Intro
Make a pastel, handmade-look cow plush with a biscuit-print dress, short pink cardigan, blue Mary Jane shoes, and one tiny pink handbag. Natural stitch definition, soft shaping, and tidy seams keep it photo-ready.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

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Materials

• Yarn (DK / light-worsted, smooth, non-fuzzy for crisp stitches)
  1. MC Cream (body & dress base): 120 g
  2. CC1 Petal Pink (muzzle, cardigan, handbag): 60 g
  3. CC2 Butter Yellow (biscuit appliqués & buttons): 35 g
  4. CC3 Mint/Ice Blue (shoes): 40 g
  5. CC4 Warm Beige (biscuit shading & dress dots): 15 g
  6. CC5 Soft Blush (small dots on dress): scrap
• Needles
  1. US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or 32″ circular for magic loop (toy parts)
  2. US 4 (3.5 mm) straight or circular (garments & appliqués)
• Notions
  1. Toy stuffing (polyfill), tapestry needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn
  2. 8 mm black safety eyes (2) or embroider
  3. Cardboard insole pieces (optional)
  4. Buttons: 2 tiny (cardigan), 2 tiny (shoe straps), 1 tiny fake “coin” for handbag flap
  5. Fabric glue (optional for biscuit dots), pins, blocking mats & steamer

Finished size
Sitting height ~11.5 in (29 cm). Proportions match the sample photo: round head, gentle muzzle, tall ears, petite horn nubs, barrel torso, short limbs, and full skirt.

Gauge
24–26 sts × 34–36 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette on US 3, knit firmly. For toys, tighter is better to prevent stuffing peek-through. Match your own firm gauge consistently across parts.

Abbreviations (US)

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd(s) = round(s)
• rep = repeat
• inc = kfb (knit front and back)
• dec = k2tog (knit 2 together)
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• m1L / m1R = lifted increases (make 1 left / make 1 right)
• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• tbl = through back loop
• RS / WS = right side / wrong side

Color Key
Body MC; Muzzle & blush CC1; Dress base MC with CC4/CC5 dots & CC2 bunting; Cardigan CC1; Shoes CC3 with CC2 buttons; Biscuit appliqués CC2 with CC4 accents; Handbag CC1 with CC2 patch.

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Construction Overview

The toy is knit mostly in the round from the top down. Head → neck → torso; limbs and ears are separate and sewn on. The dress is a removable one-piece with a scallop/bunting hem and dotted skirt; biscuit appliqués are knit separately and stitched to the skirt. A Peter Pan collar is worked flat and attached to the dress. The pink cardigan has short sleeves and a cropped length. Shoes are separate with tiny buttons. A single pink handbag hangs from the left hand.

Work parts in the order listed; lightly stuff as you knit to keep the silhouette even.

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Head (top-down, MC; US 3)

CO 8 sts, distribute over DPNs, join to work in rnds.
Rnd 1: kfb around — 16 sts.
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: k1, kfb around — 24.
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: k2, kfb around — 32.
Rnd 6: k.
Rnd 7: k3, kfb around — 40.
Rnd 8: k.
Rnd 9: k4, kfb around — 48.
Rnd 10: k.
Rnd 11: k5, kfb around — 56.
Rnd 12–22: k 11 rnds even (forms a softly elongated crown).

Place safety eyes 10 sts apart, centered horizontally, between Rnds 17–18. Do not insert washers yet if you prefer to embroider; test placement first.

Rnd 23: k5, k2tog around — 48.
Rnd 24: k.
Rnd 25: k4, k2tog around — 40.
Rnd 26: k.
Rnd 27: k3, k2tog around — 32. Stuff the upper head firmly.
Rnd 28: k2, k2tog around — 24.
Rnd 29: k.
Leave on hold to attach muzzle later; continue to Neck without breaking yarn.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Neck & Torso (MC)

Neck shaping:
Rnd 30: k2, k2tog around — 18.
Rnd 31–33: k 3 rnds even (snug neck cylinder).
Rnd 34: k2, m1L around — 27.
Rnd 35: k3, m1L around — 36.
Rnd 36: k4, m1L around — 45.
Rnd 37–44: k 8 rnds for upper torso.

Waist gentle flare:
Rnd 45: k8, m1L around — 50.
Rnd 46–50: k 5 rnds.
Rnd 51: k3, k2tog around — 40 (rounder lower belly).
Rnd 52: k.
Rnd 53: k2, k2tog around — 30.
Rnd 54: k1, k2tog around — 20. Stuff firmly, shape a soft barrel.
Rnd 55: k2tog around — 10.
Rnd 56: k2tog around — 5. Cut yarn, draw through rem sts, cinch closed.

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Muzzle (CC1; worked in the round then sewn)

CO 6.
Rnd 1: kfb around — 12.
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: k1, kfb around — 18.
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: k2, kfb around — 24.
Rnd 6–9: k 4 rnds.
Rnd 10: k2, k2tog around — 18.
Stuff lightly; keep top edge oval.
Rnd 11: BO loosely.

Position the muzzle centered under the eyes, lower edge about Rnd 25 of the head. Sew in place with mattress stitch. Embroider a gentle smile curve and two vertical nostrils in warm brown or CC4; add faint blush dots at the sides with CC1 duplicate stitch.

Snap eye washers inside the head now and add more stuffing around the sockets.

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Ears (make 2; MC; worked flat for natural curl)

CO 10.
Row 1 (WS): p.
Row 2: kfb, k8, kfb — 12.
Row 3: p.
Row 4: kfb, k10, kfb — 14.
Row 5–10: work 6 rows in st st.
Row 11: k2tog, k10, ssk — 12.
Row 12: p.
Row 13: k2tog, k8, ssk — 10.
Row 14: p.
Row 15: k2tog, k6, ssk — 8.
BO, leaving a tail. Fold base slightly; sew to head with a soft backward tilt so ears “cup” forward.

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Horn Nubs (make 2; MC slightly darker or CC4; worked in the round)

CO 4, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around — 8.
Rnd 2–4: k 3 rnds.
Rnd 5: k2tog around — 4. Stuff tip with a wisp; fasten off.
Sew horns just in front of the ears, small and upright.

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Arms (make 2; MC; in the round)

CO 8.
Rnd 1: kfb around — 16.
Rnd 2–6: k 5 rnds.
Rnd 7: k2, k2tog around — 12.
Rnd 8–18: k 11 rnds even (slim tube).
Stuff lightly from palm to mid-arm.
Rnd 19: k2tog around — 6. Cut yarn, draw through. Leave upper ½ unstuffed to drape naturally.

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Legs (make 2; MC; in the round)

CO 10.
Rnd 1: kfb around — 20.
Rnd 2–4: k.
Rnd 5: k3, k2tog around — 16.
Rnd 6–22: k 17 rnds for tapered calf.
Stuff firmly.
Rnd 23: k2tog around — 8. Close and fasten off.

Sew arms and legs to torso: legs centered under body; arms high at shoulder line so hands hang by the skirt.

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Tail (optional, MC)

CO 12 sts i-cord.
Work 10 rows of i-cord; BO. Add a tiny CC1 tassel. Sew to low back.

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Dress: Bodice & Skirt (MC with accents; US 4)

Bodice (worked flat; back opening)
CO 52.
Rows 1–4: k1, k1, p1 rib to last st, k1.
Rows 5–14: st st, keeping 3-st garter edges each side (k all RS & WS on edges).
Row 15 (RS): k3, k10, BO 6 (armhole), k14, BO 6, k to end — 40 live sts split for fronts/back.

Left Front (10 sts):
Rows 16–22: st st with garter edge; at Row 20 work a buttonhole (yo, k2tog) 2 sts in from edge.
Row 23: BO.

Back (20 sts):
Rejoin yarn; Rows 16–22: st st; Row 23: BO.

Right Front (10 sts):
Rows 16–22: as Left Front but no buttonhole.
Row 23: BO.

Sew shoulder seams 2 sts per side. Leave back open.

Skirt (picked up in the round from bodice)
With RS facing, pick up and knit 80 sts evenly along bodice lower edge; join in the round; pm.

Rnd 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: k9, m1L around — 88.
Rnd 5–7: k.
Rnd 8: k10, m1L around — 96.
Rnd 9–15: k.
Rnd 16 (Dots set-up): work random polka dots by duplicate stitching later in CC4/CC5, or knit them now with simple 1-st blips: k11, with CC4 k1, return to MC, rep around.

Rnd 17–24: k, spacing 1–st blips every 10–12 sts (do not carry CCs far; twist neatly).
Rnd 25 Hem Bunting (CC2 triangles; worked as surface appliqué after knitting): knit rnd plain in MC.

Rnd 26: k.
Rnd 27: BO loosely.

Bunting & Scallop Hem (CC2 + CC1 trim)
Crochet or knit tiny triangles (about 6–7 across front):

• CO 5 (CC2), k1 row;
• Next row k1, ssk, k to end;
• Next row k;
• Rep two rows until 1 st remains; fasten off.
  Whipstitch triangles tip-down along hem line.
  Optional pink picot: crochet [sc, ch2, sc] between triangles with CC1 for the scalloped look.

Polka Dots
Duplicate stitch scattered dots in CC4 and small blush dots in CC5, matching the photo balance (avoid symmetry).

Closure
Sew 2 snaps at back opening. Dress slips over body; bodice fits snug at high waist.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Peter Pan Collar (MC; US 4)

CO 9.
Row 1: k.
Row 2: p.
Row 3 (start first leaf): kfb, k to last 2, ssk — shaping begins.
Row 4: p.
Row 5: kfb, k to last 2, ssk.
Row 6: p.
Row 7: k1, k2tog, k to last 3, ssk, k1.
Row 8: p.
Row 9: BO 4, k to end.
Cut yarn. Make a mirror piece for the other side.

Block both gently. Overlap at center front to create the rounded collar shape and stitch around the neckline of the bodice. Hide ends neatly.

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Cardigan (CC1; cropped; US 4)

Worked top-down raglan for clean edges.

CO 46.
Row 1 (RS): k across.
Row 2 (WS): k3 (edge), p to last 3, k3.
Row 3: k3, k5, pm, k5, pm, k20 (back), pm, k5, pm, k5, k3.
Row 4: k3, p to last 3, k3.
Row 5 (Raglan inc): k3, [k to m, m1R, sm, k1, m1L] four times, k to last 3, k3.
Rows 6–10: Work Row 4 then Row 5 twice more (adds gentle slope).
Row 11 (Divide for sleeves): k to first m, remove m; place 12 sleeve sts on holder; CO 2 underarm; knit across back; place 12 sleeve sts on holder; CO 2; knit to end.
Row 12: k3, p to last 3, k3.
Rows 13–18: st st with garter edges.
Row 19: BO all sts loosely.

Sleeves (pick up from holders; knit in the round)
Pick up 12 sleeve sts + 2 underarm; join — 14 sts.
Rnd 1–10: k.
Rnd 11: p 1 rnd for subtle cuff ridge.
Rnd 12: BO loosely.

Sew two tiny buttons on right front to align with the dress bodice line; leave cardigan open or add button loops (yo-chain) if you prefer.

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Shoes – Mary Janes (make 2; CC3; US 3)

Soles (make 2)
CO 6.
Row 1: k.
Row 2: kfb, k4, kfb — 8.
Row 3: k.
Row 4: kfb, k6, kfb — 10.
Row 5: k.
Row 6: kfb, k8, kfb — 12.
Row 7: BO.
Cut a matching thin cardboard insole (optional) and sandwich inside during finishing.

Uppers (in the round)
Pick up 36 sts evenly around the sole edge.
Rnd 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: k7, k2tog around — 32.
Rnd 5: k.
Rnd 6: knit 12, BO 4 (instep opening), knit 16 — 28 live sts divided.
Work back and forth in rows for 6 rows to form the throat.
Strap: at lateral side, CO 12, work 3 rows garter, BO.
Rejoin at medial side and add a small button tab (5 sts wide × 6 rows), BO.
Sew a tiny CC2 “coin” button to fasten strap. Make the second shoe mirrored.

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Pink Handbag (CC1; US 4)

Body
CO 16.
Rows 1–14: st st with 2-st garter edges.
Row 15: BO.

Fold to form a small square pouch; mattress-stitch sides.

Flap
Pick up 12 sts along back top;
Row 1: k.
Row 2: p.
Row 3: k2tog, k8, ssk — 10.
Row 4: p.
Row 5: k2tog, k6, ssk — 8.
Row 6: p.
Row 7: BO.
Sew on one tiny CC2 “biscuit patch” (a 6-st square worked in garter for 6 rows). Add a button or a snap under the flap.
Handle: i-cord CO 3, knit for 6″ (15 cm), attach to sides.

Hang the handbag from the left hand with a few securing stitches so it sits naturally.

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Biscuit Appliqués (CC2 with CC4 accents; US 4)

Work a mix of rectangles, squares, and round jam-dot cookies to scatter across the skirt front. Make 6–8 pieces total for lively variety.

Rectangle
CO 8. Work 10 rows in seed st (k1, p1; next row start with p1). BO. Add tiny CC4 “pierced dots” by French knots or duplicate stitch.

Square
CO 7. Work 8 rows garter. BO. Add a CC4 border with surface backstitch.

Round Jam Dot
CO 4, join; kfb around — 8. Next rnd k. Next rnd k1, kfb — 12. BO. Add a tiny CC5 duplicate stitch “jam” circle off-center.

Pin appliqués to the skirt and sew with invisible whipstitch. Keep spacing irregular like the sample.

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Finishing & Assembly

1. Attach head to neck if you worked separately; in this pattern it’s continuous. Check that the face points slightly down to meet the viewer’s eye line.
2. Sew ears and horn nubs as placed earlier. Take a minute to mirror ear tilt for the friendly expression.
3. Attach arms high and slightly forward; tack the left hand to hold the pink handbag so it rests against the skirt.
4. Dress the cow. Close the back snaps.
5. Put on cardigan. Align hem to sit just above the high waist.
6. Shoes. Slip on, fasten straps with buttons. If the cow will stand for photos, slide thin cardboard insoles inside and add a coin of craft clay under the foot for weight.
7. Tidy ends. Steam lightly from a distance to settle stitches. Avoid flattening the 3D texture on the biscuits.

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Embroidery & Face Details

• Eyes sit level with the top edge of the muzzle, about 10 sts apart. If you embroider: satin stitch small ovals in black, then add a single white speck for catchlight.
• Brows are two faint slanted dashes one row above the eyes.
• Smile is a gentle curve one stitch below the muzzle center, worked in CC4 with backstitch.
• Nostrils are two short vertical columns in CC4, spaced evenly.

Keep everything soft and minimal to preserve the plush, friendly look.

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Blocking & Photo Tips

Steam-block garments flat before dressing. The hem triangles and collar edges should be crisp, while the cardigan remains slightly puffy. For photos, sit the cow at the edge of a wooden table near a window. Use diffuse daylight for the natural, pastel look that shows off the stitch texture.

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Customization Notes

• Swap CC3 for a pale sage or powder blue if you want the shoes to read cooler or warmer in your lighting.
• If you prefer a removable muzzle, pick up stitches around the face oval and knit outward in CC1, then seam at the sides only—this deepens the smile line.
• The skirt dots can be entirely duplicate stitch if you dislike color carries.