Mooing from this free crochet cow amigurumi pattern are all the countryside comforts of a bustling barnyard—birdsong ringing out from the rafters of a barn, pastures painting the landscape with vibrant and verdant vegetation, and calves content on bellies full of grass.
While you wait for the cattle to feed and the crops to grow, how better to pass the time than with this free crochet cow amigurumi pattern!
So, without further ado, here is the pattern for the Cow Pocket Pet, part two of three in the Farm Pocket Pets collection!
Pattern Information | Free Crochet Cow Amigurumi
Supplies:
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- Size H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook
- Medium (4) weight yarn in 4 colors:
- Yarn A – white (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Soft White)
- Yarn B – black or dark gray (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Charcoal)
- Yarn C – beige (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Buff)
- Yarn D – pink (example uses Big Twist Value: Cosmetic Pink)
- Black embroidery floss
- Pink embroidery floss or pink yarn (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Perfect Pink)
- 10mm black safety eyes (x2)
- Polyester fiberfill
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
Alternate Yarn Supplies:
Color Variation 2 (as seen on the left in cover photo):
- Medium (4) weight yarn in 4 colors:
- Yarn A – off-white (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Aran)
- Yarn B – brown (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Warm Brown)
- Yarn C – beige (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Buff)
- Yarn D – pink (example uses Big Twist Value: Cosmetic Pink)
Terminology:
This free crochet cow amigurumi pattern uses English (US) terminology:
- st (sts) = stitch (stitches)
- ch = chain stitch
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (over the span of 2 stitches), also known as a decrease
- sc3tog = single crochet 3 together (over the span of 3 stitches)
- sk = skip
Please note that this pattern is written so that each crochet stitch abbreviation is attached to a number, such as 1sc, 2sc, etc. This number denotes how many of that stitch is to be worked into the same stitch.
You can learn more about how to read Virkadia patterns on our Pattern Help FAQ page!
Special Stitch Instructions:
Please review our special stitch instructions on our Stitch Tutorials FAQ page before beginning, as some techniques may be unique to this pattern.
This free crochet cow amigurumi pattern uses the following special stitch tutorials:
- Single Crochet (YU/YO Method)
- Invisible Decrease
- Joining Rounds
This pattern is worked in the round, with each round joined at the end with a slip stitch. Unless otherwise instructed, the first stitch of your next round will always be worked into the same stitch as your joining slip stitch has been worked into.
Be sure to always keep the ‘right side’ of your stitches facing outwards as you work. The right side is the front side of the stitch that is facing you as you are completing each stitch.
Pattern Instructions | Free Crochet Cow Amigurumi
Crochet Cow Ears:
With yarn A (white), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: [1sc into next st, 3sc into next st] 3 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 3: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, 3sc into next st, 1sc into next st] 3 times, join (18).
Fasten off yarn A and leave a tail for sewing. This is your first ear.
With yarn B (black/gray), repeat rounds 1 to 3 to create a second ear. Set both ears aside for now.
Crochet Cow Horns:
With yarn C (beige), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 3: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 4: 1sc into each st around, join (6).
Fasten off yarn C and leave a tail for sewing.
Repeat rounds 1 to 4 to create a second horn. Set both horns aside for now.
Crochet Cow Snout:
With yarn D (pink), chain 4.
Rnd 1: beginning in 2nd ch from hook, *1sc into each of next 2 sts, 2sc into next st,* working into other side of ch sts, rep from * to * 1 time, do not join (8).
Rnd 2: sl st into each st around (8).
Fasten off yarn D and leave an end tail for sewing.
Optional: follow the instructions below to finish off your crochet cow snout with a clean, uniform edge.
With your tapestry needle, take your end tail and pass it beneath both loops of your first slip stitch from round 2.
Then, insert your needle through the middle of the last slip stitch you’ve created (between your front and back loops) and pull your tail through to the back of your piece. Pull your tail snugly, but not too tight!
Remove your needle and set aside for now. Do not cut your tail, as you will be using it later to sew the snout onto the face.
Crochet Cow Head – Rounds 1 to 13:
With yarn A (white), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: 2sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 3: [1sc into next st, 2sc into next st] 3 times, [1sc into next st, 3sc into next st, 1sc into next st] 2 times, join, ch 1 (19).
Rnd 4: [2sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 2 sts] 3 times, [1sc into each of next 2 sts, 3sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 2 sts] 2 times, join, ch 1 (26).
Rnd 5: [1sc into each of next 3 sts, 2sc into next st] 3 times, [1sc into each of next 3 sts, 3sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 2 times, join, ch 1 (33).
Rnd 6: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (33).
Rnd 7: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (33).
Rnd 8: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (33).
Rnd 9: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (33).
Rnd 10: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (33).
Rnd 11: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (33).
Rnd 12: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (33).
Rnd 13: sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 30 sts, 2sc into next st, join, ch 1 (33).
Secure your working loop with a stitch marker and follow the instructions below for adding the spots, eyes, blush, ears, horns, and snout before continuing to round 14.
Adding Spots:
The crochet cow spots are created using a cross-stitch technique, as seen below.
You may add as many or as few—as big or as little—spots as you’d like around the cow head.
I recommend, however, to put at least one spot on the side of the head, beneath where you want to attach your black/gray ear, to get a similar look as to the example cows.
Adding a spot beneath one eye, for cows with lighter spots, adds some character to your crochet cow, as well.
Optional: you will be adding three more rounds to the head later, so take care to leave some space for some lower spots to be added later, after the head is complete, if desired.
Begin by outlining the space where you want to add a spot. Treat each stitch as its own square, tracing your spot with horizontal and vertical lines (see image 1).
Some stitches won’t be perfect squares, however, such as increases and decreases, so just do your best in these cases.
Either before you fill in your block, or as you go, try rounding out some of the edges of your block with some diagonal stitches (see image 2).
Then, go back through each square within your outlined space and embroider an X-shape over top of each one (see image 3).
You may add one diagonal onto all squares first, before going back through and completing each X-shape, or you can completely finish each X-shape as you go.
Choose whichever method works best for you! Just be careful, as you complete each cross-stitch, that the top strand should be consistent in slanting the same way as each of the other stitches.
Adding Eyes:
Using the example piece below as reference, insert both safety eyes through the center of the front of your head.
The front of the head should be on the flattest side (between your 3sc increases in rounds 3 to 5), a quarter turn before your joining seam.
The safety eyes should be inserted between rounds 10 and 11 and should sit 6 stitches apart.
Adding Blush:
Rotate your piece so that the beginning rounds face upwards and your last round faces downwards.
Using the example piece below as reference, embroider a blush line using pink embroidery floss or yarn next to each eye.
Each blush line should start 1 round down (between rounds 11 and 12) and 1 stitch outwards from where each eye was inserted, and span 1 stitch length outwards (away from the center of the face).
Begin by inserting your needle from inside to outside, 1 round down and 1 stitch outwards from where you’ve inserted the eye.
Pull through, leaving some tail inside for tying later. Then, insert your needle back in, 1 more stitch outwards.
If using medium weight yarn, you may skip ahead to tying both ends together on the inside of your piece.
If using embroidery floss, pass your needle back out through the same space as you’ve last exited from. Pull through and repeat both steps 4 more times.
On the next pass, insert your needle as normal but do not exit. Instead, pull through and remove your needle, then gently tie both ends together on the inside of your piece, taking extra care not to pull the threads too tight!
Attaching Ears:
Retrieve both ears that you’ve set aside earlier.
Fold each triangular ear so that the middle single crochet stitches of the two corners (where 3 single crochet were worked into one stitch) on either side of the end tail are aligned together.
Your end tail should now be on one end of this folded edge. Using this tail leftover from fastening off, you will now be attaching each ear onto the top of the head.
If you’ve embroidered one of the cows spots to be under one of the ears, I recommended sewing the ear that matches in color to be on top.
The openings of the folded ears should face forward with the face.
Optionally, you may first sew along the folded bottom edge of each ear before attaching to the head, or you may choose to sew the layers together at the same time as attaching to the head. Choose whichever method works best for you!
Align your first ear on one side of the head so that the folded edge lays between rounds 7 and 8.
The folded edge should lay straight along the seam between the rounds, and about 7 or 8 stitches away from the center of the face.
Sew along the entire length of the folded edge of the ear, and secure with a knot on the interior of your piece. Trim any excess length.
Repeat on the other side of the head, with the second ear mirrored with the first.
Attaching Horns:
Retrieve your horns and position them on top of your crochet cow head above the ears.
Each horn should start two rounds above it’s corresponding ear, and be place one stitch further towards the back of the head than where the ear begins.
Using the end tails leftover from fastening off each horn, sew both horns onto the top of the cow’s head. Secure with a knot on the inside of the head and cut any excess length.
Attaching Snout:
Retrieve and position the snout so that it is horizontal and centered between the eyes, with the top edge laying one round lower than where you’ve inserted the eyes.
Using the end tail leftover from fastening off, sew the snout onto the face, taking care not to sew over the top loops of your current round.
Secure with a knot on the inside of the head and trim any excess length.
Then, with a length of black embroidery floss, embroider two small nostril slits onto the snout, as shown above.
Without pulling too tight, tie the beginning and end tails of your floss together on the inside of the head to secure your embroidery, then cut any excess length.
Crochet Cow Head – Rounds 14 to 16:
If you are done embroidering spots onto the head, you may begin stuffing as you go. Otherwise, do not begin stuffing until you are finished embroidering.
Rnd 14: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 3 times, [1sc into each of next 3 sts, sc3tog over next 3 sts, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 2 times, join, ch 1 (26).
Rnd 15: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 3 times, [1sc into each of next 2 sts, sc3tog over next 3 sts, 1sc into each of next 2 sts] 2 times, join, ch 1 (19).
Rnd 16: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into next st] 3 times, [1sc into next st, sc3tog over next 3 sts, 1sc into next st] 2 times, join (12).
Fasten off yarn A and leave a short tail for tying.
At this point, you may add more spots onto the bottom of your cow’s head, or leave it as is.
Once you are content with your embroidery, finish the head by stuffing until full, then set aside for now.
Crochet Cow Arms – Rounds 1 to 8:
With yarn B (dark gray), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: 1sc into each st around, join (6).
Fasten off yarn B and leave a short tail for tying.
Join yarn A (white) by inserting your hook into the last stitch of round 2 and pulling up a loop of yarn A.
Tie the tails of both yarn A and yarn B together on the interior of your piece to secure your ends.
Rnd 3: sl st into each st around, join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 4: 1sc into BLO of each st around, join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 5: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 6: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 7: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 8: 1sc into each st around, join (6).
Fasten off and set aside for now.
Repeat rounds 1 to 8 to create a second arm, then continue to the legs below.
Crochet Cow Legs – Rounds 1 to 6:
With yarn B (dark gray), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, 2sc into next st] 2 times, join, ch 1 (8).
Fasten off yarn B and leave a short tail for tying.
Join yarn A (white) by inserting your hook into the last stitch of round 2 and pulling up a loop of yarn A.
Tie the tails of both yarn A and yarn B together on the interior of your piece to secure your ends.
Rnd 3: sl st into each st around, join, ch 1 (8).
Rnd 4: working into BLO of each st around, [2sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 2 times, join, ch 1 (10).
Rnd 5: [1sc into each of next 4 sts, 2sc into next st] 2 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 6: [2sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 3 times, join (15).
This will be leg #1. Fasten off and leave a tail (~8 to 12 inches) for sewing. Set aside for now.
Repeat rounds 1 to 6 to create leg #2 before continuing to the instructions for joining legs.
With yarn B (dark gray), make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st into 1st st to form ring, ch 1).
Rnd 1: 6sc into ring, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (6).
Rnd 2: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, 2sc into next st] 2 times, join, ch 1 (8).
Fasten off yarn B and leave a short tail for tying.
Join yarn A (white) by inserting your hook into the last stitch of round 2 and pulling up a loop of yarn A.
Tie the tails of both yarn A and yarn B together on the interior of your piece to secure your ends.
Rnd 3: sl st into each st around, join, ch 1 (8).
Rnd 4: working into BLO of each st around, [2sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 2 times, join, ch 1 (10).
Rnd 5: [1sc into each of next 4 sts, 2sc into next st] 2 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 6: [2sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (15).
This will be leg #2. Do not fasten off, as you will be working directly off of leg #2 to join both legs together.
Joining Legs (Round 7):
Retrieve leg #1 that you’ve set aside earlier and leave it on standby. You will be working round 7 around part of both legs to join them.
Rnd 7: 1sc into each of next 12 sts of leg #2, sk last 3 sts of leg #2, 1sc into 1st st of leg #1, 1sc into each of next 11 sts of leg #1, sk last 3 sts of leg #1, sl st into 1st st of rnd to join, ch 1 (24).
Secure your working loop with a stitch marker and follow the instructions below for sewing the legs together before continuing to round 8.
You will now see that both leg pieces are joined together, with the exception of 3 stitches of each on the inside of the piece.
Using the 8-12 inch tail left over from leg #1, sew this inside slit closed.
For best results, try sewing a total of 5 pairs of stitches together — the 3 pairs of stitches that were not worked into during round 7, as well as each pair of stitches on either side of this length (where the 1st and 24th stitches of round 7 were worked into and the 12th and 13th stitches were worked into).
Secure your sewing with a knot to the interior of the piece and trim any excess tail. Remove your stitch marker and continue to round 8.
Crochet Cow Body – Rounds 8 to 13:
At any point while working the body, you may secure your working loop with a stitch marker in order to embroider spots onto the body, using the same method as you did for the crochet cow head.
Alternatively, you may also finish the body first, then add all of your spots on afterwards—just note that the opening to the inside of the body will get smaller as you progress.
Choose whichever method works best for you!
Rnd 8: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (24).
Rnd 9: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 6 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (21).
Rnd 10: [1sc into each of next 5 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (18).
Rnd 11: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 4 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (15).
Rnd 12: [1sc into each of next 3 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Retrieve both arms set aside earlier and flatten the top round of each arm so that the stitches form two parallel lines of 3 stitches each.
During round 13, you will be working through both layers of the arm and the current round of the body all at once to connect the arms onto the body.
Alternatively, if you have trouble with this method, you may instead work a normal round of single crochet stitches (1sc into each st around, join).
If finished this way, the arms may then be sewn onto the body individually, using a length of yarn A, between rounds 12 and 13 on either side of the body.
Choose whichever method works best for you!
Rnd 13: 1sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 3 sts of both arm and body together, 1sc into each of next 4 sts, 1sc into each of next 3 sts of both arm and body together, 1sc into next st, join (12).
Fasten off yarn A and leave a long (~3 ft) tail for sewing.
At this point, if you did not already do so, you may embroider spots around your cow’s body, using the same cross-stitch method as before.
Lastly, follow the instructions below for attaching the cow tail before adding stuffing to your body.
Crochet Cow Tail:
With yarn A (white), leave a beginning tail for tying and chain 5.
Rnd 1: beginning in 2nd ch from hook, 1sc into each st across (4).
Fasten off and leave an end tail for tying, as well.
With yarn B (black/gray), cut 3 or more short strands of about 4 inches.
Then, thread each strand one-by-one through the end of your cow tail, on the opposite side as your beginning and end tails, and make a knot using both ends of the strand.
Once you’re satisfied with the amount of strands, gently pull each strand apart into smaller strands to add a finer fluff to the tail.
Lastly, trim the strands until they are rounded down to your desired size.
Center the tail over the back of the cow body, roughly over round 8 (don’t forget to count your round of slip stitches on the legs).
Then, take the end tail of the cow tail and thread it through to the inside of the body. Through an adjacent stitch (not the same stitch!), thread your beginning tail to the inside as well.
Lastly, knot the beginning and end tails of the cow tail together, on the inside of the body, and cut any excess length.
Finish the cow body by stuffing until full, then follow the instructions below for sewing the body and head together.
Sewing Together:
Retrieve the head and align it in your desired direction on top of the body.
With the long end tail leftover from fastening off of the body, sew around the entire circumference of the head and body, stitch by stitch, to connect both pieces together.
If you have trouble getting your needle into the crevice between the head and neck, try sewing very loosely, as shown above, leaving a large gap between the head and the body for you to more easily maneuver in.
Then, once you’ve completed sewing around the full circumference, you may go back and tighten each strand of your sewing individually. Just be careful to tighten the strands in the same sequence as you’ve sewn them!
Once your head and body are connected, secure your sewing with a knot to the end tail from the head, or to a nearby stitch, trim your tail, and weave in any excess length.
Conclusion | Free Crochet Cow Amigurumi
And with that, you’re done the free crochet Cow Pocket Pet pattern! If you enjoyed this pattern, be sure to check out its two companion patterns in the Farm Pocket Pets collection: the Chicken Pocket Pet and the Pig Pocket Pet!
You can also explore the Pocket Pets page and the Cutie Collections page for more original and free amigurumi patterns, or our Home Decor Patterns for other homemade household goodies!
If you’re looking to cozy up with a longer project, check out our Clothing Patterns, or assemble your own designs from one of our Granny Square Patterns!
And don’t forget to browse our downloadable, ad-free patterns in our Etsy store!
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