Ho, ho, ho! The holiday season is bustling at the North Pole, and Santa has a new recruit in his workshop. Meet “The Santa’s Little Helper Cow,” a festive and energetic friend ready to make sure every toy is wrapped and every stocking is filled. This unique amigurumi design moves away from the traditional reindeer and brings a farmyard twist to Christmas magic.

This adorable cow features a rich chocolate brown coat with charming white patches on her legs and a sweet white muzzle. She is dressed in a modern “Scandi-style” holiday outfit that is both trendy and timeless. Her wardrobe includes a Mint Green pinafore dress that pops beautifully against the traditional Christmas colors. Underneath, she wears a cozy red and white striped shirt, mimicking a delicious candy cane. To fully embrace her role as an elf, she wears a long, pointy elf hat with festive stripes and a jingle bell at the tip, along with curled-toe green shoes. She carries a heavy brown sack overflowing with toys for good girls and boys, holds the all-important “Naughty or Nice” list, and is accompanied by a tiny, red-nosed reindeer plushie. This pattern is perfect for intermediate crocheters who love colorwork and whimsical holiday decor.

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
• sc – Single Crochet
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• dc – Double Crochet
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• inc – Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec – Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• st(s) – Stitch(es)
• rnd – Round
• row – Row
• BLO – Back Loop Only
• FLO – Front Loop Only
• FO – Fasten Off
• Color Change – Switch yarn color at the last pull-through of the previous stitch.

Materials Needed

• DK or Sport weight yarn in Chocolate Brown (Head, Hooves, Spots)
• DK weight yarn in White (Muzzle, Legs, Stripes, Hat)
• DK weight yarn in Mint Green (Pinafore Dress)
• DK weight yarn in Bright Red (Stripes, Hat)
• DK weight yarn in Emerald Green (Shoes, Hat brim)
• DK weight yarn in Beige/Tan (Scroll, Horns)
• DK weight yarn in Dark Brown (Sack)
• Small amount of Gold/Yellow (Bells)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• 2 small wooden buttons (for the dress straps)
• 2 small gold bells (for hat and shoes)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• Cardboard or plastic canvas (for shoe soles)

Gauge & Finished Size

Work tightly in continuous spiral rounds for the cow body so the stuffing does not show. Using DK yarn and a 2.5mm hook, the finished cow stands approximately 28–30 cm (11–12 inches) tall (excluding the hat). The clothing is designed to be removable, adding an element of interactive play.

Construction Overview

The cow is constructed in pieces. The head is brown with a sewn-on white muzzle. The legs feature colorwork to create the “spotted” cow look (white base with brown blotches). The arms are crocheted with red and white stripes to simulate the undershirt sleeves. The dress is a separate piece worn over the body. The elf accessories (hat, shoes) are shaped to have characteristic points and curls. The sack and reindeer are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts

Head

Use Chocolate Brown yarn and 2.5mm hook.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 10–21: sc around (54) (12 rounds).
• Rnd 22: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 23: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 24: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 16 and 17, spaced about 10 stitches apart.

• Rnd 25: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 26: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 27: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Muzzle

Use White yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 6. Start 2nd ch from hook: inc, sc 3, 4 sc in last ch. Turn: sc 3, inc (14).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 5, 2 inc, sc 5, inc (18).
• Rnd 3: sc, inc, sc 5, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 5, inc, sc (22).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (22).

FO. Sew to the face below the eyes. Stuff lightly. Embroider two brown nostrils.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Chocolate Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) around (9)
• Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) around (12)
• Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) around (15)
• Rnd 5–8: sc around (15)
• Rnd 9: (3 sc, dec) around (12)

Flatten and sew to the sides of the head. Add small beige horns just above the ears (MR 4, inc to 6, sc 2 rounds).

Spotted Legs (Make 2)

This part uses colorwork. Main Color (MC): White, Contrast Color (CC): Brown.

• Start with Brown (Hoof).
• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (18).
• Change to White.
• Rnd 7: (BLO) sc around (18).
• Rnd 8–9: sc around (18).
• Rnd 10: sc 12 White, sc 3 Brown, sc 3 White. (Start creating random spots).
• Rnd 11: sc 11 White, sc 5 Brown, sc 2 White.
• Rnd 12: sc 12 White, sc 3 Brown, sc 3 White.
• Rnd 13–15: sc around in White.
• Rnd 16: sc 4 Brown, sc 14 White.
• Rnd 17: sc 6 Brown, sc 12 White.
• Rnd 18: sc 4 Brown, sc 14 White.
• Rnd 19–22: sc around in White.

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg.

Body

Join legs: From second leg, ch 4, join to first leg with sc.

• Rnd 23: sc 18 (leg 1), sc 4 in ch, sc 18 (leg 2), sc 4 in ch (44).
• Rnd 24: (10 sc, inc) repeat around (48).
• Rnd 25–30: sc around (48). (Use White yarn).
• Rnd 31: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42).
• Candy Cane Shirt: Change to Red.
• Rnd 32: sc around (42).
• Rnd 33: Change to White. sc around.
• Rnd 34: Change to Red. (5 sc, dec) around (36).
• Rnd 35: Change to White. sc around.
• Rnd 36: Change to Red. (4 sc, dec) around (30).
• Rnd 37: Change to White. sc around.
• Rnd 38: Change to Red. (3 sc, dec) around (24).
• Rnd 39: Change to White. sc around.

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Striped Arms (Make 2)

Start with Brown (Hooves).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–5: sc around (12).
• Change to Red/White Stripes (alternate every 2 rounds).
• Rnd 6–16: sc around (12).

Stuff lightly. Flatten and sew to body.

The North Pole Wardrobe

Mint Green Pinafore Dress

Use Mint Green yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked waist-down.

• Waist: Ch 40 (measure cow’s waist). Join. sc around (40).
• Rnd 2: (BLO) (4 sc, inc) around (48).
• Skirt:
• Rnd 3: (7 sc, inc) around (54).
• Rnd 4–14: sc around (54). (Work in sc for a structured look, or dc for flowy).
• Rnd 15: (sc, ch 1, skip 1) around for a simple edge. FO.
• Bib: Join Mint yarn to front waist loops.
  Row 1: sc 14. Turn.
  Row 2–6: sc across (14).
• Straps: Ch 25 from top corners of bib. Cross in back and sew to waistband. Sew two small wooden buttons to the front of the bib.

Elf Hat

Use Red, White, and Green yarn. Worked tip-down.

• Start with Green (or Red). MR 4 sc.
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) around (6).
• Rnd 3: sc around.
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (8).
• Change color every 3-4 rounds to create stripes (Red, White, Green pattern).
• Rnd 5: sc around.
• Rnd 6: (3 sc, inc) around (10).
• Rnd 7–8: sc around.
• Rnd 9: (4 sc, inc) around (12).
• Continue increasing every few rounds until the opening fits the cow’s head (approx 48-54 sts).
• Brim: Change to Green. Work 2 rounds of hdc. FO.
• Sew a gold bell to the very tip of the hat.

Green Elf Shoes (Make 2)

Use Emerald Green yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: sc around (6). (Pointy toe).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (9).
• Rnd 4: sc around.
• Rnd 5: (2 sc, inc) around (12).
• Rnd 6: sc around.
• Rnd 7: (3 sc, inc) around (15).
• Rnd 8: (4 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 9: (Heel section) sc 12, turn. Leave 6 unworked.
• Row 10–12: sc across.
• Sew the back of the heel closed. Add a small Red cuff or bell to the ankle area.
• Stuff the toe lightly to keep the curl shape.

Santa’s Workshop Accessories

Santa Sack

Use Dark Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 8 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (16).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (32).
• Rnd 5: (BLO) sc around (32).
• Rnd 6–15: sc around (32).
• Rnd 16: (sc 2, ch 2, skip 2) around (Eyelets for rope).
• Rnd 17: (sc, ch 2, sc) in each st for a ruffled top. FO.
• Toys: Crochet small simple shapes (a blue ball, a green triangle for a tree) and sew them peeking out of the top. Use a piece of beige yarn as the drawstring.

Naughty or Nice List

Use Beige/Tan yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 8. sc across (7).
• Row 2–12: sc across. FO.
• Use black thread to embroider squiggly lines (text) and “Naughty” or “Nice” at the top. Roll the bottom edge slightly and stitch to hold the roll.

Mini Rudolph

Use Medium Brown yarn.

• Body: MR 6, inc to 12. sc 3 rounds. dec to 6. Close.
• Head: MR 6, inc to 10. sc 2 rounds. dec to 5. Sew to body.
• Nose: Large French knot in Red.
• Antlers: Brown yarn. Ch 3, sl st. Sew to head.
• Legs: Ch 3, sc 2. Sew 4 legs.

Assembly

1. Dress the cow in the Candy Cane Shirt (built-in) and the Mint Pinafore.
2. Put on the Green Elf Shoes.
3. Place the Striped Elf Hat on her head, bending the tip down.
4. Stitch the Naughty or Nice List to one hand.
5. Place the Santa Sack filled with toys next to her.
6. Set Mini Rudolph by her feet.

Your Santa’s Little Helper Cow is ready for the busiest night of the year! Merry Christmas!