Hazel the Highland Cow – Free Crochet Pattern

This crochet highland cow was so much fun to design and I hope that you enjoy crocheting it as much as I did! I made this free highland cow crochet pattern in worsted weight yarn, but it looks amazing in a variety of different yarns!

I would classify this highland cow crochet pattern free as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

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Free Crochet Pattern for Hazel the Highland Cow

Abbreviations

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)

Special Stitches

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

• Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
• All pieces, with the exception of the tai and hair, are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Invisible decreases are recommended. Please see “Special Stitches”.
• Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.
• Body, head, legs, arms, and horns require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the ears.
• See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

Body

Using color A (shown as brown):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6-11: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R13-15: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Fill with stuffing.

Head

Using color B (shown as light brown):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

Using color A (shown as brown):

R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (21 sts)

R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (24 sts)

R9: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (27 sts)

R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (30 sts)

R11: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. Add a st marker to the last worked st. **2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from ** an additional 2 times. (36 sts)

The added st marker, and the st marker at the beginning of this round helps to indicate the front sides of the face. The first sequence of sts between the first and second st markers indicates the top of the head. The second sequence of sts between the second and first st markers indicates the bottom of the head. If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R8-9, with 7 sts between. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.

R12-14: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R15: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R17: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R18: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Fill head with stuffing.

R20: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand. Weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

Using color A (shown as brown):

R1: Begin with 4 SC in a magic ring. (4 sts)

R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R5-6:1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R8: Fold the ear closed, leaving 1 unworked st at the beginning of the fold. Working through both sides, to close the ear, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 2 unworked sts at the end of the fold. (3 sts) See tutorial photos.

Insert hook through the remaining 2 unworked sts, pinch the bottom of the ear to bring each end together, and working through both sides, join the ear with 1 SC. See tutorial photos.

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Horns (make 2)

Using color B (shown as light brown):

R1: Begin with 4 SC in a magic ring. (4 sts)

R2-3: 1 SC in each st around. (4 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Fill horns with stuffing.

Hair

Using color A (shown as brown):

R1: Ch 5, turn, starting in second ch from hook, sl st in each st to end. Do not fasten off. (4 sts)

R2: Ch 7, turn, starting in second ch from hook, sl st in each st to end. Do not fasten off. (6 sts)

R3: Ch 5, turn, starting in second ch from hook, sl st in each st to end. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Legs (make 2)

Using color C (shown as dark brown):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: Work in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R6: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Using color A (shown as brown):

R8-9: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (16 sts)

R11-15: 1 SC in each st around. (16 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R16: Fold the leg closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (7 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Arms (make 2)

Using color C (shown as dark brown):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: Work in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Using color A (shown as brown):

R7-13: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R14: Fold the arm closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (5 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Tail

Using color A (shown as brown):

R1: Ch 5, turn, 1 SC in second ch from hook and each ch to end. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Using color B (shown as light brown):

Join yarn to the end of the tail. See tutorial photos.

R1: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R2: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R3: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop.

Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in ends.

Assembly & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

Attach each ear pointing downward, over R14-15, leaving about 10 sts between each ear.

Attach horns on the inside of each ear, leaving 4 stitches between each horn, over R14-15.

Attach hair between R13-14 between the horns.

Attach head to body so that the nose is facing straight out, attaching body to approximately R10-16 of the bottom of the head.

Attach legs over R4-5 of body, with each inside end of the legs touching in the middle.

Attach arms over R11-15 on each side of the body. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 10 sts between each arm across the front of the body. At the bottom of the arms, leave approximately 15 sts between each arm across the front of the body.

Using color C (dark brown), embroider lines for the hooves by wrapping yarn around R3-5 of the middle of each arm and R3-6 of the middle of each leg.

Attach tail to the back of the body between R5-6.  

I hope you enjoyed this free crochet highland cow crochet pattern!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Hazel the Highland Cow

Tips & Tricks

• When assembling this free crochet highland cow pattern, use pins to hold your pieces in place.
• While crocheting your crochet highland cow, use stitch markers to indicate the beginning of each continuous round.
• Check out my list of amigurumi tips and tricks for more ways to improve your crochet highland cow.

Alterations

• Make a larger highland cow crochet pattern by using a plush yarn like Parfait Chunky and a comparable hook size.
• Create a different appearance to your crochet highland cow by changing the coloring to varying shades of cream, brown, and black.
• If you’re looking to make a Holstein cow, be sure to check out my free cow crochet pattern.

More Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

I hope you’ve enjoyed this free crochet highland cow crochet pattern. For more fun amigurumi projects to make after the crochet highland cow, be sure to check out my full list of amigurumi farm animals, crochet dinosaur collection, and my list of animal amigurumi designs!