She is dressed in a charming, rustic ensemble designed for a day of “plein air” painting. Her outfit features a soft baby blue dress that mimics the clear summer sky, layered under a practical ivory painter’s smock (apron) to protect her clothes from artistic mishaps. The smock is detailed with embroidered paint splatters, showing she’s hard at work! To keep the sun out of her eyes, she wears a sweet floral kerchief tied neatly behind her horns. She steps out in sturdy black Mary Jane shoes, ready to hike to the perfect vantage point. Her accessories are a masterpiece in themselves: a tiny oval palette, a bag filled with brushes, and a colorful butterfly friend perched gently on her shoulder. This pattern is perfect for intermediate crocheters who love storytelling through handmade dolls.

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 White (Body Main Color)
• DK weight yarn in Black (Spots, Shoes, Hooves)
• DK weight yarn in Pale Pink (Muzzle/Udder)
• DK weight yarn in Pale Yellow (Horns)
• DK weight yarn in Baby Blue (Dress)
• DK weight yarn in Ivory/Cream (Smock)
• DK weight yarn in Wood/Brown (Palette, Brush handles)
• Scraps of various bright colors (Paint splatters, Butterfly, Palette blobs)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• Black embroidery thread (Eyelashes, Nostrils)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• A small piece of cardboard (to stiffen the palette and shoe soles)

Gauge & Finished Size

Work tightly in continuous spiral rounds for the cow body so the stuffing does not show. If you use the suggested yarn and hook size, your finished Painter Cow should stand approximately 26–28 cm (10–11 inches) tall. The clothing is designed to be removable.

Construction Overview

The cow is constructed in the standard amigurumi style. The head is shaped with a defined muzzle area. The body is pear-shaped. The black spots on the white body are created using color changes (tapestry crochet) or by sewing on separate black patches (instructions for patches are provided for ease). The legs and body are joined. The outfit consists of a dress and a separate apron/smock. Accessories are miniatures.

Body Parts

Muzzle

Use Pale Pink yarn and 2.5mm hook.

• Rnd 1: Ch 6. Start 2nd ch from hook: inc, sc 3, 4 sc in last ch. Turn to work on other side: 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: sc around (22).
• Rnd 5: sc around (22). FO. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Head

Use White yarn (add Black spots randomly if you are comfortable with color changing, otherwise crochet in White and sew spots later).

• 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 10–20: sc around (54).
• Note: Sew the Muzzle to the center of the face between Rnds 14-19. Insert safety eyes above the muzzle, spaced about 9 sts apart.
• Rnd 21: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48).
• Rnd 22: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42).
• Rnd 23: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 24: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 25: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24). Stuff firmly.
• Rnd 26: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18). FO.

Horns (Make 2)

Use Pale Yellow yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc.
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) around (6).
• Rnd 3: sc around (6).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (8).
• Rnd 5: sc around (8). FO. Sew to top of head.

Ears (Make 2)

Use White (or Black for one ear).

• 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 below the horns.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Black (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).
• Rnd 4–5: sc around (20).
• Rnd 6: sc 6, 4 dec, sc 6 (16).
• Rnd 7 (Strap): sc 5, ch 5, skip 6, sc 5.
• Change to White (Legs). Work into the stitches/loops behind the strap to rejoin the leg circle.
• Rnd 8: sc around (16).
• Rnd 9–18: sc around (16).

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

Body

Join legs: From second leg, ch 3, join to first leg.

• Rnd 19: sc 16 (leg 1), sc 3 in ch, sc 16 (leg 2), sc 3 in ch (38).
• Rnd 20: (inc, 18 sc) repeat twice (40).
• Rnd 21–26: sc around (40). (Add black color spots here if desired).
• Rnd 27: (8 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 28–30: sc around (36).
• Rnd 31: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 32–33: sc around (30).
• Rnd 34: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24).
• Rnd 35: sc around (24). FO. Stuff firmly. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with Black (Hooves).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–5: sc around (12).
• Change to White.
• Rnd 6–15: sc around (12).

Stuff lightly. Sew to body.

Spots (If not crocheted in)

Use Black yarn. Make random flat shapes (e.g., MR 6, inc around, then (sc, hdc, dc) to make irregular shapes). Sew onto the body and head.

The Artist’s Wardrobe

Baby Blue Dress

Use Baby Blue yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked waist-down.

• Waist: Ch 36 (measure waist). Join. sc around (36).
• Rnd 2: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48).
• Rnd 4–12: dc around (48).
• Rnd 13: (3 dc in each st) around for a slight ruffle. FO.
• Bodice: Join yarn to front waist. Work 14 sc across for 5 rows. Add chains for straps over the shoulders.

Ivory Painter’s Smock (Apron)

Use Ivory/Cream yarn. Worked flat.

• Waistband/Ties: Ch 50. Turn. Start in 15th ch from hook: sc 20 (Waist). Leave remaining chains for other tie.
• Apron Skirt: Work in the 20 sc of waist.
  Row 1: (inc) in every st (40).
  Row 2–10: hdc across. FO.
• Bib: Join yarn to center 12 sts of waistband.
  Row 1–6: sc across (12).
• Straps: Ch 20 from top corners of bib. Cross in back and sew to waistband.
• Pocket: Ch 8, sc 5 rows. Sew to front of apron.
• Details: Use colorful scrap yarn to embroider “satin stitch” blobs on the apron to look like paint stains.

Floral Kerchief

Use Cream yarn (or patterned fabric).

• Row 1: Ch 4. 2 dc in 4th ch from hook. Turn.
• Row 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc across, 2 dc in last st.
• Repeat Row 2 until triangle fits head.
• Chain long ties from the side corners.
• Embroider tiny flowers (French knots in pink/red with green leaves) on the triangle.

Artistic Accessories

Oval Palette

Use Wood/Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 8. sc in 2nd ch, sc 5, 3 sc in last. Turn. sc 5, 2 sc in last (16).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 5, 3 inc, sc 5, 2 inc (22).
• Rnd 3: sc, inc, sc 5, (sc, inc) x 3, sc 5, (sc, inc) x 2.
• Rnd 4: sc around.
• Thumb Hole: Sl st into a stitch near the edge, ch 4, skip 3, sl st. Reinforce the hole with sc stitches.
• Embroider colorful “blobs” of paint (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green) around the edge.

Brush Holder Bag

Use Brown or Blue yarn.

• MR 6, inc to 12. BLO sc around. Sc 8 rounds (cylinder).
• Strap: Ch 30. Sew to sides.

Paint Brushes

Use Brown (Handle) and Silver (Ferrule) and Color (Tip).

• Ch 6 (Brown). Change to Silver, sc 2. Change to Color (Red/Blue), sc 1. Fasten off. Make 2-3. Place in bag.

Tiny Butterfly

Use bright yarn.

• MR. (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st) x 2 (Top wings). (Ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st) x 2 (Bottom wings). Pull tight.
• Use black thread to tie around the center for the body/antennae. Sew to the cow’s horn or smock.

Assembly

1. Dress the cow in the Blue Dress.
2. Layer the Ivory Smock over the dress.
3. Tie the Kerchief around her head (behind the horns).
4. Hang the Brush Bag on her shoulder.
5. Stitch the Palette to her hand.
6. Secure the Butterfly to a horn or shoulder.

Your Countryside Painter Cow is ready to create a masterpiece! Enjoy the crochet process.