This gentle bovine features a warm, golden-brown coat that radiates comfort and creativity. She is dressed for a messy day of work in a practical yet stylish outfit. Her base layer is a simple, rustic pinafore dress made of beige “rough cloth” yarn. Over this, she wears her most essential garment: a white apron. But this isn’t just any apron; it is speckled with textured, colorful bobbles representing the mosaic tiles and grout she works with daily.

To keep her hair (and horns) tidy, she wears a burnt orange headband made of soft fabric. Her feet are comfortable in simple canvas shoes, perfect for standing at her workbench. Her accessories tell the story of her craft: she carries a partially finished vase, showcasing a kaleidoscope of colors, and a tote bag filled with her raw materials. Watching her work quietly is a peaceful white dove, the symbol of the harmony she creates in her art. This pattern is perfect for intermediate crocheters who want to try colorwork and textured stitches.

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
• Bobble St – (Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, pull through 2) x 5 times in the same stitch. Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops on hook. (Used for the mosaic tiles).
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK or Sport weight yarn in Golden Brown/Mustard (Cow Body)
• DK weight yarn in Cream (Muzzle, Horns)
• DK weight yarn in Beige/Oatmeal (Pinafore Dress, Shoes)
• DK weight yarn in White (Apron, Socks, Dove)
• DK weight yarn in Burnt Orange (Headband)
• DK weight yarn in Blue/Grey (Vase Base)
• Scrap yarns in Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange (Mosaic tiles/Bobbles)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• Dark brown embroidery thread (Nostrils, Mouth)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• Cardboard (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 cm (11 inches) tall. The apron texture relies on the Bobble stitch popping out, so maintain good tension.

Construction Overview

The cow is constructed in pieces. The legs are made first, starting with the canvas shoes, and are joined to form the body. The head is a sphere with a sewn-on muzzle and horns. The dress is a separate garment worn under the apron. The apron is the highlight, featuring color changes and texture to mimic mosaic tiles. The accessories—vase, bag, and dove—are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts (The Cow)

Head

Use Golden Brown yarn.

• 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 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 Cream yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 7. Oval start: sc 5, 3 sc in last, sc 4, inc (14).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 4, 3 inc, sc 4, 2 inc (20).
• Rnd 3: sc, inc, sc 4, inc, sc 4, inc, sc 4, inc, sc 3 (24).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (24).

FO. Sew to the lower face. Stuff lightly. Embroider nostrils in dark brown.

Horns (Make 2)

Use Cream yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 4 sc.
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) around (6).
• Rnd 3: sc around.
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (8).
• Rnd 5: sc around.

Stuff lightly. Sew to top of head.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Golden Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• 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 below the horns.

Legs with Canvas Shoes (Make 2)

Start with Beige/Oatmeal (Shoes).

• Rnd 1: Ch 7. Oval start: sc 5, 3 sc in last, sc 4, inc (14).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 4, 3 inc, sc 4, 2 inc (20).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) sc around (20). (Sole edge).
• Rnd 4–5: sc around.
• Rnd 6: sc 6, 4 dec, sc 6 (16).
• Rnd 7: sc 6, 2 dec, sc 6 (14).
• Rnd 8 (Strap): sc 1, ch 5, skip 5 (front), sc 8.
• Change to Golden Brown (Legs).
• Rnd 9: Work into the stitches and back of chain strap. (BLO) sc around (14).
• Rnd 10–20: sc around (14).

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 21: sc 14 (leg 1), sc 4 in ch, sc 14 (leg 2), sc 4 in ch (36).
• Rnd 22: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42).
• Rnd 23–29: sc around (42).
• Rnd 30: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 31–33: sc around (36).
• Rnd 34: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 35–37: sc around (30).
• Rnd 38: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24).
• Rnd 39: sc around (24).
• Rnd 40: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Golden Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–15: sc around (12).

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to body.

The Artist’s Wardrobe

Beige Pinafore Dress

Use Beige/Oatmeal 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: (5 sc, inc) around (56).
• Rnd 4–14: dc around (56). (A-line shape).
• Rnd 15: sc around. FO.
• Bib: Join yarn to front waist loops.
  Row 1: sc 12. Turn.
  Row 2–6: sc across.
• Straps: Ch 20 from top corners. Cross in back and sew to waistband.

Mosaic Apron

Use White yarn and various Scraps (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow). Worked flat.

• Row 1: Ch 16 (Width of apron front). sc across (15).
• Mosaic Pattern (Rows 2-12):
  Work rows of sc in White. Randomly replace a sc with a Bobble Stitch in a contrasting color (Red, Blue, etc.) to create 3D “tiles.” Carry the colored yarn behind or cut and weave in ends. Space the bobbles out to look like a scattered mosaic pattern.
• Row 13: sc across in White.
• Edging: sc around the sides and bottom of the apron.
• Ties: Attach yarn to top corners of the apron panel. Ch 30 for neck strap (or two straps to tie). Attach yarn to side corners for waist ties.

Burnt Orange Headband

Use Burnt Orange yarn.

• Ch 50 (measure head circumference).
• Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and across.
• Row 2–3: hdc across.
• Sew ends together. Pinch the front center and wrap yarn around it to create a bow or knot effect.

Artist Accessories

Mosaic Vase

Use Blue/Grey base color and scraps.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (BLO) sc around (18).
• Body (Colorwork):
  Rnd 5–10: sc around (18). Change colors frequently (every 2-3 stitches) to create geometric patches of Red, Yellow, Green, etc. Leave some parts in the base Grey color to look “unfinished.”
• Rnd 11: (1 sc, dec) around (12). (Neck).
• Rnd 12: sc around.
• Rnd 13: (FLO) (1 sc, inc) around (18). (Rim).
• Rnd 14: sl st around. FO. Stuff lightly.

Tile Bag

Use Beige/Canvas color.

• Make a simple rectangle folded in half and sewn at the sides.
• Strap: Ch 40, sew to sides.
• Fill with small knots of colored yarn to represent “shards.”

White Dove

Use White yarn.

• Body: MR 6, inc to 12. sc 3 rounds. dec to 6. Stuff. Close.
• Tail: Ch 4, dc into the back.
• Wings: Ch 4, hdc back. Sew to sides.
• Beak: Tiny orange stitch.

Assembly

1. Dress the cow in the Beige Pinafore.
2. Tie the Mosaic Apron over the dress.
3. Place the Headband on her head, tucking it behind the horns.
4. Stitch the Mosaic Vase to one hand.
5. Hang the Tile Bag on her shoulder.
6. Place the Dove near her feet or on her shoulder.

Your Mosaic Artist Cow is ready to piece together a masterpiece! Enjoy the creativity.