purlJam

**Pattern Name:** Hamish the Highland Cow
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Yarn Weight:** Bulky (Category 5) or Super Bulky (Category 6)
**Finished Measurements:** Approximately 7.5 - 8 inches tall (seated)

### DESCRIPTION
Create a rustic, huggable Highland Cow ("Coo") with this intermediate amigurumi pattern. Designed for bulky weight yarn to give it a soft, substantial feel and quick work-up time. The pattern features a seamless body-to-head construction, separate limb attachment, and the signature "shaggy" fringe technique that gives the Highland Cow its iconic look.

### MATERIALS
*   **Yarn:** Bulky Weight (Category 5) or Super Bulky (Category 6).
    *   Color A (Main Body/Hair): Approx. 150 yards (Rust/Ginger)
    *   Color B (Snout/Horns): Approx. 30 yards (Cream/Beige)
    *   Color C (Hooves): Approx. 20 yards (Dark Brown)
*   **Hook:** US J/10 (6.0 mm) or size needed to obtain tight gauge (stitches should not have gaps).
*   **Notions:**
    *   Polyester fiberfill stuffing
    *   Safety eyes (12mm - 15mm recommended for bulky yarn)
    *   Yarn needle (large eye)
    *   Stitch markers
    *   Scissors
    *   Pins for assembly

### GAUGE
12 sc x 13 rows = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm).
*Note: Gauge is not critical for sizing, but tension must be tight enough to prevent stuffing from showing through.*

### TERMINOLOGY & ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)
*   **ch:** chain
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **sc:** single crochet
*   **inc:** increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
*   **dec:** invisible decrease (insert hook into front loop of first st, insert hook into front loop of next st, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops)
*   **BLO:** back loop only
*   **FLO:** front loop only
*   **(...) x #:** repeat instructions in parentheses the number of times indicated
*   **[...]:** total stitch count at the end of the round

### PATTERN NOTES
1.  **Construction:** The legs, ears, snout, and horns are made first. The body and head are worked in one continuous piece from the bottom up.
2.  **Spirals:** Work in continuous spiral rounds. Do not join or turn unless instructed. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
3.  **The "Hair":** The shaggy coat is added after assembly using a latch-hook technique. Do not worry if the head looks plain before the hair is added.
4.  **Yarn Choice:** A chenille-style or velvet yarn creates a plush toy, while a bulky wool/acrylic blend creates a more rustic, textured look.

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### INSTRUCTIONS

#### SNOUT
*Make 1 with Color B (Cream).*
**Rnd 1:** Ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working down the other side of the chain: sc in next 3 ch, 2 sc in last ch (the same ch where you started). [12]
**Rnd 2:** Inc in first st, sc 3, (inc) x 3, sc 3, (inc) x 2. [18]
**Rnd 3:** Sc 1, inc, sc 4, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 4, inc, sc 1, inc. [24]
**Rnd 4-5:** Sc in each st around. [24]
*Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff when sewing to face.*

#### HORNS
*Make 2 with Color B (Cream).*
**Rnd 1:** Magic Ring, 4 sc. [4]
**Rnd 2:** (Sc 1, inc) x 2. [6]
**Rnd 3:** Sc in each st around. [6]
**Rnd 4:** (Sc 2, inc) x 2. [8]
**Rnd 5-7:** Sc in each st around. [8]
*Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Lightly stuff.*

#### EARS
*Make 2 with Color A (Rust).*
**Rnd 1:** Magic Ring, 6 sc. [6]
**Rnd 2:** (Sc 2, inc) x 2. [8]
**Rnd 3:** (Sc 3, inc) x 2. [10]
**Rnd 4-6:** Sc in each st around. [10]
**Rnd 7:** (Sc 3, dec) x 2. [8]
*Fasten off, leaving a tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the ear and fold slightly in half at the base when sewing.*

#### ARMS (Front Legs)
*Make 2. Start with Color C (Dark Brown).*
**Rnd 1:** Magic Ring, 6 sc. [6]
**Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. [12]
**Rnd 3:** In **BLO**, sc in each st around. [12]
**Rnd 4:** *Change to Color A (Rust).* Sc in each st around. [12]
**Rnd 5-9:** Sc in each st around. [12]
*Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff the bottom firm, leave top lightly stuffed.*

#### LEGS (Back Legs)
*Make 2. Start with Color C (Dark Brown).*
**Rnd 1:** Magic Ring, 6 sc. [6]
**Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. [12]
**Rnd 3:** (Sc 1, inc) x 6. [18]
**Rnd 4:** In **BLO**, sc in each st around. [18]
**Rnd 5:** *Change to Color A (Rust).* Sc in each st around. [18]
**Rnd 6:** (Sc 4, dec) x 3. [15]
**Rnd 7-8:** Sc in each st around. [15]
*Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff firmly.*

#### BODY & HEAD
*Worked in one piece starting at the bottom. Use Color A (Rust).*

**Rnd 1:** Magic Ring, 6 sc. [6]
**Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. [12]
**Rnd 3:** (Sc 1, inc) x 6. [18]
**Rnd 4:** (Sc 2, inc) x 6. [24]
**Rnd 5:** (Sc 3, inc) x 6. [30]
**Rnd 6:** (Sc 4, inc) x 6. [36]
**Rnd 7-13:** Sc in each st around. (7 rounds). [36]
**Rnd 14:** (Sc 4, dec) x 6. [30]
**Rnd 15:** Sc in each st around. [30]
**Rnd 16:** (Sc 3, dec) x 6. [24]
**Rnd 17:** Sc in each st around. [24]
**Rnd 18:** (Sc 2, dec) x 6. [18] *Start stuffing the body firmly.*

*Neck shaping complete. Now continuing directly into Head.*

**Rnd 19:** (Sc 2, inc) x 6. [24]
**Rnd 20:** (Sc 3, inc) x 6. [30]
**Rnd 21:** (Sc 4, inc) x 6. [36]
**Rnd 22:** (Sc 5, inc) x 6. [42]
**Rnd 23-29:** Sc in each st around (7 rounds). [42]

*Note: Pause here to attach facial features.*
1.  Sew the **Snout** centered on the face, encompassing Rounds 20-24 roughly. Stuff snout lightly before closing.
2.  Insert **Safety Eyes** above the snout, between Rounds 26 and 27, approx. 6-7 stitches apart. Ensure they are visible above the snout.

**Rnd 30:** (Sc 5, dec) x 6. [36]
**Rnd 31:** (Sc 4, dec) x 6. [30]
**Rnd 32:** (Sc 3, dec) x 6. [24]
**Rnd 33:** (Sc 2, dec) x 6. [18] *Finish stuffing head.*
**Rnd 34:** (Sc 1, dec) x 6. [12]
**Rnd 35:** Dec around. [6]
*Fasten off and weave in end to close the hole.*

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### ASSEMBLY

1.  **Legs:** Sew the larger back legs to the bottom of the body, angled slightly outward so the cow can sit.
2.  **Arms:** Sew the front arms to the body at approximately Round 14 (just below the neck decrease).
3.  **Horns:** Sew horns to the top sides of the head at Round 30.
4.  **Ears:** Sew ears directly below the horns.

### THE "SHAGGY" FINISH (The Highland Look)
This step transforms the standard cow into a Highland Cow.

1.  **Prepare Strands:** Cut many strands of Color A (Rust) approx. 4 inches long.
2.  **The "Bangs" (Forelock):**
    *   Identify the space on the forehead between the horns and just above the eyes.
    *   Insert your hook under a stitch post. Fold a yarn strand in half, pull the loop through, then pull the tails through the loop (Lark's Head Knot).
    *   Repeat this densely across the forehead.
    *   *Trim:* Trim these strands so they hang over the tops of the eyes but don't completely obscure the snout.
3.  **The Body Hair:**
    *   Attach strands using the same method randomly around the back of the head and the shoulders/upper body.
    *   You do not need to cover every stitch; spacing them out every other stitch provides good coverage with bulky yarn.
    *   Trim the body hair slightly to make it look groomed but shaggy.

### CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Spot clean with warm water and mild detergent. Do not machine wash if using safety eyes or felt details. Fluff the hair strands after drying.