purlJam

<pattern>

# Highland Cow Crochet Pattern

A sweet and cuddly highland cow plushie perfect for beginners! This adorable amigurumi toy features a simple construction using basic shapes and optional shaggy texture for that characteristic highland cow look.

**Finished Size**: Approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) tall when made with worsted weight yarn

**Difficulty Level**: Beginner

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight (4) acrylic or cotton blend
- Main Color (MC): Cream, tan, or light brown - approximately 80 yards
- Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Dark brown or black for hooves and nose - approximately 20 yards
- Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Light beige or ivory for snout - approximately 10 yards
- Contrast Color 3 (CC3): Cream or white for horns - approximately 5 yards

**Hook**: US E-4 (3.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

**Other Supplies**:
- Fiberfill stuffing (polyester)
- Yarn needle for sewing and weaving in ends
- Stitch marker
- Two 9mm black safety eyes OR black embroidery thread
- Pins for assembly
- Scissors
- Optional: Extra yarn in MC for adding shaggy fur texture

---

## GAUGE

20 stitches and 22 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet worked in continuous rounds

*Gauge is not critical for this project, but tighter stitches create a neater finish and prevent stuffing from showing through.*

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- MC = main color
- CC = contrast color
- [ ] = total stitch count at end of round

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## PATTERN NOTES

- Work in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise instructed; do not join or turn
- Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round
- Stuff pieces firmly as you work, especially before closing
- Work stitches tightly to prevent gaps
- All pieces are worked separately and sewn together at the end

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BODY (make 1 in MC)

The body is worked as an oval shape, starting with a foundation chain and working around it.

**Rnd 1**: Ch 6, starting in 2nd ch from hook: 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch; working along opposite side of chain: 3 sc, 2 sc in last st [12]

**Rnd 2**: inc, 3 sc, inc×3, 3 sc, inc×2 [18]
*Math check: 1+3+3+3+2 = 12 increases/sc, starting from 12 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: sc, inc, 3 sc, (sc, inc)×3, 3 sc, (sc, inc)×2 [24]
*Math check: 6 increases added, 18+6 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: 2 sc, inc, 3 sc, (2 sc, inc)×3, 3 sc, (2 sc, inc)×2 [30]
*Math check: 6 increases added, 24+6 = 30 ✓*

**Rnds 5-12**: sc in each st around [30]
*(8 rounds of even stitches)*

**Rnd 13**: 2 sc, dec, 3 sc, (2 sc, dec)×3, 3 sc, (2 sc, dec)×2 [24]
*Math check: 6 decreases, 30-6 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 14**: sc, dec, 3 sc, (sc, dec)×3, 3 sc, (sc, dec)×2 [18]
*Math check: 6 decreases, 24-6 = 18 ✓*

Begin stuffing body firmly.

**Rnd 15**: dec, 3 sc, (dec)×3, 3 sc, (dec)×2 [12]
*Math check: 6 decreases, 18-6 = 12 ✓*

Stuff body completely and firmly.

**Rnd 16**: dec around [6]
*Math check: 12÷2 = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use yarn needle to weave through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Weave in end.

---

### HEAD (make 1 in MC)

The head is a basic sphere shape.

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]
*Math check: 6×2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]
*Math check: 6 repeats, 12+6 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*Math check: 6 repeats, 18+6 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30]
*Math check: 6 repeats, 24+6 = 30 ✓*

**Rnds 6-11**: sc in each st around [30]
*(6 rounds of even stitches)*

Insert safety eyes between rounds 8 and 9, approximately 6 stitches apart, or mark placement for embroidered eyes.

**Rnd 12**: (3 sc, dec) around [24]
*Math check: 6 repeats, 30-6 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 13**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*Math check: 6 repeats, 24-6 = 18 ✓*

Begin stuffing head firmly.

**Rnd 14**: (sc, dec) around [12]
*Math check: 6 repeats, 18-6 = 12 ✓*

Stuff head completely.

**Rnd 15**: dec around [6]
*Math check: 12÷2 = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Use yarn needle to weave through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close.

---

### SNOUT (make 1 in CC2)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]
*Math check: 6×2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]
*Math check: 6 repeats, 12+6 = 18 ✓*

**Rnds 4-5**: sc in each st around [18]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly (just enough to give shape, not too puffy).

---

### LEGS (make 4)

Start with CC1 (dark brown/black) for hooves, then switch to MC.

**With CC1:**

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]
*Math check: 6×2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: sc in back loops only around [12]
*(This creates a ridge for the hoof)*

**Rnds 4-5**: sc in each st around [12]

**Switch to MC:**

**Rnds 6-11**: sc in each st around [12]
*(6 rounds in main color)*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff legs firmly, especially the bottom portion. The top 2 rounds can be stuffed lightly for easier attachment.

---

### EARS (make 2 in MC)

**Rnd 1**: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2**: (sc, inc) around [6]
*Math check: 2 repeats, 4+2 = 6 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: sc in each st around [6]

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [8]
*Math check: 2 repeats, 6+2 = 8 ✓*

**Rnds 5-7**: sc in each st around [8]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Flatten ear and pinch the bottom to create a curved shape.

---

### HORNS (make 2 in CC3)

**Rnd 1**: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2**: sc in each st around [4]

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [6]
*Math check: 2 repeats, 4+2 = 6 ✓*

**Rnds 4-5**: sc in each st around [6]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff horns lightly with small bits of stuffing to maintain shape but keep them flexible.

---

### NOSE (make 1 in CC1)

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]
*Math check: 6×2 = 12 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff. This will be sewn flat onto the snout.

---

## ASSEMBLY

Use pins to position pieces before sewing for best placement. Use the long tails and a yarn needle to whipstitch pieces securely, sewing through both the piece and the body/head with small, tight stitches.

**Step 1 - Attach Snout to Head**: 
Position snout on lower front of head, centered below eyes (approximately rounds 10-13). The snout should be slightly below and between the eyes. Pin in place, then sew around the edge using the tail, stuffing lightly if needed before closing completely.

**Step 2 - Attach Nose to Snout**: 
Center the nose circle on the front of the snout. Sew flat using CC1 tail, creating a slight curve for a natural nose shape.

**Step 3 - Attach Ears**: 
Position ears on sides of head at rounds 5-8, angled slightly outward and back. The ears should sit wide apart. Pin, then sew the bottom edge of each ear securely to the head, allowing ears to flop naturally.

**Step 4 - Attach Horns**: 
Position horns on top of head, between and slightly behind ears (approximately rounds 3-5). Horns should angle slightly upward and outward. Sew the base of each horn securely, working through multiple stitches for strength.

**Step 5 - Attach Head to Body**: 
Position head on top/front of body, with snout facing forward. The head should sit securely on the body with good contact. Pin, then sew around the connection point, adding a bit more stuffing to either piece if needed for a firm attachment.

**Step 6 - Attach Legs**: 
Position legs on underside of body. Place front legs toward the front edge and back legs toward the back edge, spacing them evenly (approximately 4-5 stitches apart on each side). Pin all four legs, check that the cow stands balanced, then sew each leg securely through the top rounds to the body.

**Step 7 - Add Facial Details** (if embroidering eyes instead of safety eyes):
With black embroidery thread or yarn, embroider eyes between rounds 8-9, approximately 6 stitches apart. You can make simple circles or add white highlights for extra cuteness. Add nostrils to nose with two small vertical stitches if desired.

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## FINISHING - SHAGGY FUR (OPTIONAL)

This step creates the characteristic shaggy "highland" look and can be customized to your preference.

**Method 1 - Loop Stitch Fringe** (Easier):

1. Cut approximately 50-60 strands of MC yarn, each 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) long
2. Using your crochet hook or a latch hook, add fringe to the head:
   - Insert hook through a stitch on the head
   - Fold one strand in half and pull the loop through
   - Pull the ends through the loop and tighten
3. Add fringe randomly over the top of head, around ears, and on the forehead for a shaggy fringe/bangs effect
4. Add a few strands on the body if desired
5. Trim and shape the fringe to your liking

**Method 2 - Surface Chain Loops** (More Advanced):

1. With MC and hook, insert hook through a stitch on head
2. Pull up a loop, ch 3-4, slip stitch back into the same hole
3. Repeat across the head in random placement
4. This creates small loops that look like curly fur

**Tip**: Focus the shaggy texture on the forehead and top of head for an authentic highland cow look without overwhelming the design.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

- Spot clean with damp cloth and mild soap
- Air dry completely
- Not suitable for machine washing due to embellishments
- Keep away from babies under 3 years if using safety eyes

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## VARIATIONS & CUSTOMIZATION

**Size Adjustments**:
- **Larger cow**: Use bulky weight yarn with 5.0mm hook (creates 6-8" toy)
- **Keychain size**: Use fingering weight yarn with 2.5mm hook (creates 2-3" toy)
- **Different proportions**: Add or subtract rounds in the even sections (body rounds 5-12, head rounds 6-11)