Travel to the charming countryside of the Netherlands with this “Dutch Tulip Girl” Cow crochet pattern. Traditional costumes from around the world are always eye-catching, and this design captures the iconic Dutch aesthetic perfectly. The character is a sweet black and white dairy cow, standing tall and proud in her heritage attire. She is dressed in a classic long blue skirt that fits neatly at the waist and flares elegantly at the bottom, paired with a pristine white apron embroidered with colorful tulips at the hem.

Her footwear is unmistakable: characteristic yellow wooden clogs with pointed toes. Perched on her head is a stiff, white lace pointed hat, often referred to as a Dutch cap or bonnet. To complete her hardworking yet picturesque look, she carries a shoulder yoke supporting two buckets overflowing with vibrant tulips. A tiny toy windmill at her feet adds the final touch to this scenic display. This project is perfect for those who love cultural dolls, farm animals, or simply the beauty of spring flowers.

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
• tr – treble crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec – decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• BLO – back loop only
• FLO – front loop only
• Picot – ch 3, sl st in first ch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• row – row
• FO – fasten off

Materials

• DK or Sport weight yarn in the following colors:
  • White (Cow body, apron, hat, windmill body)
  • Black (Cow spots, windmill blades)
  • Light Pink/Peach (Snout, udder)
  • Delft Blue (Skirt, windmill detail)
  • Bright Yellow (Clogs/Shoes)
  • Light Grey/Silver (Buckets)
  • Dark Brown (Shoulder Yoke, horns)
  • Scrap yarns in Red, Yellow, Orange, Green (Tulips and embroidery)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for the cow and miniatures)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for the dress and hat)
• 10mm Black Safety Eyes
• Craft wire (approx. 1.5mm) for the shoulder yoke and bucket handles
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, embroidery needle
• Stitch markers, pins, scissors
• Cardboard or plastic canvas (to stiffen the clog soles and bucket bottoms)

Gauge & Finished Size

The finished cow stands approximately 28 cm (11 inches) tall (including the hat). The gauge for the cow’s body needs to be tight to prevent stuffing from showing through (approx. 26 sc x 28 rows = 10 cm). The skirt and apron can be worked with a slightly looser tension to allow for a nice drape.

Cow Body Parts

Head

Start with White yarn. Work in a continuous spiral. We will add black patches using color changes.

• Rnd 1: (White) MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: (White) inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (White) (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (White) (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5: (White) (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 6: (White) (4 sc, inc) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 7: (White) (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 8: (White) (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 9: (White) (7 sc, inc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 10–13: (White) sc around (54)
• Start Black Patch (Left Eye area):
• Rnd 14: (White) 15 sc, (Black) 8 sc, (White) 31 sc (54)
• Rnd 15–17: (White) 14 sc, (Black) 10 sc, (White) 30 sc (54)
• Rnd 18: (White) 15 sc, (Black) 8 sc, (White) 31 sc (54)
• Rnd 19: (White) sc around (54)
• Rnd 20: (White) (8 sc, inc) x 2, (Black – Right Ear patch start) 4 sc, inc, 3 sc, (White) 1 sc, inc, 8 sc, inc (60)
• Rnd 21–24: (White) sc around (60). (Feel free to add another small black spot on the back of the head here).
• Rnd 25: (White) (8 sc, dec) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 26: (White) (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 27: (White) (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 28: (White) (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 29: (White) (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 30: (White) (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 17 and 18. The left eye goes into the black patch, the right eye into the white. Stuff firmly. FO.

Snout

Use Light Pink yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 9, start in 2nd ch. 7 sc, 3 sc in last. Rotate: 6 sc, inc (18)
• Rnd 2: inc, 6 sc, 3 inc, 6 sc, 2 inc (24)
• Rnd 3: 1 sc, inc, 7 sc, inc, 1 sc, inc, 7 sc, inc, 1 sc, inc (29)
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (29)

FO. Sew to the face below the eyes. Stuff lightly. Embroider two nostrils with black thread.

Ears (Make 2)

Make one White and one Black.

• 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.

Horns (Make 2)

Use Dark Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc.
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) x 2 (6)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
• Rnd 4–5: sc around (9).

Stuff lightly. Sew to top of head, inside the ears.

Legs & Body

Legs (Make 2)

Use White yarn (We will add the yellow clogs separately, so the base foot is white).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4–22: sc around (18)
• (Add a random black spot on one leg using color changes for 3-4 rounds).

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg. Ch 4, join to first leg.

Body

Continue with White (and random Black spots).

• Rnd 23: 18 sc on first leg, 4 sc on chain, 18 sc on second leg, 4 sc on other side of chain (44)
• Rnd 24: (10 sc, inc) repeat 4 times (48)
• Rnd 25–32: sc around (48). (Incorporate 1 or 2 large black patches on the belly/back).
• Rnd 33: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 34–36: sc around (42)
• Rnd 37: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 38–39: sc around (36)
• Rnd 40: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 41: sc around (30)
• Rnd 42: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 43: sc around (24)

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Use White yarn (add a black spot on one arm).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (9)
• Rnd 3–15: sc around (9)

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to shoulders.

Traditional Dutch Costume

Yellow Wooden Clogs (Klompen)

Use Bright Yellow yarn. These need a pointed toe.

• Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc (4)
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) x 2 (6)
• Rnd 3: sc around (6)
• Rnd 4: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
• Rnd 5: (2 sc, inc) x 3 (12)
• Rnd 6: (3 sc, inc) x 3 (15)
• Rnd 7: (4 sc, inc) x 3 (18)
• Rnd 8–10: sc around (18)
• Rnd 11 (Heel opening): sc 12, ch 1, turn. (Leave 6 sts unworked).
• Row 12–15: sc 12 across. Turn.
• Row 16: Join the back of the heel with sl sts or sewing.

Place the clogs on the cow’s feet. You can sew them in place for stability.

Blue Skirt

Use Delft Blue yarn and 3.0 mm hook.

• Row 1 (Waist): Ch 32 (ensure fit around waist). Sc in 2nd ch and across (31). Turn.
• Row 2: (sc, inc) repeat across approx (46). Turn.
• Row 3: sc across. Join with sl st to form a ring.
• Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc inc in every st around (92).
• Rnd 5–16: dc around (92).
• Rnd 17: sc around. FO.

White Embroidered Apron

Use White yarn. Worked flat.

• Row 1: Ch 16. Sc in 2nd ch and across (15). Turn.
• Row 2: inc, 13 sc, inc (17). Turn.
• Row 3: inc, 15 sc, inc (19). Turn.
• Row 4–12: sc across (19). FO.
• Waist Ties: Ch 35, sc across top of apron, Ch 35.
• Embroidery: Use Red, Yellow, and Green yarn. At the hem (bottom 3 rows), embroider small “U” shapes for tulips in red and yellow, with green stems and leaves connecting them in a row.

Dutch Lace Cap

Use White yarn. This hat is pointed at the top and winged at the sides.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: (sc, inc) around (9).
• Rnd 3: sc around (9).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (12).
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (15).
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 7: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 8: (3 sc, inc) around (30).
• Rnd 9: (4 sc, inc) around (36).
• Rnd 10: (5 sc, inc) around (42).
• Rnd 11–14: sc around (42).
• Rnd 15 (Wings/Brim): FLO. *sc, ch 3, sc in next* repeat around to create a lace picot edge. In the front center 10 stitches, work hdc instead of sc to lift the brim slightly. FO.
• Stiffen the hat with starch or spray to keep the point standing up.

Accessories

Shoulder Yoke

Use Dark Brown yarn and Craft Wire.

• Cut a piece of wire approx 15 cm long. Bend it into a shallow “U” shape to fit over the cow’s shoulders. Create small hooks at the ends to hold the buckets.
• Covering: Ch 4, join to ring. Sc around continuously to form a tube. Insert the wire into the tube as you go. Continue until the wire is covered. FO and sew ends closed.

Tulip Buckets (Make 2)

Use Light Grey/Silver 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 5–9: sc around (18). FO.
• Handle: Use a small piece of wire to create a handle loop. Attach to the sides of the bucket.
• Tulips: Fill the bucket with a small amount of stuffing or green yarn. Crochet tiny bobbles in Red, Yellow, and Orange (ch 3, 3 dc bobble, FO) and glue/sew them into the top of the bucket.

Mini Toy Windmill

Use White, Blue, and Black yarn.

• Tower: White. MR, 6 sc. Inc to 12. BLO sc around. Sc 5 rounds. Dec to 9. FO.
• Roof: Blue. MR, 4 sc. Inc to 8. Sc around. FO. Sew to tower.
• Blades: Black/Dark Brown. Ch 8. Sc in 2nd ch and across. Make 2 strips. Sew them in a cross shape and attach to the front of the roof.

Assembly

1. Dress: Put the blue skirt on the cow.
2. Apron: Tie the apron around the waist over the skirt.
3. Shoes: Secure the yellow clogs on the feet.
4. Hat: Place the pointed Dutch cap on the head, between the ears and horns.
5. Yoke: Balance the brown yoke on the cow’s shoulders.
6. Buckets: Hang the tulip-filled buckets on the hooks of the yoke.
7. Windmill: Place the tiny windmill at the cow’s feet.

Your Dutch Tulip Girl Cow is ready to tend her flowers! This culturally rich pattern makes a stunning display piece.