13 Crochet Cow Free Patterns
A crochet cow is one of the cutest farm animals you can make. The black and white spots, the pink nose and the little horns all come together into a toy that kids and grown-ups love. Highland cows with shaggy hair are a big favorite right now too.
We opened and checked all 13 free patterns below. There are tiny scrap-yarn cows, a baby rattle, a lovey, chunky squishy cows and two fluffy highland cows. Each one lists the skill level, yarn and hook so you can pick fast.
Crochet Cow Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Crochet hook set (2 mm to 8 mm)
- White, black or brown, and pink amigurumi yarn
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Safety eyes (6 mm to 12 mm)
- Locking stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- Small sharp scissors
1. Hazel the Highland Cow
Photo: Nicole Chase
Hazel is about 5 inches tall sitting or 7 inches standing. Her shaggy hair and tail are made with chains and slip stitches, and the body is mostly single crochet. The pattern has photos for every part, from the horns to the final assembly.
- Designer: Nicole Chase
- Skill level: Easy (rated advanced beginner)
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Cute Cow Amigurumi
Photo: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
This mini cow is only about 2.5 inches in cotton, or about 5 inches if you use chenille. It is made with simple single crochet, increases and decreases, and the page shows how to do the color changes for the spots. Great for keychains.
- Designer: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport cotton (#2) or super bulky chenille (#6)
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B/1) or 5 mm (H/8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Mini Cow by Grace and Yarn
Photo: Stephanie / Grace and Yarn
Despite the name, this cow is about 8 inches tall. It uses about 25 grams each of white and an accent color, plus a little pink for the nose. The designer calls it a great beginner-friendly project, and there are step photos for the nose, legs, ears and tail.
- Designer: Stephanie / Grace and Yarn
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Baby Cow Rattle
Photo: Ana Figueiredo / Little Crochet Farm
This sleepy baby cow doubles as a rattle, which makes it a sweet baby shower gift. It is about 7 inches tall and made with sport weight yarn and a small 2 mm hook. The designer made it with beginners in mind.
- Designer: Ana Figueiredo / Little Crochet Farm
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Cow Lovey with Granny Square Blanket
Photo: Petra Salisbury / Cuddly Stitches Craft
A cow head sits on top of a 13 by 13 inch granny square blanket. It is a perfect comfort toy for little ones. The pattern gives hook sizes for sport, DK and worsted yarn, so you can use what you have.
- Designer: Petra Salisbury / Cuddly Stitches Craft
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: DK (#3); sport (#2) or worsted (#4) also work
- Hook: 3 mm (C/2) for the head, 4 mm (G/6) for the blanket
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Mini Scrap Cows
Photo: StringyDingDing
These little cows are about 3.5 inches long and a great way to use up scraps. The pattern uses popcorn stitches plus front loop and back loop work, and you can add an optional red bow. Make a whole herd for gifts.
- Designer: StringyDingDing
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Maizee the Cow
Photo: Kati Brown / Hooked by Kati
Maizee is a no-sew cow, about 6 inches tall and 6 inches across. She is made with Red Heart Super Saver in white, black and pink, and uses bobble stitches. The page lists some intermediate techniques to practice, so she is a good next step after your first toys.
- Designer: Kati Brown / Hooked by Kati
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Crochet Highland Cow by Repeat Crafter Me
Photo: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
This chunky highland cow is about 10 inches tall. The hair is made of chain loops, and the tail is braided. The designer sizes down to an H hook with super bulky yarn to get tighter stitches.
- Designer: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Cow Squish
Photo: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
The Cow Squish is a round, squishy cow about 10 inches across. It is worked in half double crochet with Bernat Blanket yarn, so it grows fast and feels super soft. It also has little ears, feet and horns.
- Designer: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 8 mm (L)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Little Cow by Stella’s Yarn Universe
Photo: Stella Sharafi / Stella’s Yarn Universe
This brown and white cow is made with DK cotton and a 2.5 mm hook for neat, tight stitches. It is mostly single crochet, with a few back loop rounds. The designer says it suits intermediate and more experienced crocheters.
- Designer: Stella Sharafi / Stella’s Yarn Universe
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: DK cotton (#3)
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B/C)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Amigurumi Highland Cow by Yarn + Chai
Photo: Yarn + Chai
This velvet highland cow is about 12 inches tall. It uses the crossed single crochet stitch and short rows for shaping, which give it a nice texture. The designer rates it “easyish,” and there are step photos for several parts.
- Designer: Yarn + Chai
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Bulky velvet or chenille (#5)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Millie the Cow
Photo: Cheryl Bennett / Crochet 365 Knit Too
Millie is a tall cow, about 13.5 inches from head to feet. Every piece is made with single crochet, so the stitches are easy even if the project is big. The sample uses ivory, almond, soft pink and a sunny yellow.
- Designer: Cheryl Bennett / Crochet 365 Knit Too
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G-6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Adorable Mini Crochet Cow
Photo: Amelia / Amelia Makes
This sitting cow is about 6 inches tall and 3.5 inches wide. It uses only single crochet, increases, decreases, chains and slip stitches. The designer suggests it for beginners who know basic stitches, and there are photos of the assembly.
- Designer: Amelia / Amelia Makes
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Acrylic (see pattern)
- Hook: 3 mm (D) and 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First cow ever? Start with #2 or #4. Both are rated beginner.
- Want to use up scraps? #6 is made for leftover yarn.
- Hate sewing? Try #7. Maizee is no-sew.
- Love highland cows? Pick #1 for small, or #8 or #11 for big and fluffy.
- Making a baby gift? #4 is a rattle and #5 is a lovey.
FAQ
How do you make the spots on a crochet cow?
There are three common ways. You can change colors as you go, like in #2. You can crochet small flat spots and sew them on. Or you can embroider spots on at the end. Sewn-on spots are the easiest for beginners, since you do not have to carry yarn.
What yarn is best for a highland cow?
Velvet, chenille or other plush yarns give highland cows their soft, cozy look, like #11. For the shaggy hair, many patterns use chain loops or brushed yarn. Worsted acrylic also works well and is easier to see your stitches with, as in #1.
How big is a crochet cow?
It depends on the yarn and hook. Cotton with a small hook makes a mini cow of 2 to 4 inches. Worsted yarn usually makes a 5 to 8 inch cow. Super bulky or chenille yarn can make a cow 10 to 13 inches tall.
Pick your favorite and start a little herd of your own.