Unleash your inner artist with “The Country Painter Cow,” a charming amigurumi character who brings the romance of the French countryside to your craft room. This creative bovine captures the spirit of plein air painting, combining rustic charm with artistic flair. She is ready to capture the beauty of the blooming meadows on her canvas.

This adorable cow features a soft, vintage-inspired coat of light brown and white, giving her a warm and gentle appearance. She is dressed for a day of creativity in a chic ensemble. Her outfit includes a classic black and white striped Breton top, layered under a practical yet stylish denim-blue pinafore dress. The dress features a large front pocket, perfectly embroidered with colorful paint splatters (or wildflowers) from her artistic adventures. To complete her look, she wears a vibrant red beret tilted fashionably on her head and comfortable white sneakers for standing at her easel. Her accessories are essential tools of the trade: a wooden-style artist’s palette with colorful blobs of paint, a paintbrush, and a tiny, buzzing bumblebee friend who is curious about her work. This pattern is designed for intermediate crocheters who love colorwork and storytelling details.

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

Materials Needed

• DK or Sport weight yarn in Light Brown (Cow patches, Body)
• DK weight yarn in White (Face blaze, Muzzle, Shoes, Shirt stripes)
• DK weight yarn in Black (Shirt stripes, Palette details)
• DK weight yarn in Denim Blue (Overall Dress)
• DK weight yarn in Bright Red (Beret)
• DK weight yarn in Beige/Wood (Palette, Horns)
• DK weight yarn in Yellow (Bee)
• Scrap yarns in various bright colors (Paint blobs/Embroidery)
• 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)
• Wire or pipe cleaner (for Bee flight path – optional)
• 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 clothing is designed to be removable.

Construction Overview

The cow is constructed in pieces. The legs are made first, starting with the white sneakers, and are joined to form the body. The torso features color changes to create the striped shirt directly on the body. The head is crocheted with a color change technique to create the white blaze on the forehead. The pinafore dress is a separate removable garment. The beret is worked in rounds. The accessories—palette, brush, and bee—are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts (Cow)

Head

Use Light Brown and White yarn. Start with Light Brown.

• 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 10–12: sc around (54).
• Face Blaze Colorwork:
• Rnd 13: sc 22 Brown, sc 10 White, sc 22 Brown.
• Rnd 14: sc 21 Brown, sc 12 White, sc 21 Brown.
• Rnd 15–19: sc 20 Brown, sc 14 White, sc 20 Brown.
• Rnd 20: sc 21 Brown, sc 12 White, sc 21 Brown.
• Rnd 21: (Brown) (7 sc, dec) around (48). (Switch back to fully brown or keep blaze if desired, but usually the muzzle covers the lower part).
• Rnd 22: (6 sc, dec) around (42).
• Insert safety eyes in the Brown section, right at the border of the White blaze, between Rnds 17 and 18.
• Rnd 23: (5 sc, dec) around (36).
• Rnd 24: (4 sc, dec) around (30).
• Rnd 25: (3 sc, dec) around (24).
• Rnd 26: (2 sc, dec) around (18).

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

Muzzle

Use Beige or 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 with dark brown thread.

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 5–8: sc around (15).
• Rnd 9: (3 sc, dec) around (12).

Flatten and sew to the sides of the head. Fold slightly for a cute shape.

Horns (Make 2)

Use Beige 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 the top of the head.

Legs with Sneakers (Make 2)

Start with White (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 4–6: sc around (20).
• Rnd 7: sc 6, 4 dec, sc 6 (16). (Toe shaping).
• Rnd 8: sc 6, 2 dec, sc 6 (14).
• Rnd 9–10: sc around (14).
• Change to Light Brown (Skin).
• Rnd 11: (BLO) sc around (14).
• Rnd 12–20: 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 23–27: sc around (42). (Brown tummy).
• Change to Black (Start Shirt Stripes).
• Rnd 28: sc around (42).
• Change to White.
• Rnd 29: sc around (42).
• Rnd 30 (Black): (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 31 (White): sc around.
• Rnd 32 (Black): sc around.
• Rnd 33 (White): (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 34 (Black): sc around.
• Rnd 35 (White): sc around.
• Rnd 36 (Black): (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24).
• Rnd 37 (White): sc around.
• Rnd 38 (Black): (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with Light Brown (Hands).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–5: sc around.
• Change to Black (Sleeve).
• Rnd 6: sc around.
• Change to White.
• Rnd 7: sc around.
• Continue alternating Black and White stripes every round until Rnd 15.
• Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to body.

The Artist Wardrobe

Denim Blue Overalls Dress

Use Denim Blue 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). (Work until knee length).
• Rnd 15: (sc, ch 1, skip 1) around for a simple hem. FO.
• Bib: Join yarn to front waist loops.
  Row 1: sc 14. Turn.
  Row 2–6: sc across (14).
• Straps: Ch 22 from top corners of bib. Cross in back and sew to waistband.
• Pocket: Ch 8. sc 7 for 5 rows. Sew to the front of the skirt.
• Decoration: Use embroidery floss to stitch small flowers or random “paint splatters” in pink, yellow, and green on the pocket and hem.

Red Beret

Use Bright Red yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30).
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around (36).
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) around (42).
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) around (48).
• Rnd 9–11: sc around (48).
• Rnd 12: (6 sc, dec) around (42).
• Rnd 13: (5 sc, dec) around (36).
• Rnd 14: sc around. FO.
• Stem: Ch 3, sl st back. Sew to top.

Artist Accessories

Artist Palette

Use Beige/Wood yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 8. Oval start: sc 6, 3 sc in last, sc 5, inc (16).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 6, 3 inc, sc 6, 2 inc (22).
• Rnd 3: sc, inc, sc 6, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 6, inc, sc 1, inc (28).
• Rnd 4: sc around. FO.
• Paint Blobs: Make french knots or tiny stitched circles using Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green yarn on the surface.
• Thumb Hole: You can leave a chain space in Rnd 3 or just embroider a black circle to simulate the hole.

Paintbrush

• Handle: Beige yarn. Ch 8, sl st back.
• Bristles: Brown/Black yarn. Attach to one end of handle, ch 2, dc cluster, cut yarn and fray slightly.
• Sew brush to the palette or the cow’s hand.

Bumblebee Mini

Use Yellow and Black yarn.

• Start Yellow. MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Change to Black. Rnd 3–4: sc around.
• Change to Yellow. Rnd 5–6: sc around.
• Change to Black. Rnd 7: dec around (6). Stuff. Close.
• Wings: White yarn. Ch 3, sl st back. Make 2, sew to back.
• Optional: Attach to a piece of craft wire and wrap the other end around the cow’s arm so it looks like it’s flying.

Assembly

1. Dress the cow in the Striped Shirt (integrated) and Denim Overalls.
2. Place the Red Beret on her head, tilted to one side.
3. Stitch the Palette to one hand and the Brush to the other (or glue to palette).
4. Position the Bumblebee near the flowers on the dress or flying nearby.
5. Tie shoelaces on the sneakers using white yarn.

Your Country Painter Cow is ready to create a masterpiece! Happy crocheting.