Little cow amigurumi with spots and overalls

A spotted baby cow amigurumi. 4mm hook. About 8-9 evening sessions.

Little cow amigurumi with spots and overalls
Little cow amigurumi with spots and overalls
  • LevelIntermediate
  • Time4-6 hours
  • Hook4 mm
  • YarnWorsted

About This Pattern

This little cow sits about 8-9 inches tall, spots and all. I made it with Himalaya Dolphin Baby yarn and a 4mm hook. It fits an evening or two at the table, one leg one night, the head the next. The tail needs black yarn snips and a lark's head knot, small fussy work near the end. Nothing about it rushes. It just asks for steady hands and a little stuffing patience.

In the basket

Abbreviations

MR
magic ring
ch
chain
slst
slip stitch
sc
single crochet
dc
double crochet
hdc
half double crochet
inc
increase (2sc in the same hole)
dec
(invisible) decrease
BLO
back loop only
rnd
round
F.O
fasten off

Little cow amigurumi with spots and overalls

First Leg

  1. Round 1mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3-6: sc in each [12] Slst and F.O

Second Leg

  1. Round 1mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3-6: sc in each [12], ch2 at the end of rnd 6

Joining Legs & Body

  1. Round 7Rnd 7: join to first leg with a SC, 11sc, 2sc in ch2, 12sc, 2sc in ch2 [28]Stuff legs firmly Rnd 8: (6sc, inc)*4 [32] Rnd 9: (7sc, inc)*4 [36] Rnd 10-13: sc in each [36] Rnd 14: (7sc, dec)*4 [32] Rnd 15: 32sc [32] Rnd 16: (3sc, dec, 3sc)*4 [28] Rnd 17-18: 28sc [28]Stuff body firmly Rnd 19: (5sc, dec)*4 [24] Rnd 20: (2sc, dec)*6 [18]Stuff some moreSlst and F.O, leave long tail to sew head(28)

Main Head

  1. Round 1mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3: (sc, inc)*6 [18] Rnd 4: (sc, inc, sc)*6 [24] Rnd 5: (3sc, inc)*6 [30] Rnd 6: (2sc, inc, 2sc)*6 [36] Rnd 7-12: 36sc [36]Place safety eyes between rounds 9 & 10, approximately 8-9 stitches apart Rnd 13: (4sc, dec)*6 [30] Rnd 14: 30sc [30] Rnd 15: (3sc, dec)*6 [24]Begin stuffing head firmly Rnd 16: (2sc, dec)*6 [18] Rnd 17: (sc, dec)*6 [12]Stuff more Rnd 18: 6 dec [6]Slst and F.O, weave in end to close hole(36)

Snout/Muzzle

  1. Round 1mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3: (sc, inc)*6 [18] Rnd 4: (2sc, inc)*6 [24] Rnd 5-7: 24sc [24]Slst and F.O, leave long tail for sewing Stuff lightly Embroider nostrils with black yarn between rounds 5-6 Sew snout to face centered below eyes (around rounds 11-14)(24)

Finishing Head Details

With pink yarn, embroider a smile from round 14-15

Optional: Add pink blush to cheeks with fabric paint or embroidery

Ears (make 2)

With white/cream yarn: Rnd 1: mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3: (sc, inc)*6 [18] Rnd 4-8: 18sc [18] Rnd 9: (sc, dec)*6 [12]

Do not stuff Flatten and slst across to close Leave long tail for sewing

Inner Ear (optional, make 2)

With pink yarn: Rnd 1: mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3: (sc, inc)*6 [18]

Slst and F.O, leave tail Sew pink inner ear to white ear Attaching Ears: Sew ears to sides of head between rounds 5-8

Horns (make 2)

With tan/beige yarn: Rnd 1: mr 4sc [4] Rnd 2: 4 inc [8] Rnd 3-6: 8sc [8]

Stuff lightly Slst and F.O, leave long tail Sew horns to top of head between ears, slightly forward

Arms (Essential Component)

  1. Round 1Start with black yarn (for hooves): Rnd 1: mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3: 12sc [12](12)
  2. Round 2Change to white/main color yarn Rnd 4-9: 12sc [12] (6 rounds total) Rnd 10: (2sc, dec)*3 [9]Stuff lightly (do not stuff the top part)(12)
  3. Round 3Flatten the top and crochet through both sides with 4sc to close Slst and F.O, leave long tail for sewing Placement: Sew arms to the body at round 18, on the sides(4)

Position them symmetrically on each side of the body

Large Spot

With black yarn: Rnd 1: mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3: (sc, inc)*6 [18]

Slst and F.O, leave long tail

Medium Spot

  1. Round 1mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Slst and F.O, leave long tail

Small Spot

  1. Round 1mr 6sc [6] Slst and F.O, leave long tail Placement Tips: Sew spots randomly on head and body

Suggested: 1-2 spots on head, 3-4 spots on body Place spots asymmetrically for a natural cow pattern

Udder (Optional)

  1. Round 1With pink yarn: Rnd 1: mr 6sc [6] Rnd 2: 6 inc [12] Rnd 3: (sc, inc)*6 [18] Rnd 4-5: 18sc [18](18)

Teats (make 4)

  1. Round 1mr 4sc [4] Rnd 2-3: 4sc [4] Slst and F.O, leave tail Sew 4 teats evenly around udderStuff udder lightly Sew to underside of body (optional – for display only)

Tail Construction

  1. TailWith white yarn: Ch 10 Sc in 2nd ch from hook, 8sc [9]F.O, leave long tailTail Tuft (with black yarn): Cut 5-6 strands of black yarn, each 2 inches long. Attach to end of tail using lark's head knot. Trim to desired length.Sew tail to back of body at round 19-20(9)

Overalls: First Leg

  1. Round 1Ch 17 Rnd 1: slst in first ch to form ring, 16sc around [16] Rnd 2-3: 16sc [16] Slst and F.O(16)

Overalls: Second Leg

  1. Round 1Ch 17 Rnd 1: slst in first ch to form ring, 16sc around [16] Rnd 2-3: 16sc [16], ch2 at the end of rnd 3(16)

Overalls: Joining & Body

  1. Round 4Rnd 4: join to first leg with a SC, 15sc, 2sc in ch2, 16sc, 2sc in ch2 [36] Rnd 5-9: 36sc [36] Rnd 10: (10sc, dec)*3 [33]Before starting overalls, test the size around the legs. If too tight, use a crochet hook 1-2mm larger.(33)

Overalls: Bib

Start where you left off at round 10:

  1. BibSlst in next 5sc (to reach center position) Ch1, turn, 8sc (Ch1, turn, 8sc) – repeat 3-4 times as preferred Slst and F.O

Note The bib should be centered on the front of the overalls

Leg Pockets (make 2)

  1. Leg PocketCh 7 Sc in 2nd ch from hook, 5sc [6] (Ch1, turn, 6sc) – repeat 3 times Slst and F.O, leave long tail to sew to each pants leg(6)

Bib Pocket

  1. Bib PocketCh 6 Sc in 2nd ch from hook, 4sc [5] (Ch1, turn, 5sc) – repeat 4 times Slst and F.O, leave long tailSew to center of bib(5)

Straps (make 2)

  1. StrapsCh 14 (make shorter or longer as preferred) Sc in 2nd ch from hook, 12sc [13] F.O, leave long tailSew straps to corners of shorts. Position straps with 6sc distance between attachment points on the back(13)

Before the first stitch

  1. Check you have enough white and black yarn for spots of different sizes.
  2. Read through the head rounds once, especially the eye placement at rounds 9 and 10.
  3. Set stitch markers ready. Round counts jump fast in the increase rounds.

Minutes per piece

  • Legs (First and Second Leg) about 30 minutes because each is only 6 rounds
  • Main Head about 1 hour because of 18 rounds and eye placement

Other yarns that work

  • Acrylic worsted weight Keeps the same 4mm hook and size. Stitches stay crisp for spots.
  • Cotton DK weight Makes a smaller, firmer cow. Drops the hook down and stuffing shows less give.

Where it ends up

  • A shelf companion for a nursery, paired with other small amigurumi animals.
  • A soft toy for a toddler's basket, next to board books.
  • A gift topper tied to a wrapped present, sitting on the ribbon.

Joining up

  1. Step 1 Step 1: Head to Body: Sew the head securely to the body using the long tail from the body
  2. Step 2 Make sure the head is centered and facing forward
  3. Step 3 Use small stitches around the entire circumference
  4. Step 4 Step 2: Facial Features: Attach snout/muzzle centered below eyes
  5. Step 5 Embroider nostrils on snout with black yarn
  6. Step 6 Add smile with pink yarn
  7. Step 7 Optional: Add pink blush to cheeks
  8. Step 8 Step 3: Ears & Horns: Sew ears to sides of head (rounds 5-8)
  9. Step 9 Position horns on top of head between ears
  10. Step 10 Make sure both sides are symmetrical
  11. Step 11 Step 4: Arms: Sew arms to body at round 18 (just below the neck area)
  12. Step 12 Position symmetrically on each side
  13. Step 13 Make sure hooves (black part) face downward
  14. Step 14 Arms should hang naturally at the sides
  15. Step 15 Step 5: Cow Spots: Attach black spots randomly to head and body
  16. Step 16 Use an asymmetrical pattern for natural look
  17. Step 17 Suggested: 1-2 on head, 3-4 on body
  18. Step 18 Some spots can overlap arms slightly for realism
  19. Step 19 Step 6: Tail: Attach black yarn tuft to end of white tail
  20. Step 20 Sew tail to back of body at round 19-20
  21. Step 21 Step 7: Overalls: Dress cow in overalls
  22. Step 22 Attach straps over shoulders to back of overalls
  23. Step 23 Straps should go over the arms
  24. Step 24 Sew on leg pockets
  25. Step 25 Add bib pocket to center front
  26. Step 26 Step 8: Optional Udder: If making udder, attach to underside of body
  27. Step 27 This is decorative only
  28. Step 28 Finishing Touches: Weave in all loose ends
  29. Step 29 Shape and fluff the cow to desired appearance
  30. Step 30 Adjust arm position if needed
  31. Step 31 Your adorable cow doll is complete!

Small notes

  • Use a 4mm hook for the size stated. A smaller hook tightens stitches and shrinks the cow.
  • Place safety eyes between rounds 9 and 10, spaced 8-9 stitches apart, before stuffing.
  • Stuff the head firmly in stages, not all at once. It holds shape better that way.
  • Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified.
  • You can adjust the final size by using different yarn weights. For a larger cow, use thicker yarn and a larger hook; for a smaller cow, use thinner yarn and a smaller hook.
  • Stuff as you go to ensure even filling throughout your project.
  • Try different color combinations: Traditional Holstein (white body with black spots), Brown Swiss (brown body with darker brown spots), Jersey (light tan/beige body with cream accents), or Fantasy (any colors you like!).

Little questions

  • How tall does the finished cow end up?

    About 8-9 inches tall with the recommended yarn and 4mm hook. Thicker yarn makes it larger, thinner makes it smaller.

  • Can I skip the safety eyes?

    I would not skip them if a child will hold this toy. They lock in place better than embroidered eyes for little hands.

  • Why does the tail need a lark's head knot?

    It holds the black yarn strands firmly at the tip. Cut 5-6 strands about 2 inches long, then attach and trim to length.

  • How do I get spots that look natural?

    Vary the spot sizes across the body, using the Medium, Small, and Large Spot pieces. Placing them unevenly reads more like a real cow's markings.

Original pattern: https://amigurumicorner.com/baby-cow-crochet-pattern-free-amigurumi/

About the Author

Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.

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