Cows are undeniably cute, and even more so when reimagined as soft, cuddly yarn creations. These crochet cow patterns are not just whimsical and fun, they’re free too! You’ll find everything from loveable cow plushies for the kids to quirky cow hats, slippers, and even some practical potholders.
Free Crochet Cow Patterns
Crochet cows are classic amigurumi projects that are great for giving to babies, kids, or even cow-loving adults! In this post, you’ll find a list of our favorite crochet cow patterns for all skill levels. And we’re here to give you tips along the way, from picking out the best yarn to mastering the basic crochet stitches.
Variety of patterns. Most of the patterns in this list are cow amigurumi (in nearly every shape and size!) Beyond adorable amigurumi cows, this list also includes practical designs like cow hats, slippers, and potholders.
Beginner-friendly. Even if you’re just learning how to crochet, you can make a crochet cow if you can work a few basic stitches and techniques! This list has patterns for both beginners and intermediate crafters.
Versatile projects. Besides being perfect for children’s toys and gifts, crochet cows also make fun farmhouse decor and can be popular for selling at craft shows, too. After all, who wouldn’t want these cute cow creations?
25 Free Crochet Cow Patterns
Enjoy these free crochet cow patterns for your next project. Happy crocheting!
Cow Amigurumi
This amigurumi cow measures approximately 8” x 3.5”. The head and body is worked in one piece, with the face pieces, limbs, udder, spots, and tail crocheted and attached next. You’ll need to know how to work a magic ring, chain, single crochet, double crochet, increase, decrease, and do simple sewing to make this project.
Designer: Stringy Dingy Ding
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Cute Little Harvest Moon Cow
This little cow takes about four hours to make. You could add a string to this cute little cow to turn him into an ornament, gift wrap accessory, or hang him on your rearview mirror! If you haven’t tried the cross stitch single crochet before, this pattern is a good opportunity to learn!
Designer: The Last Stitch on the Left
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta
Easiest Cow Amigurumi Pattern Ever - Mia Moo Moo
This super easy amigurumi cow pattern is the perfect choice for beginner crocheters. You’ll even find a video tutorial included in the pattern to walk you through the steps. Check out the pictures included in this pattern to see all the fun, cow-themed color combinations you could try!
Designer: A Crafty Concept
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: WeCrochet Brava Worsted
Woolly Bully Pattern
Affectionately called “woolly bullies”, this crocheted cow pattern is designed to represent Highland cows. This shaggy, orange breed is beautiful in real life and makes such a cute cow crochet project, too! After crocheting your cow, you’ll add the hairy fringe for a realistic look.
Designer: I Am Branching Out
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Stylecraft Special DK
Crochet Strawberry Cow
This chunky, pink and purple free cow crochet pattern would make a cute gift for a baby or a little girl. But, you could totally switch up the colors and make it little boy-themed, too! Made with soft, super bulky yarn, this cow is extra cuddly and sure to be treasured by any child.
Designer: Rose and Lily Amigurumi
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Hobbii Baby Snuggle
Amigurumi Cow
This sitting cow is the perfect little shelf decoration! Add him to your kitchen decor, living room, barn, or office space! This easy amigurumi pattern is made with chains, slip stitches, single crochets, and double crochets. It’s worked in both spiral rounds and rows.
Designer: Supergurumi
Yarn weight: Sport
Suggested yarn: Schachenmayr Catania
Cow Squish
This circular cow pillow is hard to resist squeezing! Made with super bulky yarn and fiberfill, this pattern is extra soft and loveable. Its finished size is approximately 10” across.
Designer: Moogly
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Bernat Blanket O'Go
Crochet Cow Pattern
For this friendly cow, you’ll make the legs, body, and head all in one piece. The finished size is about 13” inches tall - perfect for snuggling! To make this pattern, you’ll need to be comfortable with making a magic circle, single crochets, single crochet increase, invisible decrease, and double crochets.
Designer: Grace and Yarn
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta
Crochet Cow
This crochet cow measures about 11” tall and is suitable for advanced beginners. With her floppy arms and legs and long, dark eyelashes, you can’t help but love her! Her flat hooves are made by crocheting in the back loop only.
Designer: The Friendly Red Fox
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: I Love This Yarn
Red Heart Cow Slippers
Get cozy with these squishy, stuffed cow slippers! This pattern comes in one size that’s suitable for a medium adult foot. They’re fairly easy to make and so very comfy!
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Caroline the Cow
Caroline the Cow is an intermediate-level pattern that measures about 14” tall. She’s worked in a continuous spiral. This pattern contains detailed instructions for each part of the project, plus some helpful video tutorials along the way.
Designer: Jess Huff
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: I Love This Yarn
Crochet Cow Hat
This quick and easy hat is perfect for dressing up or for everyday wear! It’s made with chunky yarn and is worked in rounds from the top down. It’s available in five sizes, from newborn to adult.
Designer: Pretty Darn Adorable Crochet
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Brava Bulky
Crochet Cow Rattle
This adorable baby gift is quick to whip up and is an excellent use for some of your scrap yarn. It’s about 5” x 4.5” - ideal for little fingers to grip and shake. This ratte would make a treasured gift for any baby to enjoy!
Designer: Crochet 365 Knit Too
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: I Love This Yarn
Cuddle Me Cow
This bright and friendly cow is ready for warm weather! With her flowery crown, she looks like she just poked her head out of some springtime blossoms. This adorable, intermediate crochet pattern is worked in continuous rounds.
Designer: Amigurumi Today
Yarn weight: Sport
Suggested yarn: YarnArt Jeans
Little Cow
This free mini cow crochet pattern measures about 2.5” - 3.5” tall, depending on the yarn you choose. You can hold these tiny little creatures in your hand, and they’re perfect token gifts! You’ll need to know how to make a magic ring, single crochet, increase, decrease, work in the back loops only, and seam pieces together in order to make this pattern.
Designer: Lucy Rozonova
Yarn weight: Sport
Suggested yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Safran
Crochet Cow Potholder
This cheery potholder is perfect for farm-themed kitchens - or for anyone who loves cows! Its finished size is approximately 7.25” in diameter. Keep in mind that cotton yarn is the recommended option for kitchen items such as potholders because of its durability and washability.
Designer: Crochet for You
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: DROPS Paris
Crochet Highland Cow Pattern
This fluffy highland crochet cow measures about 7.5” tall. It’s made with separate pieces that are sewn together and is crocheted primarily in continuous spirals. This snuggly cow would make such a special gift!
Designer: My Crochet Chums
Yarn weight: Fingering
Suggested yarn: Scheepjes Catona
Crochet Squishy Cow
This extra loveable cow works up quickly and is made with bulky yarn. It’s created by making the main body piece and then sewing on the snout, spots, ears, and horns. This pattern includes a video tutorial.
Designer: Rose & Lily Amigurumi
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: James C Brett Flutterby Chunky
Amigurumi Cherry Blossom Cow Crochet Pattern
This pink crocheted cow is a fun celebration of cherry blossoms and spring! Its finished size is approximately 9”. There are so many ways to customize this adorable pattern!
Designer: Crafty Kitty Crochet
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Cleo the Crochet Cow
This crochet cow pattern is crocheted mostly in one piece and is a great choice for beginners. When finished, Cleo stands about 8” tall. Choose your favorite colors to customize her shirt!
Designer: Chai Coffee Crochet
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Stylecraft Special DK
Cow Plushie
This adorable, plush crochet cow pattern is worked in continuous rounds. It’s made with super bulky, chenille yarn which works up quickly and is so very cuddly! Check out all the fun color options pictured and get creative with your plushie!
Designer: Nawijki Crochet
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Himalaya Dolphin Baby
Crochet Cow Hat Pattern
Gear up for winter days with this fun and adorable crochet cow hat! It’s available in 7 different sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, toddler, child, and teen/adult. You could totally personalize this hat for a girl or a boy, or keep it neutral!
Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice
Strawberry Cow Crochet Pattern
Varying yarn weights allow you to make this cozy cow in a large or smaller size. DK yarn makes a small, pet-size cow, or you can use a super bulky yarn to make a cuddly, doorstop version. Use classic black and whites or choose any fun colors you like!
Designer: Red Ted Art
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Ricorumi Cotton DK
Story of Seasons Cow Plushie
This oversized cow plushie is a good pattern for intermediate crocheters. The finished cow measures approximately 11” x 6” x 18”. This project is made with jumbo yarn and is great for keeping on your bed, ready for lots of snuggles!
Designer: Summerbug Crafts
Yarn weight: Jumbo
Suggested yarn: Sweet Snuggles by Loops & Threads
Pillow Cow
Made with super bulky yarn, this toy pillow cow is so easy to love! This pattern is ideal for advanced beginners. It would make a perfect gift for your favorite cow lover!
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand I Wanna Make a Blankie
Supplies You’ll Need
Here are some supplies you might need to make your crochet cow:
- Crochet hook
- Yarn
- Polyfill
- Embroidery thread
- Other notions (tapestry needle, felt, stitch markers, scissors, etc.)
- Safety eyes (Please note that safety eyes are a choking hazard for children under 3. If you plan to give your crochet cow to a child, it’s best to replace the safety eyes with embroidered eyes.)
Keep in mind that each pattern is different, so you’ll want to check out the supplies list for your specific design before you start.
What is the best yarn for crochet cow patterns?
Both cotton and acrylic yarns are good choices for making amigurumi cows. Worsted weight yarn works well, but choosing a finer yarn (such as sport or DK) or thicker yarn (such as bulky or super bulky) is a simple way to adjust the size of your project.
- Cotton yarn is great for amigurumi because it has excellent stitch definition. It’s also durable and holds up well, which is especially important for children’s toys.
- Acrylic yarn is softer to work with, affordable, and offers many different color options.
- Bulky or super bulky blanket yarn creates an extra soft and cuddly project. But keep in mind that this fluffy yarn can be more challenging to work with, as it’s harder to keep track of your stitches.
You can find yarn for your project at your local craft store or on crochet.com, lionbrand.com, amazon.com, and more. Some of our favorite choices for amigurumi yarn include Lion Brand Feels Like Butta, Red Heart Super Saver, and Stylecraft Special DK.
Crochet Techniques for Crochet Cow Patterns
It’s always a good idea to read through your pattern before getting started to ensure you’re comfortable with all the techniques and stitches necessary. Here are some of the techniques and stitches you might need to know to make your crochet cow:
- Chain stitch
- Slip stitch
- Magic circle
- Single crochet
- Double crochet
- Half double crochet
- Increasing
- Decreasing
- Changing color
- Seaming pieces together
- Basic embroidery
Is a crochet cow plushie a good beginner project?
While a crochet cow might not be the first project we’d recommend for absolute beginners, it’s certainly doable for beginners who have some experience with basic crochet stitches and techniques, including making a magic circle, increasing, decreasing, and seaming.
Some of the best beginner patterns in this list include the Easiest Cow Amigurumi Pattern Ever – Mia Moo Moo (#3), Cleo the Crochet Cow (#20), and the Crochet Cow Hat (#12).
Tips and Tricks for Crochet Cow Patterns
Last but not least, let’s talk about some tips and tricks to help you along the way.
Choose the right pattern for your skill level.
Check the suggested skill level on your pattern and read through the instructions to ensure you’re comfortable with the required stitches. It’s no fun to be in the middle of a pattern and not know how to work the next step.
Follow these amigurumi tips.
If you’ve never tried amigurumi before, here are a few tips to help you out! Firstly, it’s a good idea to use a smaller hook size than usual when making amigurumi. This helps keep your stitches tight so that no fiberfill falls out.
In addition, avoid overstuffing your project (which leads to a stiff cow) or under-stuffing it (which leads to a floppy plushie). Stuff the toy as you go so you get just the right amount.
Take precautions to avoid frustrating mistakes.
We always recommend using stitch markers to help you keep track of your stitches and rounds.
And if you’re crocheting a wearable (or you want your finished cow to be a specific size), make a gauge swatch before getting started. This will tell you whether you need to use a larger or smaller hook size to achieve the correct finished size for your project.
Keep your project safe for kids.
If you plan to give your cow to a child under 3, trade out the safety eyes for embroidered eyes. If there are any other add-ons that could pose a choking hazard, either remove them or embroider them instead.
More Crochet Patterns
If you love to crochet, you may be interested in these related pattern collections.
- 17 Adorable (and Free!) Crochet Bunny Patterns
- 25 Easy Crochet Animal Patterns for Beginners
- 27 Free Crochet Dinosaur Patterns To Roar About
- 17 Free Crochet Octopus Patterns: Fun for All Ages
- 18 Free Crochet Cat Patterns: Find your Purr-fect Project
What’s Next?
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