Long Legs Cow

Long Legs Cow by Alison Holloway

What is Being Made

The Long Legs Cow is a crocheted amigurumi-style toy designed by Alison Holloway. This finished project measures approximately 30 cm long and features the characteristic long legs that give the design its name. The toy is constructed as a stuffed fabric creation, making it suitable as a decorative piece, plaything, or gift item.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project uses crochet as the primary construction method. The pattern is written using UK crochet terms, which is important for crafters to note when following instructions. The design is classified as intermediate difficulty, indicating that it requires foundational crochet knowledge and comfort with shaping techniques before beginning.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Long Legs Cow pattern employs several essential crochet stitches and techniques:

• Magic ring – used to begin rounds in a closed center
• Double crochet (dc) – the primary stitch for building fabric
• Half treble crochet (htr) – used for varied stitch heights
• Treble crochet (tr) – contributes to texture and structure
• Chain (ch) – foundational stitch for creating edges and transitions
• Decreases (dc2tog) – used to shape the toy and reduce stitch counts
• Increases (2 dc into next stitch) – used to expand fabric sections
• Bobble stitch – a special stitch created by working multiple yarn overs and pull-throughs, adding textural detail to the design

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for Scheepjes Stonewashed yarn in DK weight (also called light worsted). The yarn composition is 78% cotton and 22% acrylic, providing a blend of breathability and durability. The yardage is 130 meters per 50 grams. Three separate colors are used for the design:

• Black Opal – 1 ball (used for legs and body)
• Moonstone – 1 ball
• Rose Quartz – 1 ball
• Black DK yarn scrap – for embroidering eyes

Tools and Notions

A 3.5mm crochet hook is used throughout this project. Additional materials required include polyester toy stuffing for filling the crocheted form and creating dimension. The dress component is finished with 3 buttons measuring 10mm – the pattern specifies using 2 daisy buttons and 1 flower-shaped button, though crafters may substitute with buttons of their choice. A yarn needle is essential for weaving in ends and attaching pieces.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is organized by component, with instructions for creating the legs (make 2) and body as separate sections. The use of the magic ring technique indicates that the toy is worked in continuous rounds, a common approach in amigurumi construction. The pattern is provided in downloadable PDF format, making it accessible for digital reference while working on the project.