Are you learning to crochet amigurumi, or do you already have a menagerie on your shelf? Either way, this guide to crochet cow patterns will introduce you to the perfect new stuffed animal pattern.
You’ll also learn how to choose the best yarn for your amigurumi cow and discover the answers to common questions about crocheting plush toys.
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Why You’ll Love Making Cow Plushies
How to Crochet an Amigurumi Cow
As long as you know basic crochet stitches, amigurumi can be easy to learn. Most amigurumi cows are made from a combination of shapes, such as:
- spheres
- tubes
- 3D ovals
Working in the Round
Amigurumi is worked in spiral rounds, so you don’t have to join the end of each round with a slip stitch. I recommend using a stitch marker to keep track of where each round ends.
Changing Colors
If you’re new to making amigurumi animals, look for patterns in block colors, without spots or stripes. This will save you the stress of changing colors mid-shape. If you choose a more advanced pattern, try this simple way to change color without weaving in your ends.
How to Easily Create Cow Spots
Some crochet cows have distinctive spots. If you want to include them but don’t want to change your yarn color, you can appliqué the shapes to your finished animal at the end of your project.
Stuffing Your Animal
Before you sew up your cow, you’ll need to stuff it. Add enough stuffing to give the animal a sturdy shape and a pleasantly squishy feel, but be careful not to over-stuff – it can make a crochet cow difficult to pose.
PRO TIP: Try adding stuffing as you work, especially if making narrower shapes. Otherwise, getting the stuffing to the end of a long limb can be tricky.
More Free Amigurumi Patterns
If you can’t get enough cute crochet stuffies, you’ll love these free patterns.
Free Crochet Cow Patterns
Yarn animals come in all shapes and sizes, but a cute cow will always stand out from the herd. With their distinctive horns, hooves, and snout, cows are popular amigurumi toys.
As long as a pattern includes those stand-out cow features, your plushie will be recognizable as a cow – no matter how simple it is. That’s why easy crochet cow patterns are doable even if you’re new to the craft.
Our comprehensive guide also includes more detailed patterns so experienced crocheters can “moo-ve” forward.
Easy Cow Patterns for Beginners
If this is your first time choosing an amigurumi cow pattern, I recommend starting with these simple, adorable crochet cows. While these patterns are quite easy, if you’re brand new to crocheting toys, I recommend trying a few of the easiest amigurumi patterns first.
Simple Strawberry Cow
Round Cow Pillow
Squishy Calf Pattern
Classic Standing Cow
Cartoon Cow
Quaint, Cute Cows
These cow patterns are more complex, with details that give them extra personality. They’re perfect for crocheters who have mastered the basics. Check out this collection of crochet doll patterns for more ways to add character to amigurumi projects.
Flower Crown Cow
Dressed-Up Cow
Our Latest Crochet Inspiration:
Here are a few more free crochet patterns and tutorials that are hot off the presses.
Amigurumi Cow Plushies
Whatever shape or size you want, you’ll find the perfect cow amigurumi pattern here.
Mini Key Chain Cow
Related: Mini Amigurumi Keychains
Cute Colorful Cow Pattern
Related: More Crochet Patterns to Make With Scrap Yarn
Black and White Cow
Big Cuddly Cow Plush
Cherry Blossom Cow
Friendly Alpine Cow Pattern
Lifelike Standing Cow
Adorable Brown Cow
Related: The Cutest Dinosaur Crochet Patterns
Beautiful White Cow With Udder
Cow With Milk
Colorful Tank Top Cow
Strawberry Cow Patterns
These strawberry cows are crocheted in cute colors, and they’re super satisfying to hold. They make the perfect first birthday gifts for young children.
Cow with Heart-Shaped Spots
Chunky Cow Crochet Pattern
Related: 40 Best Crochet Gift Ideas
Obsessed with finding the best free crochet patterns?
Check out these collections of handpicked patterns to find your next project.
You must use the category name, not a URL, in the category field.What You’ll Need for Plushie Patterns
Luckiily, crocheting a cow will require many of the same materials used for other amigurumi projects.
Main Supplies
In general, you will need all of the following supplies for your crochet cow:
- Yarn, in the weight specified by your pattern
- A crochet hook in the size specified by your pattern
- A yarn needle to weave in ends
- Scissors to cut your yarn
- Stitch markers to keep track of where your rounds begin
- Stuffing to fill your plushie
Optional Materials
Depending on your pattern, you may also need these extras:
- Measuring tape
- Safety eyes
- Beads or buttons (for eyes or clothing details)
- Embroidery thread (for adding details or facial features)
- An erasable fabric pen (for marking the placement of eyes or limbs)
- A key ring and chain
Best Yarn for Crochet Amigurumi Projects
Some types of yarn are better than others for crochet cow projects. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you choose.
Fiber Type
Cotton yarns like Lion Brand’s 24/7 Cotton hold their shape well, which makes them great for beginners.
If you’re gifting your plush cow to a child, consider an acrylic yarn like Heartland or Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling. Both yarns are snuggly and machine-washable.
Yarn Weight
Worsted, DK, and sport weight yarns are most popular for amigurumi. DK and sport weight offer a good thickness and clear stitch details, while worsted weight is faster when making larger plushies. I love 24/7 Cotton DK yarn for smaller projects and Hometown for extra big stuffed toys.
Pro Tip: Any crochet cow pattern can be made with bulky yarn to create a larger stuffed animal. Adjust your hook size accordingly if you use yarn other than what’s listed in a pattern.
Reading an Amigurumi Pattern
Most beginner amigurumi patterns use familiar basic crochet stitches. Here are the common stitches you’ll find in crochet cow patterns, along with their standard abbreviations:
| Crochet Stitch | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| magic circle/magic ring | mc/mr |
| single crochet | sc |
| double crochet | dc |
| slip stitch | sl st |
| increase | inc |
| decrease | dec |
Crochet Cow Pattern FAQs
Check out the answers to the most common questions about making adorable plush cows.
Cows can be easy to crochet, or they can be more of a challenge – it all depends on the pattern you choose. Start with a beginner-friendly pattern, and you’ll have an easier time making a crochet cow. If you want to challenge yourself, you can move on to a more complex pattern later.
You can make adorable yarn animals with knitting and crochet. Crocheting stuffies tends to be easier than knitting toys because you only have one hook and one active loop when you crochet. You have to manage two active loops and two needles when you knit.
Crochet is also faster to work in the round and less likely to unravel as you work.
More Free Crochet Patterns
Try pairing a crochet cow with a baby blanket for a thoughtful baby shower or birthday gift.
More baby blanket patterns →
Learn a New Skill
When you’re ready to master a new skill, check out our detailed guides that include everything you need to know to level up your crochet game.
- How to Corner to Corner (C2C) Crochet for Beginners – with video tutorials to get you started
- How to Crochet a Beginner Hat – make an entire beanie in 1.5 hours!
- How to Crochet Amigurumi for Beginners – the ultimate guide to making your own toys and plushies
- How to Tunisian Crochet – learn with this video and a standard hook
That was so fun! Now what?
Invitation to our Facebook group
Come discuss crocheting cow amigurumi patterns and lots of other projects and techniques in our Make & Do Crew Facebook group. Here thousands of helpful crocheters answer each other’s questions and share their stitches. Join us!
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