Hazel the Highland Cow – Free Crochet Pattern

ByNicole Chase Updated on

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Meet Hazel! I’m so excited to share this highland cow crochet pattern free here on my blog. I designed this crochet highland cow to be a quick, approachable project for amigurumi lovers of all skill levels. I used worsted weight yarn for mine, but one of my favorite things about this pattern is how great it looks in different yarns.

Hazel the Highland Cow: a finished amigurumi project made from this highland cow crochet pattern free. The plush cow features a brown body, tan muzzle and horns, and a shaggy tuft of hair on its head.

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

I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern available here on my blog! An ad-free, formatted PDF version of this crochet pattern is also available for purchase here:

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Etsy

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View of Hazel the Highland Cow in a standing position, made using this highland cow crochet pattern free. The crochet highland cow features dark brown hooves, a brown body, and shaggy hair on its head.

Free Crochet Pattern for Hazel the Highland Cow

Pattern Specifics

Measurements: Approximately 5” tall (sitting) or 7” tall (standing)
Gauge: Not necessary for this pattern; see notes
Hook Size: 4.0mm (G) crochet hook
Other Tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors
Yarn Weight: Medium (4) Worsted Weight
Yarn Used: WeCrochet/Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Yardage: color A (brown): 62 yds, color B (light brown): 7 yds, color C (dark brown): 20 yds
Other Materials: poly-fil stuffing, 9mm safety eyes

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.

The crochet body of Hazel the Highland Cow filled with stuffing.

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.

The head of the crochet highland cow after R11, prior to the insertion of safety eyes.
The head of the crochet highland cow, showing the proper placement of the safety eyes.

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.

The finished head of Hazel the Highland Cow amigurumi.

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.

The finished ears for the highland cow pattern in brown yarn.

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.

The finished horns of the crochet highland cow pattern crocheted in light brown yarn.

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.

Crocheting the hair for the top of the highland cow's head, part 1.
Crocheting the hair for the top of the highland cow's head, part 2.
Crocheting the hair for the top of the highland cow's head, part 3.
Crocheting the hair for the top of the highland cow's head, part 4.
Crocheting the hair for the top of the highland cow's head, part 5.
Crocheting the hair for the top of the highland cow's head, part 6.
Crocheting the hair for the top of the highland cow's head, part 7.

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)

leg piece, filled with stuffing, prior to the leg being closed
leg piece with hook inserted through both sides to crochet them together
leg piece closed nearly all the way with single crochet stitches
leg piece closed nearly all the way with single crochet stitches, with hook through both sides of the next st
finished leg piece prior to fastening off
finished leg piece with long tail for sewing

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

The finished legs of the crochet highland cow pattern shown in brown yarn with dark brown hooves.

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.

The finished arms of the amigurumi highland cow pattern shown in brown yarn with dark brown hooves.

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.

The first part of the highland cow's crochet tail.
Attaching light brown yarn to the top of the highland cow's tail in order to create the loops on the end of the tail.

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.

Crocheting the loops on the tip of the highland cow's tail, part 1.
Crocheting the loops on the tip of the highland cow's tail, part 2.
Crocheting the loops on the tip of the highland cow's tail, part 3.
Crocheting the loops on the tip of the highland cow's tail, part 4.
Crocheting the loops on the tip of the highland cow's tail, part 5.
Crocheting the loops on the tip of the highland cow's tail, part 6.
Crocheting the loops on the tip of the highland cow's tail, part 7.
Crocheting the loops on the tip of the highland cow's tail, part 8.

Assembly & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

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

The crochet ears are pinned to each side of the crochet highland cow's head.
The crochet ears of the amigurumi highland cow have been sewn into place, view 1.
The crochet ears of the amigurumi highland cow have been sewn into place, view 2.
The crochet ears of the amigurumi highland cow have been sewn into place, view 3.

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

The horns of the highland cow have been pinned into place prior to sewing.
The crochet horns of the highland cow amigurumi have been sewn into place, view 1.
The crochet horns of the highland cow amigurumi have been sewn into place, view 2.
The crochet horns of the highland cow amigurumi have been sewn into place, view 3.

Attach hair between R13-14 between the horns.

Pinning the hair of the free highland cow crochet pattern in place on the top of the head.
The hair has been sewn into place on top of the head for this highland cow crochet pattern free, view 1.
The hair has been sewn into place on top of the head for this highland cow crochet pattern free, view 2.

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

Pinning the highland cow's crochet head to the top of the body, prior to sewing.
The body of the highland cow crochet pattern has been sewn into place on the bottom of the head, view 1.
The body of the highland cow crochet pattern has been sewn into place on the bottom of the head, view 2.
The body of the highland cow crochet pattern has been sewn into place on the bottom of the head, view 3.

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

The legs of the amigurumi highland cow have been pinned into place on the bottom of the body.
The crochet legs for the highland cow pattern have been sewn into place, view 1.
The crochet legs for the highland cow pattern have been sewn into place, view 2.
The crochet legs for the highland cow pattern have been sewn into place, view 3.

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.

The arms of the highland cow crochet pattern have been pinned into place on the sides of the body.
The arms of the crochet highland cow have been sewn into place on the sides of the body, view 1.
The arms of the crochet highland cow have been sewn into place on the sides of the body, view 2.
The arms of the crochet highland cow have been sewn into place on the sides of the body, view 3.

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.

Embroidering lines on the hooves of the crochet highland cow arms, part 1.
Embroidering lines on the hooves of the crochet highland cow arms, part 2.
Embroidering lines on the hooves of the crochet highland cow arms, part 3.
Embroidering lines on the hooves of the crochet highland cow arms, part 4.
Embroidering lines on the hooves of the crochet highland cow arms, part 5.
Embroidering lines on the hooves of the crochet highland cow arms, part 6.
The completed embroidery on the arms and legs for the crochet highland cow pattern, view 1.
The completed embroidery on the arms and legs for the crochet highland cow pattern, view 2.

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

Pinning the tail to the back of the body on the amigurumi highland cow crochet pattern.
The tail of the crochet highland cow has been sewn into place on the back of the body, view 1.
The tail of the crochet highland cow has been sewn into place on the back of the body, view 2.

I hope you enjoyed making Hazel with this highland cow crochet pattern free! Designing this crochet highland cow was such a rewarding process, and I’d love to see how your vision turned out, especially if you experimented with different yarn textures for the shaggy hair.

A close up view of the finished head of the free highland cow crochet pattern, Hazel the Highland Cow amigurumi, detailing the shaggy hair, horns, and ears.
A Pinterest pin for Hazel the Highland Cow featuring three different views of the finished amigurumi highland cow. A bright pink banner in the middle reads "FREE CROCHET PATTERN", "Hazel the Highland Cow".
Brava yarn by Crochet.com

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Hazel the Highland Cow

Ravelry
Etsy

Expert Tips for the Best Highland Cow Amigurumi

  • Precision Assembly: When assembling this free highland cow crochet pattern, use pins to secure the pieces in place before sewing. This prevents shifting and ensures your cow doesn’t end up with a lopsided face. I really like to use T-pins for this.
  • Seamless Rounds: Since you are working in continuous rounds for this free highland cow crochet pattern, always place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round. This is essential to maintaining the correct stitch count for the crochet highland cow’s shaping.
  • Master Your Technique: If you are new to making amigurumi, be sure to check out my ultimate guide of amigurumi tips and tricks for more ways to make your finished crochet highland cow look professional.

Customizing Your Highland Cow

  • Go Big with Plush Yarn: To create a jumbo version of this highland cow crochet pattern free, swap the worsted weight for a plush chenille yarn like Parfait Chunky. Whatever yarn you end up with, make sure that you are using the right hook size to suit it. Check out my full tutorial on choosing the right hook size for your amigurumi project.
  • Color Variations: While the traditional ginger brown color that I used is iconic for this free highland cow crochet pattern, you can customize your crochet highland cow by using shades of cream, black, or deep brown.
  • Looking for a Different Cow? If you prefer a classic spotted look instead of this highland with a shaggy style, make a Holstein cow using my free cow crochet pattern.

More Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

If you enjoyed making Hazel, you might also love some of my other easy-to-follow crochet pattern designs!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern! If you make it, leave me a comment below.

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Follow along with me on Instagram for daily updates and a behind the scenes look at my designs.

I’d love to see what you make with this tutorial! Don’t forget to share your finished work with me: on social media by tagging me @thenicolechase, in your Ravelry projects, or post over in my Facebook group!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!

Nicole

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PATTERN MAY NOT BE ALTERED, COPIED, REDISTRIBUTED OR SOLD AS YOUR OWN PATTERN. 
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2 Comments

  1. Nicole,
    Your Highland Cow is adorable. I put on 2 slits for nostrels and a line for mouth in black yarn. I also cut about 30 strands of yarn for the tousled look and latch-hooked them on. A jingle bell looks good around her neck. She’s mounted on a doll stand. Thankyou for sharing.
    Marie

    Reply

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