Highland cows are everywhere right now, and it is easy to see why. That shaggy fringe, the little horns and the sleepy face make one of the cutest amigurumi animals you can crochet. If you love farmhouse decor, need a gift for a cow-obsessed friend or just want a fuzzy shelf buddy, a crochet highland cow is a fun project.
Below are 11 free patterns we opened and checked one by one. You will find a tiny palm-sized cow, a keychain, no-sew and low-sew options, fuzzy plush versions and a big 20-inch cuddle cow. Each one lists yarn, hook and skill level so you can choose fast.
Crochet Highland Cow Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Brown, caramel and cream worsted weight yarn
- Plush or chenille yarn for a fluffy cow
- Crochet hook set (2.5 mm to 6 mm)
- Safety eyes in mixed sizes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Locking stitch markers
- Keychain rings with jump rings
1. Mini Highland Cow
Photo: Natalina Craft
This is the tiniest cow on the list. In worsted yarn it is only about 1.5 inches tall, and in plush yarn it grows to about 2.5 inches. The body, ears, horns, legs, snout and hair are small separate pieces, so it is great practice for little details. The designer suggests it can double as a keychain, which makes it a sweet bag charm or stocking stuffer.
- Designer: Natalina Craft
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) or plush yarn in light brown, dark brown and cream
- Hook: 2.75 mm (C) for worsted, 4.5 mm (7) for plush
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Easy Highland Cow Key Chain
Photo: Yarn Creation Ideas
This fuzzy keychain cow has a cream face and a big mop of looped orange hair. It is about 3.5 inches wide and 5 inches tall, so it is a chunky keychain that really stands out on a backpack. The pattern uses basic stitches and is made for scrap yarn. The designer even made it as a fun “AI vs. me” challenge, so the post is a good read too.
- Designer: Yarn Creation Ideas
- Skill level: Easy (rated beginner to intermediate)
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) cream, plus brown, orange scrubby-style yarn and DK for the horns
- Hook: 3.5 mm, 4.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 2.0 mm (one for each part)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Hilde the Highland Cow
Photo: Katie / Yarn Society
Hilde is a little 5-inch cow with “luscious locks” and a story about moving from Scotland to the beach. She is worked in worsted yarn with a small hook, so the stitches stay tight and neat. The pattern is split into short sections (snout, horns and more), which makes it easy to follow step by step. A tiny bell is an optional extra.
- Designer: Katie / Yarn Society
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), WeCrochet Wool of the Andes
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E), plus 2.25 mm (B) for the bell
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Fuzzy Highland Cow
Photo: StringyDingDing
If you want a cow you can squish, this one is made with fluffy fur yarn. The head and body are one piece, and the arms, legs, horns, ears and tail are added after. Brown nostrils and a light brown nose finish the face, and you can add a bell. Fur yarn hides stitches, so it is forgiving if your rounds are not perfect.
- Designer: StringyDingDing
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Fable Fur (the designer notes it is super bulky #6) plus light brown and black yarn
- Hook: 5 mm and 4 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Hazel the Highland Cow
Photo: Nicole Chase
Hazel is a classic brown cow with a lighter muzzle, horns, a tail and a shaggy hair tuft. She is about 5 inches tall sitting or 7 inches standing. Most of the cow is worked in continuous rounds, and the hair and tail are worked in rows. It is a nice step up if you have made one or two simple amigurumi before.
- Designer: Nicole Chase
- Skill level: Easy (advanced beginner)
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), Brava Worsted
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Shaggy Crochet Highland Cow
Photo: Lucy Kate Crochet
This rust-colored cow gets its shaggy fringe from strands of yarn pulled through the fabric, just like a rug hook. It is mostly single crochet from magic circles, and videos help with the tricky steps. Chunky yarn makes it work up fast, and the designer says it sits about 10 inches tall. A great pick if you love the shaggy look but are still new to amigurumi.
- Designer: Lucy Kate Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Chunky (#5) for the body, worsted for the horns
- Hook: 5 mm (H) and 4 mm (F)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Low-Sew Highland Cow Plushie
Photo: Lisa Auch / LisaAuch Crochet
Hate sewing on limbs? This plushie joins the arms and legs as you go, so there is much less sewing at the end. In plushy yarn it grows to about 14 inches, and in DK yarn with a small hook it is about 6 inches. It is all single crochet with a cute hair fringe, pink nose and white horns.
- Designer: Lisa Auch / LisaAuch Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Plush yarn (2 x 100 g), or DK for a small version
- Hook: 6 mm (2.5 mm for the DK version)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. No-Sew Blob Highland Cow
Photo: Crochet by Madi (on Ribblr)
This round “blob” cow is made with no sewing at all. You shape the fringe with bobble stitches and change colors for the snout and feet as you go. It is quick, but you should be comfortable with color changes and bobbles first. The pattern lives on Ribblr, so you will need a free account to open it.
- Designer: Crochet by Madi (on Ribblr)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern (brown, white and gray)
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Fergus the Highland Cow
Photo: Yarnhild
Fergus is the big one. He is about 20 inches tall, with a shaggy coat, horns and a friendly face, so he is a real cuddle toy. The feet and body are made in one piece, and the head, horns, ears, arms and nose are sewn on. Everything is worked in continuous rounds. Plan for about 200 g of the main brown yarn.
- Designer: Yarnhild
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern (velvet, cotton or acrylic; about 200 g brown + 50 g beige)
- Hook: 4.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Holly the Highland Cow
Photo: Jess Huff
Holly stands 14 inches tall and has crocheted bangs, curved horns and a jointed head that turns and poses. She uses four shades of brown and cream for a realistic look. Photo and video tutorials walk you through the harder parts. Pick this one if you want a show-piece cow with real detail.
- Designer: Jess Huff
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) acrylic, about 261 yards
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Want a keychain or bag charm? Start with #2, or make the tiny #1 and add a ring.
- First amigurumi ever? Try #3 Hilde or #6, the shaggy cow with videos.
- Hate sewing? Go for #8 (no sew) or #7 (low sew).
- Want something soft and fuzzy? #4 in fur yarn is pure squish.
- Making a big gift? #9 Fergus (20 inches) or #10 Holly (14 inches) will steal the show.
FAQ
How do you make the shaggy hair on a crochet highland cow?
Most patterns use one of two tricks. You can cut short strands of yarn and pull them through the stitches like fringe, then brush or trim them. Or you can crochet loops or bobbles so the texture is built in. Brushing acrylic yarn with a pet brush gives an extra fluffy look.
What yarn is best for a crochet highland cow?
Worsted acrylic in brown, rust or caramel is the easiest choice and holds its shape well. For a softer, cuddly cow, use plush, chenille or fur yarn. Just remember that fuzzy yarn hides stitches, so count carefully and use a stitch marker at the start of each round.
Can I make a highland cow keychain from any pattern?
Yes, in most cases. Use thinner yarn and a smaller hook to shrink the cow, then sew a keychain ring or jump ring firmly to the top of the head. For a keychain that will get bumped around, embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes.
Grab some brown yarn and make the highland cow that makes you smile the most.