsted yarn OR 2 black safety eyes (10 mm) if you use plush yarn
- Stitch markers (if needed)
- Tapestry needle
- Polyfill
- Facultative: fabric glue
Abbreviations:
- chain (ch)
- magic ring (mr)
- single crochet (sc)
- increase (inc)
- invisible decrease (dec)
- slip stitch (sl st)
Pattern: How to crochet an Highland Cow?
Let’s start – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
The body – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
- The highland cow is worked in continuous rounds (as a spiral). Use a stitch marker if needed.
- Remember to stuff as you crochet.
With a 2.75 mm crochet and yarn in light brown OR with a 4.5 mm and yarn in light brown:
- Round 1: start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6) – NB: if you work with plush yarn: ch2; make 6 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. (6)
- Round 2: [6 inc]. (12)
- Round 3: [1 inc in the next st, 1 sc]x6. (18)
- Rounds 4-10: [1 sc in all st]. (18)
- Round 11: [1 dec, 1 sc]x6. (12)
Place the eyes between Rounds 9 and 10, spaced by 2 st.
Fill the body with polyfill.
- Round 12: [6 dec]. (6)
Cut the yarn, close the body and fasten off.
The snout – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
With a 2.75 mm crochet and yarn in light brown OR with a 4.5 mm and yarn in light brown:
- Row 1: ch 4. (4)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 3 sc. (3)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing. Insert the yarn in the first chain to close the snout. Sew the snout centered below the eyes, over Rond 8.
It is sometimes hard to sew such small pieces. I only sewed the external part of the snout and I added a little bit of glue to the rest of it.
The ears (make 2) – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
With a 2.75 mm crochet and the yarn in dark brown OR with a 4.5 mm and yarn in dark brown :
- Row 1: ch 5. (5)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 sc. (4)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing.
Sew the ears to the head over round 10, space by about 8 st.
The horns (make 2) – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
With a 2.75 mm crochet and the yarn in cream OR with a 4.5 mm and yarn in cream :
- Row 1: ch 5. (5)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sl st in each chain. (4)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing.
Sew the horns to the head over round 11, space by about 4 st.
The tail – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
With a 2.75 mm crochet and the yarn in dark brown OR with a 4.5 mm and yarn in dark brown:
- Row 1: ch 7. (7)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sl st in each chain. (6)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing.
If you use a 2.75 mm crochet hook: Cut one strand of dark brown yarn (about 5.5″/14cm) (using the yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in dark brown).
If you use a 4.5 mm crochet hook: Cut two strands of dark brown yarn (about 5.5″/14cm) (using the yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in dark brown).
Insert the hair in the first sc of the tail: grab the yarn by the middle with your crochet hook, insert both ends into the loop, and tighten it up. Separate each strand of the yan as shown in the picture below and trim it to your desired length.
Sew the tail at the back of the body between rounds 3 and 4.
The arms (make 2) – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
With a 2.75 mm crochet and the yarn in dark brown OR with a 4.5 mm and yarn in dark brown:
- Row 1: ch 5. (5)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in each chain. (4)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing.
Sew the arms to the body over Rounds 5 and 6, spaced by 3 stitches.
It is sometimes hard to sew such small pieces. I only sewed the external part of the arm (“shoulder” part) and I added a little bit of glue to the rest of the arm.
The legs (make 2) – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
With a 2.75 mm crochet and the yarn in light brown OR with a 4.5 mm and yarn in light brown:
- Round 1: start 5 sc in a magic ring. (5) – NB: if you work with plush yarn: ch2; make 5 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. (5)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing. Insert the yarn in the first sc to close the leg.
Sew the legs to the body over Rounds 2 and 3, spaced by 2 stitches. Note: Just like for the arms, I used a little bit of glue. I also placed the right side of the legs against the cow’s body.
The Hair – Highland Cow – Crochet Pattern
With your tapestry needle and the black yarn, make some black spots at different places on the body.
- If you use a 2.75 mm crochet hook: Cut seven strands of dark brown yarn (about 5.5″/14cm) (using the yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in dark brown).
Insert 4 strands of hair between Rounds 11 and 12, spaced evenly (as explained below).
Insert 3 strands of hair between Rounds 12 and 13, spaced evenly (as explained below).
Grab the yarn by the middle with your crochet hook, insert both ends into the loop, and tighten it up. Separate each strand of the yan as shown in the picture below and trim it to your desired length.
- If you use a 4.5 mm crochet hook: Cut ten strands of dark brown yarn (about 5.5″/14cm) (using the yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in dark brown).
Insert 6 strands of hair between Rounds 11 and 12, spaced evenly (as explained below).
Insert 4 strands of hair between Rounds 12 and 13, spaced evenly (as explained below).
Grab the yarn by the middle with your crochet hook, insert both ends into the loop, and tighten it up. Separate each strand of the yan as shown in the picture below and trim it to your desired length.
Congratulations on crafting the cutest crochet highland cow!
Copyright Notice:
All rights reserved. The pattern and photographs presented in this document are the sole property of Natalina Craft and are protected under copyright law. This pattern is provided for personal use only. Any unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or its contents is strictly prohibited.
You are permitted to sell finished items created from this pattern in limited quantities. If you choose to sell your finished products online, it would be greatly appreciated if you include a statement attributing the pattern to Natalina Craft and provide a link back to the original post. Thank you for your understanding and adherence to these guidelines.
