Meet Starry Rodeo Cow – a cream amigurumi cow in a blue pinafore “denim” dress, red plaid shirt sleeves, cowboy hat, brown Mary Jane shoes with star patches, a little milk-carton crossbody bag, and a crochet lasso in her hoof.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR – magic ring
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec – invisible decrease (sc 2 sts together)
- BLO – back loop only
- FLO – front loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- R – round/row
All parts are worked in continuous rounds unless noted. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
Materials
- DK / light worsted weight yarn in:
- Cream (main cow body)
- Light beige (snout, horns)
- Brown (hooves, inner ears, hat band if desired)
- Blue (pinafore dress and bag trim)
- Red (shirt sleeves, shoe stars)
- Soft off-white (shirt sleeve contrast, milk carton body)
- Yellow (star appliqués)
- 2.25–2.5 mm hook (or size for firm fabric)
- 8 mm black safety eyes
- Stuffing (polyester fiberfill)
- Tapestry needle for sewing and embroidery
- Stitch markers, pins, scissors
Gauge & Finished Size
Gauge is not critical; just keep stitches tight so stuffing doesn’t show.
With DK yarn and a 2.5 mm hook, the finished cow stands about 20–22 cm (8–9″) tall to the top of the hat.
Construction Overview
You will make:
- Cow body – legs, body, and head as one piece, plus arms, ears, horns, snout, and tail.
- Clothing – separate blue pinafore dress, cowboy hat, and Mary Jane shoes with star patches.
- Accessories – milk carton crossbody bag and lasso rope.
The dress, hat, shoes, and bag are removable unless you choose to stitch them in place.
Cow – Legs, Body & Head
Legs (make 2 – brown & cream)
Start with brown for hooves.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
R4–5: sc around (18) – hoof shape
R6: (4 sc, dec) around (15)
R7: (3 sc, dec) around (12)
Change to cream for legs.
R8–16: sc around (12) – long legs
Stuff legs firmly. Fasten off first leg only.
Work the second leg the same, but do not fasten off; we’ll join for the body.
Join Legs & Body (cream)
R1 (joining): From the second leg, ch 3, attach to first leg with a sc, sc in remaining 11 sts of first leg, sc in each of 3 ch, sc around 12 sts of second leg (30). Adjust if needed; you should have a smooth oval between the legs.
R2: sc around (30)
R3: (4 sc, inc) around (36)
R4–7: sc around (36) – tummy
R8: (4 sc, dec) around (30)
R9: (3 sc, dec) around (24)
R10: (2 sc, dec) around (18) – neck
Stuff the body firmly as you go, emphasizing a soft round belly.
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Head (cream)
R11: (sc, inc) around (27)
R12: (2 sc, inc) around (36)
R13: (5 sc, inc) around (42)
R14–18: sc around (42)
Place safety eyes between R16 and R17, about 7 sts apart. Leave space for the snout centered between them.
R19: (5 sc, dec) around (36)
R20: (4 sc, dec) around (30)
R21: (3 sc, dec) around (24)
R22: (2 sc, dec) around (18)
R23: (sc, dec) around (12)
R24: dec around (6)
Fasten off, close the hole neatly, and weave in end. Finish stuffing the head firmly for a smooth round shape.
Arms (make 2 – brown, white, red)
Start with brown for hoof:
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: (sc, inc) around (9)
R3–4: sc around (9)
Change to cream (cuff).
R5: (sc, dec) around (6)
R6–7: sc around (6)
Change to red for shirt sleeve.
R8–14: sc around (6)
Stuff the hand and lower arm lightly. Flatten the open end and sc across 3 sts to close. Leave a long tail for sewing.
If you want a plaid effect, weave a few thin horizontal and vertical stitches with off-white yarn over the red sleeve after assembly.
Snout (light beige)
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
R4–5: sc around (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff lightly to keep it softly rounded.
Place centered below the eyes, with the top edge between R16 and R17 of the head. Sew in place, shaping it slightly oval. Embroider two small nostrils and a short vertical line between them using beige or a slightly darker shade. Add soft blush on cheeks later if desired.
Ears (make 2 – cream & brown)
Inner ear (brown):
R1: 5 sc in MR (5)
R2: (sc, inc) around (8)
R3: (2 sc, inc) around (10)
Fasten off.
Outer ear (cream):
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: (sc, inc) around (9)
R3: (2 sc, inc) around (12)
R4: (3 sc, inc) around (15)
Do not fasten off. Place the brown inner ear inside the cream piece, WS together, and crochet them together:
R5: working through both layers, sc around (15).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Fold the base of the ear slightly and stitch the fold so the ear curves forward, just like in the photo. Sew ears to the sides of the head, a bit lower than the crown, matching the hat opening.
Horns (make 2 – light beige)
R1: 4 sc in MR (4)
R2: sc around (4)
R3: (sc, inc) twice (6)
R4–6: sc around (6)
Fasten off, stuff lightly, and sew between the ears near the top of the head, angled slightly outward.
Tail (cream & brown)
R1: With cream, 5 sc in MR (5)
R2–4: sc around (5)
Change to brown:
R5: (sc, inc) around (8)
R6–7: sc around (8)
Fasten off. Lightly stuff and sew to the lower back, letting the brown tuft sit at the tip.
Pinafore Dress – Blue “Denim”
Use blue yarn.
Skirt & Bodice
R1: Ch 40, join with sl st (waist) (40)
R2: ch 1, sc around, join (40)
R3: ch 1, (4 sc, inc) around (48)
R4: ch 1, (5 sc, inc) around (56)
R5–9: ch 1, sc around, join (56) – flared skirt
R10 (BLO): ch 1, sc around, join (56) – creates a slight hem line. Fasten off the blue yarn here if you want to add decorative stitching later; otherwise weave in.
Turn the dress upside down and work from the inside of the waistband to build the bodice.
Attach blue yarn to any unworked front loop of R2 at the waist.
Row 1: ch 1, sc in next 18 sts (front panel), turn (18)
Row 2–4: ch 1, sc across, turn (18)
Row 5: ch 1, dec, sc 14, dec, turn (16)
Row 6–7: ch 1, sc across, turn (16)
This forms the front bodice under the bib. Do not fasten off.
Bib & Front Pocket Flap
Row 8 (bib): ch 1, sc 10 across center sts, leaving 3 sts unworked at each side (10). Turn.
Row 9–11: ch 1, sc across (10).
Fasten off and weave in end.
Pocket flap:
Ch 9.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (8). Turn.
Row 2: ch 1, sc across (8).
Row 3: ch 1, dec, 4 sc, dec (6).
Fasten off. Sew the flat top of the flap just under the middle of the bib, leaving the bottom edge slightly free for a 3D look.
Straps
Make 2.
Ch 23.
Row: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (22). Fasten off.
Sew one end of each strap to the back waistband, spaced slightly wider than the shoulders. Cross them in the back and attach the other ends to the top corners of the bib. Optionally embroider a tiny “button” dot on the front where the straps meet.
Star Patch on Skirt
Use yellow.
R1: 5 sc in MR (5), sl st to first st.
R2: (ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, skip 1 st on circle, sl st in next st) repeat 5 times to form 5 points.
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Sew the star on the lower right front of the skirt.
Mary Jane Shoes – Brown with Stars (make 2)
Use brown.
R1: Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch; work on opposite side of chain, 4 sc, 2 sc in last ch (13).
R2: inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc (20).
R3: sc around (20).
R4 (BLO): sc around (20) – defines the sole edge.
R5: sc around (20).
R6: sc 7, (dec) 3 times, sc to end (17).
R7: sc 5, (dec) 2 times, sc to end (15).
Try the shoe on the cow’s foot; adjust decreases if needed to snugly hug the foot.
R8: sc around (15), sl st to join.
Strap: join brown at one side, ch 10, sl st to opposite side, fasten off and weave in.
Make two small yellow stars using the same method as the skirt star but working R1 with 5 sc and small points. Sew one on each shoe front.
Cowboy Hat
Use light beige for the hat, with brown band.
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) around (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) around (30)
R6–8: sc around (30) – sides of the crown
To shape the top slightly inwards:
R9: (3 sc, dec) around (24)
R10: sc around (24)
Hat band: switch to brown.
R11: sc around (24)
Switch back to beige for brim:
R12 (FLO): (3 sc, inc) around (30)
R13: (4 sc, inc) around (36)
R14: (5 sc, inc) around (42)
R15: sc around (42)
Fasten off and weave in ends. With your fingers, pinch the front and back of the crown slightly to create the classic cowboy hat dent.
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Milk Carton Crossbody Bag
Use off-white and blue.
Carton Body (off-white)
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
Now work in rows to create a rectangle:
Row 4: ch 1, sc 18, turn (18)
Row 5–8: ch 1, sc across, turn (18)
Fold the rectangle into a tube and sew the short edges together to form a ring.
Top section:
R9: sc around the top edge of the ring (18)
R10: (4 sc, dec) around (15)
R11: sc around (15)
Close the top by sewing across with a slight diagonal fold to mimic the milk carton spout.
Blue Trim & Strap
Attach blue at the bottom edge of the body and work 1 round of sc around (18) for the bottom border.
Strap: ch 70 (or length you like for a crossbody strap), fasten off. Sew each end of the strap to opposite upper sides of the carton.
Using blue yarn, embroider the word “MILK” vertically or horizontally on the front of the carton.
Lasso Rope
Use tan or brown.
Ch about 80–90 (depending on how long you want the lasso). Sl st back along the chain to the start.
Form a loop at one end and secure it with a few stitches to create the lasso shape. Stitch the other end to the cow’s hand so it hangs naturally.
Assembly
- Attach Arms
Sew arms to the body just below the neck, slightly angled forward. Check that one hand can comfortably hold the lasso and the other side is free for the bag strap to cross the chest. - Attach Snout, Ears, Horns & Tail
If not already done, sew on the snout, ears, horns, and tail as described in their sections. Add any blush or embroidery now. - Dress & Shoes
Slip the blue pinafore on from the feet upward. The waistband should sit at the narrowest part of the body.
Put on the shoes, making sure the star patches face forward. - Hat & Accessories
Place the cowboy hat on the head, between the ears and horns. You may secure it with a few stitches if the doll is for display or small children.
Drape the milk carton strap across the body from one shoulder to the opposite hip. Stitch at a few points if you want it to stay in place.
Position the lasso loop in one hoof and sew it down in a couple of spots so it doesn’t slip out.
Your Starry Rodeo Cow is complete – a little western cow in her blue pinafore, cowboy hat, milk-carton bag, and lasso, ready to ride into your handmade collection or become a special gift.
