Charlie the Cow — Double-Size Amigurumi (Advanced)

A jumbo version of the classic crochet cow, standing about 12–13" (30–33 cm) tall — roughly twice the size of a standard small amigurumi cow.

Finished Size

• Height (seated): approx. 12–13" (30–33 cm)
• Body diameter: approx. 5.7" (14.5 cm)

Gauge

• 4 sc x 4.5 rows = 1" (2.5 cm) in single crochet
• Gauge should be tight/dense so stuffing does not show.

Materials

• Worsted weight (#4) yarn:
  • Main color (white or cream): ~250 yds (230 m)
  • Contrast (black/brown for spots): ~80 yds (73 m)
  • Pink (muzzle/inner ear): ~40 yds (37 m)
  • Small amount tan/gray for horns
• Hook: US G-6 / 4.0 mm (one size down from label for tight gauge)
• Safety eyes: 12 mm (2)
• Polyester fiberfill (this size uses a lot — have ~10 oz on hand)
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Optional: pipe cleaner or floral wire for horn stability

Abbreviations (US terms)

• sc – single crochet; inc – 2 sc in same st; dec – invisible decrease (FLO of next 2 sts, yo, pull through both, yo pull through all 3); st(s) – stitch(es); rnd – round; FLO – front loops only; MR – magic ring
• Work in continuous spirals; do not join unless stated. Move marker each round.

HEAD (Main color)

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc in each st [12] (6+6=12 ✓)
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 [18] (12+6 ✓)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6 [24] (18+6 ✓)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x6 [30] (24+6 ✓)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x6 [36] (30+6 ✓)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x6 [42] (36+6 ✓)
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x6 [48] (42+6 ✓)
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) x6 [54] (48+6 ✓)
• Rnd 10: (8 sc, inc) x6 [60] (54+6 ✓)
• Rnds 11–22: sc in each st (12 even rnds) [60]
• Insert 12 mm safety eyes between Rnds 16–17, about 9 sts apart. Stuff firmly as you decrease.
• Rnd 23: (8 sc, dec) x6 [54] (60−6 ✓)
• Rnd 24: (7 sc, dec) x6 [48] (54−6 ✓)
• Rnd 25: (6 sc, dec) x6 [42] (48−6 ✓)
• Rnd 26: (5 sc, dec) x6 [36] (42−6 ✓)
• Rnd 27: (4 sc, dec) x6 [30] (36−6 ✓)
• Rnd 28: (3 sc, dec) x6 [24] (30−6 ✓)
• Stuff very firmly.
• Rnd 29: (2 sc, dec) x6 [18] (24−6 ✓)
• Rnd 30: (sc, dec) x6 [12] (18−6 ✓)
• Rnd 31: dec x6 [6] (12−6 ✓)
• Fasten off, close hole with yarn needle.

MUZZLE (Pink)

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc x6 [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 [18]
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6 [24]
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x6 [30]
• Rnds 6–8: sc around [30]
• Fasten off, leave long tail. Lightly stuff before sewing. Embroider two nostrils with contrast yarn.

BODY (Main color)

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc x6 [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 [18]
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6 [24]
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x6 [30]
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x6 [36]
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x6 [42]
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x6 [48]
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) x6 [54]
• Rnd 10: (8 sc, inc) x6 [60]
• Rnd 11: (9 sc, inc) x6 [66] (60+6 ✓)
• Rnd 12: (10 sc, inc) x6 [72] (66+6 ✓)
• Rnds 13–28: sc around (16 even rnds) [72]
• Rnd 29: (10 sc, dec) x6 [66]
• Rnd 30: (9 sc, dec) x6 [60]
• Rnd 31: (8 sc, dec) x6 [54]
• Rnd 32: (7 sc, dec) x6 [48]
• Stuff firmly.
• Rnd 33: (6 sc, dec) x6 [42]
• Rnd 34: (5 sc, dec) x6 [36]
• Rnd 35: (4 sc, dec) x6 [30]
• Continue stuffing very firmly.
• Rnd 36: (3 sc, dec) x6 [24]
• Rnd 37: (2 sc, dec) x6 [18]
• Leave open; do not close. Fasten off with long tail for sewing to head.

LEGS (make 4; Main color, hoof in contrast)

• With contrast (hoof):
• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc x6 [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 [18]
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6 [24]
• Rnds 5–6: sc around [24]
• Rnd 7: (2 sc, dec) x6 [18] (shapes hoof top)
• Switch to Main color:
• Rnds 8–16: sc around (9 rnds) [18]
• Stuff firmly. Fasten off, leave long tail.

ARMS (make 0 — cows use 4 legs; skip if seated four-legged)

If you prefer a seated cartoon cow with 2 front legs raised, use two of the legs above as arms and position accordingly.

EARS (make 2; Main color, inner in pink)

Worked flat.

• Ch 8. Starting in 2nd ch from hook: sc across (7 sc), 3 sc in last ch, continue along opposite side sc across [17]
• Rnd 2: sc around, adding 2 sc evenly at the rounded tip [19]
• Rnd 3: sc around [19]
• Fasten off. Make a matching pink piece one row shorter; whip stitch pink to the front. Pinch base and sew.

HORNS (make 2; tan/gray)

• Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR [4]
• Rnd 2: sc around [4]
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x2 [6]
• Rnd 4: sc around [6]
• Rnd 5: (2 sc, inc) x2 [8]
• Rnds 6–7: sc around [8]
• Insert a short pipe cleaner for curve/stability. Fasten off, leave tail.

SPOTS (make 3–4; contrast)

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc x6 [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 [18]
• Sl st to next st, fasten off, leave tail. Make irregular shapes by adding a few extra inc on one side for organic cow spots.

TAIL (Main color, tuft in contrast)

• Ch 1, then in a MR: 6 sc [6]
• Rnds 2–14: sc around [6] (a thin tube ~3.5"/9 cm)
• Add a small contrast tassel/tuft at the end. Fasten off.

ASSEMBLY

1. Head to body: Add extra stuffing through the open body top. Pin head firmly onto the 18-st body opening. Whip stitch all the way around twice with doubled main-color yarn for a strong neck join (critical at this size to prevent flopping).
2. Muzzle: Center on the lower face, spanning about Rnds 13–20. Stuff lightly, whip stitch. Embroider nostrils.
3. Eyes: Already inserted; ensure secured before closing.
4. Ears: Attach on either side of the head near Rnd 10, angled outward.
5. Horns: Sew between the ears, close together at the top of the head.
6. Legs: For a seated four-legged pose, sew two front legs at the lower front of the body and two back legs splayed at the base. For stability (per template): splay the base legs slightly outward and sew them along the lower sides so the figure won't roll or topple.
7. Spots: Scatter and whip stitch spots across body and head.
8. Tail: Sew to the back center of the body.
9. Embroider mouth and any freckles as desired.

Safety Notes

• Use 12 mm safety eyes (not buttons) and secure backings firmly.
• Anchor all limbs with doubled yarn; at double size the extra weight stresses seams. Tug-test each part.
• For children under 3, embroider eyes with black yarn instead of safety eyes.

Note on scaling accuracy

This pattern is engineered at roughly 2× a standard small cow (peak head 60 sts, body 72 sts). If you share the original Charlie pattern's exact round-by-round stitch counts, I can precisely double each peak count and even-round length so it matches Charlie's proportions exactly rather than a generic cow. The reliable scaling rule is: double the peak stitch counts and double the number of even (straight) rounds, which yields ~2× height and ~2× width.