She is dressed in a beautifully detailed traditional Dirndl ensemble. Her outfit consists of a crisp white puff-sleeve blouse worn underneath a striking black corset-style bodice with intricate crisscross lacing. The skirt is a rich deep red, delicately embroidered with tiny white Edelweiss flowers, the symbol of the Alps. On her head, she wears a modest floral headscarf tied neatly under her chin. Her sturdy light yellow clogs are perfect for walking on rocky paths. To complete her chores, she carries a silver milk pail and has prepared a delicious wedge of Swiss cheese for a picnic. This pattern is a wonderful project for those who appreciate cultural costumes and storytelling.

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 same stitch)
• dec – decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• row – row
• BLO – back loop only
• FLO – front loop only
• Bobble – Bobble stitch (used for cheese holes or texture)
• FO – fasten off

Materials

• DK or Sport weight yarn in Light Brown/Tan (Cow Body)
• DK weight yarn in White (Blouse, Horns, Edelweiss flowers)
• DK weight yarn in Black (Corset Bodice)
• DK weight yarn in Deep Red/Burgundy (Skirt)
• DK weight yarn in Light Yellow/Cream (Clogs, Cheese)
• DK weight yarn in Silver/Grey (Milk Pail)
• Scrap of floral fabric (optional for headscarf) or Cream yarn to crochet one
• 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, Lacing)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• Cardboard or plastic canvas (to stiffen the milk pail base)

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 26–28 cm (10–11 inches) tall. The clothing is removable.

Construction Overview

The cow is constructed in pieces: head, body, legs, arms, ears, and horns. The white blouse is crocheted as part of the upper body and arms to reduce bulk. The Dirndl dress (corset and skirt) is a separate removable piece. The clogs are crocheted onto the feet. The milk pail and cheese wedge are separate accessories.

Body Parts

Head

Use Light 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)
• 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. (Muzzle will go between them).

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

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

Muzzle

Use Light Brown (or a slightly lighter shade if preferred).

• Rnd 1: Ch 8. Start 2nd ch: inc, sc 5, 4 sc in last. Turn: sc 5, inc (18).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 7, 2 inc, sc 7, inc (22).
• Rnd 3: sc, inc, sc 7, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 7, inc, sc (26).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (26).

FO. Sew to face. Stuff lightly. Embroider two wide nostrils with dark brown thread.

Horns (Make 2)

Use White or 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. FO. Sew to top of head.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Light 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 5–9: sc around (15).
• Rnd 10: (3 sc, dec) around (12).

Flatten and sew below the horns.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Light Yellow (Clogs).

• 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).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (20).
• Rnd 7: sc 6, 4 dec, sc 6 (16).
• Rnd 8: sc 6, 2 dec, sc 6 (14).
• Change to Light Brown (Skin).
• Rnd 9: (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.

• 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 23–28: sc around (42).
• Rnd 29: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Change to White (Blouse).
• Rnd 30: (BLO) sc 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).

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with Light Brown (Hooves/Hands).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–5: sc around (12).
• Change to White (Blouse Sleeve).
• Rnd 6: (Puff Sleeve Increase) (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 7–9: sc around (18).
• Rnd 10: (1 sc, dec) around (12). Stuff lower arm.
• Rnd 11–16: sc around (12).

Flatten and sew to body.

The Alpine Wardrobe

Dirndl Dress

Use 3.0mm hook. The dress consists of the skirt and the corset bodice, joined at the waist.

Waistband (Start with Black):

• Rnd 1: Ch 38 (measure cow’s waist). Join. sc around (38).

Skirt (Switch to Deep Red):

• Rnd 2: (FLO) (1 sc, inc) repeat around (57).
• Rnd 3–12: dc around (57).
• Rnd 13: (sc, ch 2, sc) in each st for a scalloped hem. FO.
• Embroidery: Use White yarn to stitch small asterisks (*) or simple flower shapes scattered around the bottom of the skirt to represent Edelweiss flowers. Add a tiny yellow dot in the center of each if desired.

Corset Bodice (Join Black to Waistband Rnd 1):

• Row 1: Work 14 sc across the front center. Turn.
• Row 2–5: sc across (14).
• Row 6: dec, sc 10, dec (12). FO.
• Straps: Chain 20 from the back of the waistband, cross them over the back, and sew to the top corners of the front bodice.
• Lacing: Use White or Gold thread to embroider crisscross laces on the black bodice front.

Headscarf

Use Cream yarn (or cut a triangle of floral fabric).

• Row 1: Ch 3. 2 sc in 2nd ch, sc in last (3). Turn.
• Row 2: inc, sc 1, inc (5). Turn.
• Row 3: inc, sc 3, inc (7). Turn.
• Continue increasing at the start and end of every row until the triangle is large enough to cover the head (approx 20 rows).
• Ties: Chain 25 off each bottom corner of the triangle.
• Decoration: Embroider tiny flowers on the scarf if using plain yarn. Tie under the cow’s chin.

Accessories

Silver Milk Pail

Use Silver/Grey yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (BLO) sc around (18).
• Rnd 5–10: sc around (18).
• Rnd 11: (BLO) sc around (18) – creates a rim.
• Rnd 12: sc around. FO.
• Handle: Ch 15. Sew to top sides.
• Insert a cardboard circle in the bottom for stability.

Cheese Wheel Wedge

Use Light Yellow yarn.

• Top Triangle: Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch. Ch 1, turn, inc (2). Ch 1, turn, inc, inc (4). Continue increasing until desired width. Make 2 triangles.
• Side Strip: Crochet a strip of sc long enough to go around the triangle perimeter.
• Assembly: Sew the strip between the two triangles, stuffing firmly before closing.
• Holes: Embroider large circles or “indentations” using a darker yellow or orange yarn to mimic Swiss cheese holes.

Edelweiss Flower

Use White and Yellow yarn.

• Rnd 1: (Yellow) MR, 5 sc.
• Rnd 2: (White) *sl st in next st, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in last, sl st back into main ring* repeat 5 times. FO. Attach a green wire stem.

Assembly

1. Dress the cow in the Dirndl.
2. Tie the headscarf under her chin.
3. Hang the milk pail on her arm.
4. Place the cheese wedge and flower near her or in the pail.

Your Swiss Alps Cow is ready for a day in the mountains! Enjoy this rustic and charming project.