Annabelle the Highland Cow: free crochet pattern

I always hated the movie "Annabelle's Wish."  Because it made me cry.  But, I'd watch the afternoon Christmas special if it was the movie playing on TV because we were farm kids and only got one television channel and, at the time, didn't have a VCR. 

Cows were a constant of my youngest years as we had a family farm. Every white calf was named "Snowball."  I bet that fun-fact made you laugh out loud if you know me in real life and know the name of my current fluffy, golden and off-white colored dog.

Oddly, I suppose, this pattern didn't come about because of either Annabelle or Snowball the thirteenth.  My niece sent me an image of a highland cow and wanted one, both real and stuffed apparently, for Christmas. 

I wasn't going to write anything, but when I did a reverse image search on the picture and it appeared to be an AI generation "image only", well, here's my version of a highland cow in her antique-style Christmas long John's wearing a Santa toque.

 

I suppose I should have named this pattern "Snowball the Cow" but "Annabelle" in her Christmas pajamas just seems more fitting.  And this way I can pretend that Anabelle gets to keep her Christmas voice, even as Billy finds his.

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skill level

intermediate

size
approx. 8 inch tall x 8 inch wide, sitting

gauge
22 sts & 24 rounds = 4 inch in sc

needles & notions
3.75 mm crochet hook
polyester fiberfil (stuffing)
12mm safety eyes
pre-made 1 inch pompom
2-3 small black buttons
2 red or 2 green small buttons
tapestry/yarn sewing needle
stitch marker (optional, if you prefer to use one)

yarn
WoolEase Roving Originals, Latte, approx. 75 yards
Wool Ease worsted, Cranberry or Forest Green Heather, approx. 175 yards (chose one as the pajama colour to complete the pattern)
Wool Ease worsted, Flint, approx. 40 yards
Wool Ease worsted, Fisherman, approx. 40 yards
Bernat Handicrafter cotton, Jute, approx.  5 yards
Bernat Pipsqueak, whitey white, approx 10 yards (for hat option 1)
Patons Canadian, white, approx. 10 yards (for hat option 2)

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special note

this pattern is worked in amigurumi rounds without slip stitch joins

pattern, head

with fisherman yarn, ch5  

Rnd 1:  2sc in 2nd ch from hook.  sc in each of the next 2 sts.  5sc in the last st.  continue working around the bottom of the chain and sc in each of the next 2 sts.  3sc in the last st (14 sts)

Rnd 2:  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 4 sts.  2sc in each of the next 3 sts.  sc in each of the next 4 sts.  2sc in each of the next 2 sts (20 sts)

Rnd 3:  sc in the next st.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 5 sts.  [2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st] twice.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 5 sts.  2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st.  2sc in the next st (26 sts)

Rnd 4:  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 8 sts.  [2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st] twice.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 8 sts.  [2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st] twice.  (32 sts)

Rnd 5 -Rnd 6: sc in each stitch around (32 sts)

change to latte yarn and hide ends as you work

Rnd 7:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 7 sts.  repeat from * around (36 sts) 

Rnd 8:  sc in each stitch around (36 sts)

Rnd 9:  [2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 sts] 5 times.  2 sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 20 sts (42 sts)

Rnd 10:  sc in each stitch around (42 sts)

Rnd 11:  [2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 sts] 5 times.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 21 sts (48 sts)

Rnd 12:  [sc in each of the next 2 sts.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 sts] 5 times.  sc in each of the next 2 sts.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 20 sts (54 sts)

Rnd 13:  sc in each stitch around (54 sts)

Rnd 14:  [2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 5 sts] 5 times.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 23 sts (60 sts)

center 12mm safety eyes above the nose between rnds 10 & 11 with 12 sts between.  attach safety backers

Rnd 15 - Rnd 21:  sc in each stitch around (60 sts)

Rnd 22:  *sc in each of the next 4 sts.  sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 4 sts.  repeat from * around (54 sts)

Rnd 23:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 7 sts.  repeat from * around (48 sts)

Rnd 24:  *sc in each of the next 3 sts.  sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 3 sts.  repeat from * around (42 sts)

Rnd 25:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 5 sts.  repeat from * around (36 sts)

Rnd 26:  *sc in each of the next 2 sts.  sc2tog.  Sc in each of the next 2 sts.  repeat from * around (30 sts)

Rnd 27:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 3 sts.  repeat from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 28:  *sc in the next st.  sc2tog.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

stuff head to desired consistency.  remember that stuffing compacts with time but be careful not to overstuff so that the stuffing doesn’t show through your work

Rnd 29:  *sc2tog.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (12 sts)

Rnd 30:  sc2tog around (6 sts)

finishing with an Ultimate Finish close.  pull up and weave in ends

ears, make 2 the same

with latte yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch).  place 6 sc into loop (6 sts)

Rnd 1:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (9 sts)

Rnd 2:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 st.  repeat from * around (12 sts)

Rnd 3:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 st.  repeat from * around (15 sts)

Rnd 4:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 4 st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 5:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 5 st.  repeat from * around (21 sts)

Rnd 6:  sc in each stitch around (21 sts)

Rnd 7:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 5 st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 8:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 4 st.  repeat from * around (15 sts)

Rnd 9:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 3 st.  repeat from * around (12 sts)

fold ear flat and sc across to close.  leave a long tail for sewing the ears to the head

body

with cranberry or forest green yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch).  place 6 sc into loop (6 sts)

Rnd 1:  2sc in each stitch around (12 sts)

Rnd 2:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 3:  *sc in the next st.  2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 4:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 st.  repeat from * around (30 sts)

Rnd 5:  *sc in each of the next 2 st.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 sts.  (36 sts)

please note:  the next increase round is different from the rest!

Rnd 6:  2sc in the next st.  working in the BLO sc in each of the next 14 sts.  return to working in both loops and 2sc in the next st.  *sc in each of the next 4 sts.  2sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (42 sts)

Rnd 7:  *sc in each of the next 3 st.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 st.  repeat from * around (48 sts)

Rnd 8:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 7 st.  repeat from * around (54 sts)

Rnd 9:  *sc in each of the next 4 st.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 4 st.  repeat from * around (60 sts)

Rnd 10 - Rnd 17:  sc in each stitch around (60 sts)

Rnd 18:  *sc in each of the next 4 sts.  sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 4 sts.  repeat from * around (54 sts)

Rnd 19:  sc in each stitch around (54 sts)

Rnd 20:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 7 sts.  repeat from * around (48 sts)

Rnd 21:  sc in each stitch around (48 sts)

Rnd 22:  *sc in each of the next 3 sts.  sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 3 sts.  repeat from * around (42 sts)

Rnd 23:  sc in each stitch around (42 sts)

Rnd 24:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 5 sts.  repeat from * around (36 sts)

Rnd 25:  sc in each stitch around (36 sts)

Rnd 26:  *sc in each of the next 2 sts.  sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 2 sts.  repeat from * around (30 sts)

Rnd 27:  sc in each stitch around (30 sts)

Rnd 28:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 3 sts.  repeat from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 29:  sc in each stitch around (24 sts)

Rnd 30:  *sc in next st.  sc2tog.  sc in next st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

bind off leaving a long tail for sewing the body to the head

stuff the body to desired consistency.  remember that stuffing compacts with time but be careful not to overstuff so that the stuffing doesn’t show through your work

pajama bottom flap

return to Rnd 6 and the stitches that were worked in the back loops only of the body.  using cranberry or forest green, join yarn and sc into each of the leftover front loops (14 sts)

Row 1 - Row 10:  Ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch).  sc in the same stitch as Ch1.  sc across row (14 sts)

bind off and weave in ends

Attach 2 small, pajama colour matching buttons to each corner of the flap and sew each corner of the flap to the cows back (see next picture for reference)

front leg, make 2

with flint yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch).  place 6 sc into loop (6 sts)

Rnd 1:  2sc in each stitch around (12 sts)

Rnd 2:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 3:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 st.  repeat from * around (24 sts) Rnd 4 - Rnd 7:  sc in each stitch around (24 sts)

Rnd 8:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 6 sts (21 sts)

change to fisherman yarn and hide ends as you work

Rnd 9:  *sc in each of the next 5 sts.  Sc2tog.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 10 - Rnd 12:  sc in each stitch around (18 sts)

change to cranberry or forest green and hide ends as you work

Rnd 13 - Rnd 16:  sc in each stitch around (18 sts)

Rnd 17:  *sc in each of the next 2 sts.  sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 2 sts.  repeat from * around (15 sts)

Rnd 18 - Rnd 22:  sc in each stitch around (15 sts)

stuff leg approx. 2/3rds full, leave an unstuffed space near the top so that the legs are flopping when attached to the body

Rnd 23:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 3 sts.  repeat from * around (12 sts)

fold leg opening flat and sc across to close

bind off leaving a long tail for sewing each leg to the body

back 1eg, make 2

with flint yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch).  place 6 sc into loop (6 sts)

Rnd 1:  2sc in each stitch around (12 sts)

Rnd 2:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 3:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 st.  repeat from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 4 - Rnd 7:  sc in each stitch around (24 sts)

Rnd 8:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 6 sts.  Repeat from * around (21 sts)

change to fisherman yarn and hide ends as you work

Rnd 9 - Rnd 12:  sc in each stitch around (21 sts)

change to cranberry or forest green yarn and hide ends as you work

Rnd 13 - Rnd 18:  sc in each stitch around (21 sts)

stuff leg approx. 2/3rds full, leave an unstuffed space near the top so that the legs are flopping when attached to the body

Rnd 19:  *sc2tog.  sc in each of the next 5 sts.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 20:  sc in each stitch around (18 sts)

fold leg opening flat and sc across to close

bind off leaving a long tail for sewing each leg to the body

Next, choose one of the two hat options for your cow

santa hat, option 1 (pictured in cranberry)

with cranberry or forest green yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch).  place 6 sc into loop (6 sts)

Rnd 1:  sc in each stitch around (6 sts)

Rnd 2:  2sc in each stitch around (12 sts)

Rnd 3 & 4:  sc in each stitch around

Rnd 5:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next stitch.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 6-7:  sc in each stitch around (18 sts)

Rnd 8:  *sc in the next st.  2sc in the next st.  sc in the next stitch.  repeat from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 9-10:  sc in each stitch around (24 sts)

Rnd 11:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 stitches.  repeat from * around (30 sts)

Rnd 12-13:  sc in each stitch around (30 sts)

Rnd 14:  *sc in each of the next 2 stitches.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 stitches.  repeat from * around (36 sts)

Rnd 15-16:  sc in each stitch around (36 sts)

Rnd 17:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 5 stitches.  repeat from * around (42 sts)

Rnd 18-19:  sc in each stitch around (42 sts)

Rnd 20:  *sc in each of the next 3 stitches.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 stitches.  repeat from * around (48 sts)

Rnd 21-22:  sc in each stitch around (48 sts)

Rnd 23:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 7 stitches.  repeat from * around (54 sts)

Rnd 24-25:  sc in each stitch around (54 sts)

Rnd 26:  *sc in each of the next 4 stitches.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 4 stitches.  repeat from * around (60 sts)

Rnd 27:  sc in each stitch around (60 sts)

change to whitey white yarn and hide ends as you work

Rnd 28:  *HDC in next stitch.  Skip next st.  repeat from * around (30 sts)

Rnd 29:  HDC in each stitch around (30 sts)

bind off and weave in ends

glue or sew pre-made pom-pom to tip of hat

santa hat, option 2 (pictured in forest green)

with cranberry or forest green yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch).  place 6 sc into loop (6 sts)

Rnd 1 - Rnd 4:  sc in each stitch around (6 sts)

Rnd 5:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next stitch.  repeat from * around (9 sts)

Rnd 6 - Rnd 11: sc in each stitch around (9 sts)

Rnd 12:  *sc in the next st.  2sc in the next st.  sc in the next stitches.  repeat from * around (12 sts)

Rnd 13 - Rnd 20:  sc in each stitch around (12 sts)

Rnd 21:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next stitch.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 22 - Rnd 27:  sc in each stitch around (18 sts)

Rnd 28:  *sc in the next st.  2sc in the next st.  sc in the next stitch.  repeat from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 29 - Rnd 32:  sc in each stitch around (24 sts)

Rnd 33:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 stitches.  repeat from * around (30 sts)

Rnd 34 - Rnd 35:  sc in each stitch around (30 sts)

Rnd 36:  *sc in each of the next 2 sts.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 stitches.  repeat from * around (36 sts)

Rnd 37:  sc in each stitch around (36 sts)

Rnd 38:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 5 stitches.  repeat from * around (42 sts)

Rnd 39:  sc in each stitch around (42 sts)

Rnd 40:  *sc in each of the next 3 sts.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 stitches.  repeat from * around (48 sts)

Rnd 41:  sc in each stitch around (48 sts)

Rnd 42:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 7 stitches.  repeat from * around (54 sts)

Rnd 43:  sc in each stitch around (54 sts)

Rnd 44:  *sc in each of the next 4 sts.  2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 4 stitches.  repeat from * around (60 sts)

Rnd 45:  sc in each stitch around (60 sts)

change to white yarn and hide ends as you work

Rnd 46 - Rnd 49:  sc in each stitch around (60 sts)

Rnd 50:  Crab Stitch or slip stitch around (60 sts)

bind off and weave in ends

glue or sew pre-made pom-pom to tip of hat

finishing

sew the ears to the head perpendicular across head rounds 15-17 using the tail of the ear

sew the body to the head at the desired angle using the tail of the body.  Check to make sure the pajama bottom flap is to the back of the cow!

sew the back legs to the body perpendicular across body rounds 9-14 using the tail of each leg (see picture for reference)

sew the front legs to the body on a slight angle across body rounds 24-28 using the tail of each leg (see picture for reference)

attach 2 or 3 small black buttons vertically under cows chin

hair

using jute yarn make 20 six inch lengths of yarn

place hook vertically through stitches of round  18 and pull up a loop of the cut Jute yarn and slip stitch, pulling the tail through.  repeat this until all lengths (or desired amount) of cut Jute yarn are used

trim hair fringe to desired length

sew hat to head

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Finished your Highland Cow?  Did you make a whole bunch of them?  Share it online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  Want to make some of the Winter Snowballs pictured with Annabelle? Find the pattern HERE

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