This dual project focuses on the beloved baby schema, prioritizing oversized heads, wide-set eyes, and perfectly rounded forms with zero sharp angles.
By utilizing a sturdy, smooth cotton blend, your tension remains crisp and your stitches will pop.
This gives our little ones a premium, professional finish that stands out beautifully, making them ideal for high-end craft markets or as cherished heirloom gifts.
Project Snapshot
📊 Difficulty: Intermediate
⏰ Est. Time: 12 Hours (for the pair)
📏 Size: 14cm tall
“Patience is the truest magic woven into every stitch.” – Patricia
Materials & Tools Needed
🧶 Yarn: Medium weight (worsted/aran) cotton yarn in Cream, Pale Yellow, Light Brown, Dark Brown, Orange, Teal, and Red.
🪡 Hook: 2.5mm crochet hook
✨ Other Materials: 10mm safety eyes, fiberfill stuffing
✨ Other Materials: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, black embroidery thread
Abbreviations & Stitches Used
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
inc: single crochet increase (2 sc in next stitch)
dec: single crochet decrease (invisible decrease preferred)
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
The Complete Little Cow Pattern
The Head (Cream Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times (54)
Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] 6 times (60)
Rnd 11 to 14: sc in all 60 sts (60)
Rnd 15 (Cheek Shaping): 20 sc, [inc, 1 sc] 5 times, [1 sc, inc] 5 times, 20 sc (70)
Rnd 16 to 21: sc in all 70 sts (70)
Rnd 22: 20 sc, [dec, 1 sc] 5 times, [1 sc, dec] 5 times, 20 sc (60)
Rnd 23: [8 sc, dec] 6 times (54)
Rnd 24: [7 sc, dec] 6 times (48)
Rnd 25: [6 sc, dec] 6 times (42)
Rnd 26: [5 sc, dec] 6 times (36)
Rnd 27: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
Rnd 28: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
Rnd 29: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Artisan’s Note: Place safety eyes between Rnds 15 and 16, perfectly centered over the cheek increases, leaving about 11 stitches between them. Stuff firmly, emphasizing the cheeks.
The Muzzle (Light Brown Yarn)
Rnd 1: ch 6, start in 2nd ch from hook, 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch, turn to work on opposite side of chain, 3 sc, inc (12)
Rnd 2: inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc (18)
Rnd 3: 1 sc, inc, 3 sc, [1 sc, inc] 3 times, 3 sc, [1 sc, inc] 2 times (24)
Rnd 4 to 6: sc in all 24 sts (24)
Fasten off, leave tail. Stuff lightly before attaching.
The Horns (Make 2, Dark Brown Yarn)
Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring (4)
Rnd 2: [1 sc, inc] 2 times (6)
Rnd 3: sc in all 6 sts (6)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 2 times (8)
Rnd 5 to 6: sc in all 8 sts (8)
Fasten off, leave tail.
The Ears (Make 2, Light Brown Yarn)
Rnd 1: 5 sc in magic ring (5)
Rnd 2: 5 inc (10)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 5 times (15)
Rnd 4 to 6: sc in all 15 sts (15)
Rnd 7: [1 sc, dec] 5 times (10)
Fasten off, leave tail. Flatten ear, do not stuff.
The Cow Body (Cream Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
Rnd 9 to 15: sc in all 48 sts (48)
Rnd 16 (Belly shaping): 14 sc, [dec, 2 sc] 5 times, 14 sc (43)
Rnd 17 to 18: sc in all 43 sts (43)
Rnd 19: 14 sc, [dec, 1 sc] 5 times, 14 sc (38)
Rnd 20 to 21: sc in all 38 sts (38)
Rnd 22: [4 sc, dec] 6 times, end with 2 sc (32)
Rnd 23: sc in all 32 sts (32)
Rnd 24: [3 sc, dec] 6 times, end with 2 sc (26)
Rnd 25: sc in all 26 sts (26)
Rnd 26: [2 sc, dec] 6 times, end with 2 sc (20)
Fasten off. Stuff firmly, concentrating on the rounded belly.
The Arms (Make 2, Start with Dark Brown)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: [1 sc, inc] 3 times (9)
Rnd 3 to 4: sc in all 9 sts (9)
Change to Cream Yarn
Rnd 5 to 14: sc in all 9 sts (9)
Fasten off, leave tail. Stuff bottom half only.
The Legs (Make 2, Start with Dark Brown)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] 3 times (15)
Rnd 4: sc in back loops only of all 15 sts (15)
Rnd 5: sc in all 15 sts (15)
Rnd 6: 4 sc, 3 dec, 5 sc (12)
Change to Cream Yarn
Rnd 7: 4 sc, 2 dec, 4 sc (10)
Rnd 8 to 11: sc in all 10 sts (10)
Fasten off, leave tail. Stuff firmly at the hoof, lightly at the top.
The Bandana (Orange Yarn)
Row 1: ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, turn (3)
Row 2: ch 1, inc, 1 sc, inc, turn (5)
Row 3: ch 1, inc, 3 sc, inc, turn (7)
Row 4: ch 1, inc, 5 sc, inc, turn (9)
Row 5: ch 1, inc, 7 sc, inc (11)
Fasten off. Create tie strings by attaching yarn to top corners and chaining 15 on each side.
The Complete Little Duck Pattern
The Head (Pale Yellow Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times (54)
Rnd 10 to 14: sc in all 54 sts (54)
Rnd 15 (Cheek Shaping): 18 sc, [inc, 1 sc] 4 times, 2 sc, [1 sc, inc] 4 times, 18 sc (62)
Rnd 16 to 20: sc in all 62 sts (62)
Rnd 21: 18 sc, [dec, 1 sc] 4 times, 2 sc, [1 sc, dec] 4 times, 18 sc (54)
Rnd 22: [7 sc, dec] 6 times (48)
Rnd 23: [6 sc, dec] 6 times (42)
Rnd 24: [5 sc, dec] 6 times (36)
Rnd 25: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
Rnd 26: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
Rnd 27: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Place eyes between Rnds 15 and 16. Stuff firmly.
The Beak (Orange Yarn)
Rnd 1: ch 8, start in 2nd ch, 6 sc, 3 sc in last ch, turn to opposite side, 5 sc, inc (16)
Rnd 2: inc, 5 sc, 3 inc, 5 sc, 2 inc (22)
Rnd 3: sc in all 22 sts (22)
Fasten off, leave tail. Fold flat, do not stuff.
The Duck Body (Pale Yellow Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times (54)
Rnd 10 to 16: sc in all 54 sts (54)
Rnd 17: [7 sc, dec] 6 times (48)
Rnd 18 to 19: sc in all 48 sts (48)
Rnd 20: [6 sc, dec] 6 times (42)
Rnd 21: sc in all 42 sts (42)
Rnd 22: [5 sc, dec] 6 times (36)
Rnd 23: sc in all 36 sts (36)
Rnd 24: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
Rnd 25: sc in all 30 sts (30)
Rnd 26: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
Rnd 27: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off. Stuff fully to create a perfectly rounded bottom.
The Wings (Make 2, Pale Yellow Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4 to 6: sc in all 18 sts (18)
Rnd 7: [4 sc, dec] 3 times (15)
Rnd 8 to 9: sc in all 15 sts (15)
Rnd 10: [3 sc, dec] 3 times (12)
Rnd 11 to 12: sc in all 12 sts (12)
Fasten off, leave tail. Flatten to attach.
The Duck Feet (Make 2, Orange Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4 to 5: sc in all 18 sts (18)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, dec] 3 times (15)
Rnd 7: sc in all 15 sts (15)
Rnd 8: [3 sc, dec] 3 times (12)
Fasten off, leave tail. Flatten and sew the open edges closed.
The Hat (Teal Yarn, Red Yarn)
Rnd 1 (Teal): 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times (54)
Rnd 10 to 11 (Teal): sc in all 54 sts (54)
Rnd 12 (Red): sc in all 54 sts (54)
Rnd 13 to 14 (Teal): sc in all 54 sts (54)
Rnd 15 (Teal): [8 sc, inc] 6 times (60)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Assembly & Final Touches
➡️ Position the heads atop the bodies and pin securely. Use the tapestry needle to whip stitch around the neck joint, adding a final bit of stuffing before closing.
➡️ For the Cow: Sew the muzzle between the eyes, aligning it with the bottom edge of the cheeks. Embroider two small nose dashes with dark brown yarn. Attach horns and ears symmetrically to the top of the head. Sew the arms and legs to the body, keeping the legs slightly forward so the cow can sit. Tie the bandana securely around the neck.
➡️ For the Duck: Position the flattened beak just below the eyes and sew securely. Attach the wings to the sides of the body, and sew the flattened feet to the bottom base so the duck balances well. Place the hat upon its head.
➡️ Add a touch of black embroidery thread above all four eyes to create short, angled eyebrows, lending them their tender expressions.
Tips & FAQs
➡️ How do I prevent gaps in my fabric? Always choose a hook size smaller than your yarn label recommends. This keeps your stitches incredibly dense.
➡️ My figures won’t sit flat. What happened? Ensure the legs and feet are sewn closer to the front of the body’s base rather than directly underneath. You can also press the stuffed bodies firmly against a tabletop while pinning the limbs.
A Final Word
Your farmyard friends are now complete, carrying the warmth of your hands into the world. May these soft companions bring deep comfort and joy to whoever holds them next.
