Discover how to stitch your very own adorable pair of plush cows with this beginner-friendly Free Amigurumi Cow & Bull Crochet Pattern guide! Whether you are making a sweet nursery gift, a plushie companion, or selling at craft fairs, this step-by-step tutorial covers everything from snout shaping to flawless seamless assembly.
What Is The Amigurumi Cow & Bull Project?
The Amigurumi Cow is a handcrafted stuffed animal crocheted using single crochet stitches in continuous spirals. Featuring cute floppy ears, tiny horns, a contrasting pink snout, and a chubby body, this project is ideal for crocheters of all skill levels looking for a quick and rewarding plushie build.
Quick Project Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Skill Level | Easy / Beginner-Friendly |
| Terminology | US Crochet Terms |
| Estimated Time | 3 – 4 Hours |
| Recommended Hook | 3.5 mm (US E-4) for Worsted or 4.5 mm (US 7) for Chenille Yarn |
| Yarn Weight | Worsted Weight (#4) or Chunky Plush Velvet (#5) |
| Finished Size | Approx. 7–9 inches (18–23 cm) tall |
Materials & Tools Needed
- Main Body Yarn: 80g White or Cream yarn (for the body & head).
- Snout & Ear Accent Yarn: 25g Soft Pink yarn.
- Horn & Hoof Yarn: 30g Dark Brown or Beige yarn.
- Crochet Hook: 3.5 mm ergonomic hook to ensure tight stitches without stuffing gaps.
- Safety Eyes: 1 pair of 10mm black safety eyes.
- Stuffing: High-grade hypoallergenic Polyfill fiberfill.
- Notions: Tapestry needle, locking stitch markers, and sharp scissors.
Crochet Abbreviations Table (US Terms)
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name | Description / Execution |
|---|---|---|
| MR | Magic Ring | Adjustable foundation loop to eliminate center holes |
| ch | Chain | Yarn over, pull through loop |
| sc | Single Crochet | Insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops |
| inc | Increase | Work 2 single crochet stitches in the exact same stitch |
| dec | Invisible Decrease | Insert hook into front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through 2 loops |
| sl st | Slip Stitch | Join rounds smoothly |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) | Total count of active stitches in round |
Step-by-Step Round-by-Round Pattern
1. Pink Snout
Using Pink Yarn:
- Ch 5: Starting in 2nd ch from hook: 3 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Turn to work along bottom of chain: 2 sc, inc in last ch (10 sts).
- Round 2: inc, 2 sc, 3 inc, 2 sc, 2 inc (16 sts).
- Round 3: 1 sc in each st around (16 sts). Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing to head.
2. Cow Head
Using White/Cream Yarn:
- Round 1: 6 sc in MR (6 sts).
- Round 2: 6 inc (12 sts).
- Round 3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18 sts).
- Round 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24 sts).
- Round 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30 sts).
- Rounds 6–11: 1 sc in each st around (30 sts per round).
- Placement: Insert 10mm safety eyes between Rounds 8 & 9, spaced 7 stitches apart. Sew snout between Rounds 7–10 directly centered below eyes.
- Round 12: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24 sts). Stuff head firmly.
- Round 13: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18 sts). Fasten off.
3. Ears (Make 2) & Horns (Make 2)
Ears (Pink & White): 6 sc in MR (6). [1 sc, inc] x 3 (9). Work 1 sc in each st for 2 rounds (9). Pinch flat and fasten off.
Horns (Brown): 4 sc in MR (4). [1 sc, inc] x 2 (6). Work 1 sc in each st for 2 rounds (6). Fasten off.
4. Legs & Body (Joined)
Start with Brown for Hooves:
- Leg 1: 6 sc in MR (6). 6 inc (12). Work 1 sc in each st for 3 rounds. Change to White yarn, work 2 rounds. Fasten off.
- Leg 2: Repeat Leg 1, but DO NOT cut yarn. Ch 2, join to Leg 1 with sc.
- Body Round 1: Work 12 sc around Leg 1, 2 sc in chain, 12 sc around Leg 2, 2 sc in opposite side of chain (28 sts).
- Rounds 2–6: 1 sc in each st around (28 sts). Stuff legs and body.
- Round 7: [5 sc, dec] x 4 (24 sts).
- Round 8: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18 sts). Fasten off leaving a 10-inch tail to sew body to head.
Assembly & Finishing Touches
- Sew the head securely onto the body using the open 18-stitch neck opening.
- Attach horns onto top of head between Rounds 3 & 5.
- Sew ears slightly below the horns on either side of the head.
- Stitch 2 small vertical lines on the pink snout with brown thread for nostrils.
- Attach arms onto sides of body at Round 7.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best yarn for amigurumi plushies?
Super bulky chenille or velvet yarn (like Premier Parfait Chunky or Bernat Baby Blanket) produces the softest, extra-cuddly cow plushies. For detailed small cows, 100% DK cotton yarn works best.
How do I prevent Polyfill stuffing from showing through stitches?
Use a smaller crochet hook size (e.g. 3.0mm–3.5mm) than recommended on the yarn label to create tight, seamless stitches.
