Knitting Tutorial: Sunflower Cow Doll – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful knitted sunflower cow doll has a soft cream body, gray cow patches, a pink muzzle, tiny horns, floppy ears, a yellow sunflower dress, green sandals, a red bell collar, daisies on the head, a crossbody bag, a straw hat, a small watering can, a potted sunflower, bees, and a pink butterfly accent. The finished set is decorative, sweet, and full of garden details.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Finished Size

• Cow doll: about 10.5 in tall from the top of the horns to the bottom of the sandals.
• Head: about 4.25 in wide after stuffing.
• Dress: about 5 in wide across the lower skirt when laid flat.
• Straw hat: about 5 in across the brim.
• Potted sunflower: about 3 in tall.
• Watering can: about 2.25 in wide.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in cream, gray, soft pink, yellow, golden yellow, green, dark green, brown, beige straw, tan, terracotta, red, black, white, and a small amount of gold.
• US 2 needle, 2.75 mm, double pointed needles or a long circular needle for magic loop.
• US 1 needle, 2.25 mm, for small appliques if you want firmer flowers and bees.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• One 6 mm black safety eye or one small black bead for a decorative-only doll.
• Black embroidery floss for the wink, smile, lashes, nostrils, and bee stripes.
• Pink embroidery floss or blush yarn for cheek shading.
• Two tiny wooden buttons for the pinafore straps, optional.
• Thin floral wire for the butterfly stem, optional. For a child-safe version, replace wire with a firm knitted I-cord.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, pins, scissors, and row counter.

Gauge

Work at a firm toy gauge so the stuffing does not show. The recommended gauge is 7 stitches and 10 rounds per 1 inch in stockinette stitch after stuffing. If your fabric is loose, go down a needle size. If your fabric is stiff and difficult to knit, go up slightly, but keep the stitches close.

The doll in the photo has a smooth, compact knitted surface with small even stitches. Use gentle stuffing, not hard stuffing, so the head stays round, the muzzle stays oval, and the dress sits softly over the body.

Abbreviations

• BO: bind off.
• CO: cast on.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st or sts: stitch or stitches.
• Rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• ssk: slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit the slipped stitches together through the back loop.
• yo: yarn over.
• PM: place marker.
• rep: repeat.
• I-cord: knit a small cord by sliding stitches to the other needle end instead of turning.

Construction Notes

The cow is knitted in small pieces and sewn together. The legs are joined into the lower body, the arms are sewn on at a downward angle, and the head is sewn firmly to the neck. The dress, bag, hat, flowers, bees, watering can, and potted sunflower are separate knitted pieces.

Most pieces are worked in the round for a soft toy finish. Small decorations are worked flat because that makes the petal, leaf, and strap shapes easier to control. Always leave a long yarn tail when finishing a piece. Those tails are useful for sewing.

Main Cow Body

Feet and Legs, Make 2

The cow has short cream legs with gray patches and green sandals. Work the leg from the toe upward. Make one leg mostly cream and one leg with a gray patch on the lower side to match the playful uneven cow markings.

1. With soft pink yarn, CO 8 sts. Divide over needles and join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: rep k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4-5: knit all sts in soft pink.
6. Rnd 6: change to cream and knit all sts.
7. Rnd 7: k8 cream, k8 gray, k8 cream for the first leg. For the second leg, knit all sts cream.
8. Rnds 8-10: continue the same color placement, knitting each st as established.
9. Rnd 11: rep k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
10. Rnd 12: knit all sts.
11. Rnd 13: rep k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
12. Rnds 14-25: knit all sts in cream. On one leg only, work sts 1-5 in gray on Rnds 18-23 to make a small side patch.
13. Stuff the foot and lower leg lightly. Do not overstuff the top 3 rounds.
14. Cut yarn, leaving the 12 sts live on a holder. Make the second leg the same way.

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Join Legs and Knit Body

The body is round at the belly and narrower at the shoulders. The sunflower dress will cover much of the body, but the cream shoulders, arms, neck, and small gray side patches should still show.

1. Place both legs on the needle with the toes pointing forward.
2. Rnd 1: k12 across first leg, CO 4 sts for the center, k12 across second leg, CO 4 sts for the back center. 32 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: rep k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 5: rep k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
7. Rnds 6-10: knit all sts in cream.
8. Rnds 11-16: k34 cream, k8 gray, k6 cream. This makes the gray body patch on one side.
9. Rnds 17-18: knit all sts in cream.
10. Rnd 19: rep k6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
11. Rnds 20-22: knit all sts.
12. Rnd 23: rep k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
13. Rnds 24-25: knit all sts.
14. Rnd 26: rep k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
15. Rnd 27: knit all sts.
16. Rnd 28: rep k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
17. Rnd 29: knit all sts for the neck base.
18. Stuff the body firmly enough to stand, but keep the waist soft so the dress fits smoothly.
19. BO all sts, leaving a 14 in tail for attaching the head.

Arms, Make 2

The arms are short and rounded, with gray hooves at the lower end. They hang beside the dress and should be sewn slightly forward so the doll looks gentle and huggable.

1. With gray yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnds 2-5: knit all sts in gray.
4. Rnd 6: rep k2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
5. Rnd 7: change to cream and knit all sts.
6. Rnds 8-17: knit all sts in cream.
7. Rnds 18-22: for one arm, k5 gray and k7 cream. For the other arm, knit all sts cream.
8. Rnds 23-25: knit all sts in cream.
9. Stuff the hoof and lower arm only. Leave the upper arm flatter for easier sewing.
10. BO all sts. Leave a long tail.

Head and Face

Head

The head is the largest part of the doll. It is round, slightly wider than the body, and has a cream base with a gray patch over one side of the face. The pink muzzle is sewn on as an oval pad.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: rep k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: rep k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
5. Rnd 4: rep k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
6. Rnd 5: rep k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
7. Rnd 6: rep k5, kfb around. 56 sts.
8. Rnd 7: rep k6, kfb around. 64 sts.
9. Rnds 8-22: knit all sts in cream.
10. Rnd 23: rep k6, k2tog around. 56 sts.
11. Rnd 24: knit all sts.
12. Rnd 25: rep k5, k2tog around. 48 sts.
13. Rnd 26: knit all sts.
14. Rnd 27: rep k4, k2tog around. 40 sts.
15. Rnd 28: rep k3, k2tog around. 32 sts.
16. Rnd 29: rep k2, k2tog around. 24 sts.
17. Stuff the head. Shape it wide and round, with a slightly flatter lower front for the muzzle.
18. Rnd 30: rep k1, k2tog around. 16 sts.
19. Rnd 31: k2tog around. 8 sts.
20. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and secure.

Gray Face Patch

This patch sits on the viewer’s left side of the face and covers the area around the open black eye. It should be rounded, taller than it is wide, and placed from the forehead down toward the muzzle.

1. With gray yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1, WS: purl.
3. Row 2, RS: kfb, k2, kfb. 6 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k4, kfb. 8 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
8. Rows 7-12: work stockinette, knitting RS rows and purling WS rows.
9. Row 13: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. Row 14: purl.
11. Row 15: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
12. Row 16: purl.
13. Row 17: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
14. BO. Sew the patch to the left front of the head with small invisible stitches.

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Pink Muzzle

1. With soft pink yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1, WS: purl.
3. Row 2, RS: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
8. Rows 7-12: work stockinette.
9. Row 13: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
10. Row 14: purl.
11. Row 15: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
12. Row 16: purl.
13. Row 17: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
14. BO, leaving a long tail. Place a small amount of stuffing behind the muzzle and sew it across the lower front of the head.

Ears, Make 2 Outer and 2 Inner

The ears are wide, rounded, and slightly floppy. The outer ear is cream, while the inner ear is pink. Pinch the base before sewing so each ear angles outward like the picture.

1. For each outer ear, with cream yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k3, kfb. 7 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k5, kfb. 9 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: kfb, k7, kfb. 11 sts.
8. Rows 7-12: work stockinette.
9. Row 13: ssk, k7, k2tog. 9 sts.
10. Row 14: purl.
11. Row 15: ssk, k5, k2tog. 7 sts.
12. Row 16: purl.
13. Row 17: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
14. BO.
15. For each inner ear, repeat the same steps using soft pink yarn, but stop after Row 15 and BO with 7 sts.
16. Sew one pink inner ear onto each cream outer ear. Pinch the cast-on edge and secure with several stitches.

Horns, Make 2

1. With tan yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-6: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 7: rep k3, k2tog around. 8 sts.
4. Rnd 8: knit all sts.
5. Rnd 9: rep k2, k2tog around. 6 sts.
6. Rnd 10: knit all sts.
7. Stuff very lightly.
8. Rnd 11: k2tog around. 3 sts.
9. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed, and sew each horn to the top of the head.

Sunflower Pinafore Dress

The dress is the key feature of this doll. It has a yellow skirt, green scalloped lower edge, sunflower appliques, tiny bees, shoulder ruffles, and narrow straps. It should sit high on the body, just under the red collar.

Skirt

1. With green yarn, CO 96 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 2: purl all sts to create a lower ridge.
4. Rnd 3: rep k2tog, yo around.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Change to yellow yarn.
7. Rnd 5: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 6: rep k14, k2tog around. 90 sts.
9. Rnds 7-8: knit all sts.
10. Rnd 9: rep k13, k2tog around. 84 sts.
11. Rnds 10-11: knit all sts.
12. Rnd 12: rep k12, k2tog around. 78 sts.
13. Rnds 13-14: knit all sts.
14. Rnd 15: rep k11, k2tog around. 72 sts.
15. Rnds 16-17: knit all sts.
16. Rnd 18: rep k10, k2tog around. 66 sts.
17. Rnds 19-20: knit all sts.
18. Rnd 21: rep k9, k2tog around. 60 sts.
19. Rnd 22: knit all sts.
20. BO loosely. This is the waist edge.

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Green Scalloped Hem Leaves

The hem in the image has a soft green leafy edge. Make 16 small scallops and sew them evenly around the lower edge of the skirt.

1. With green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k3, kfb. 7 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
8. Row 7: purl.
9. Row 8: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
10. Row 9: p3tog. 1 st.
11. Cut yarn and pull through. Make 16 leaves total.

Front Bib

1. Find the center front of the skirt waist. With yellow yarn, pick up and knit 22 sts from the waist edge.
2. Row 1, WS: k2, p18, k2.
3. Row 2, RS: knit all sts.
4. Rows 3-12: repeat Rows 1 and 2, keeping 2 garter sts at each edge.
5. Row 13: k2, ssk, k14, k2tog, k2. 20 sts.
6. Row 14: k2, p16, k2.
7. Row 15: knit all sts.
8. BO all sts.

Shoulder Straps, Make 2

1. With beige yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Rows 1-36: knit every row.
3. BO. Sew one end to each top corner of the bib. Cross the straps at the back and sew to the back waist. Add tiny buttons if desired.

Green Shoulder Ruffles, Make 2

1. With green yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: rep k1, kfb across. 36 sts.
5. Row 4: knit.
6. BO loosely. Sew one ruffle at the top of each armhole area of the dress.

Sunflower Appliques for Dress and Bag

Make three larger sunflowers for the skirt, one small sunflower for the bag, and a short row of tiny sunflower shapes for the upper bib. The picture shows brown centers, bright yellow petals, and green leaves.

Large Sunflower, Make 3

1. With brown yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. BO. This is the flower center.
5. For each petal, with golden yellow yarn, CO 3 sts.
6. Row 1: purl.
7. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
8. Row 3: purl.
9. Row 4: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
10. Row 5: p3tog. 1 st.
11. Cut yarn and pull through. Make 10 petals for each large sunflower.
12. Sew petals around the brown center, then sew the completed sunflower to the dress.

Sunflower Leaves, Make 8

1. With dark green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k3, kfb. 7 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
8. Row 7: purl.
9. Row 8: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
10. Row 9: p3tog. 1 st.
11. Pull yarn through and sew leaves around the flowers.

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Tiny Bees, Make 3

1. With yellow yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: knit all sts.
3. Cut yarn, thread through sts, and pull closed at both ends to make a tiny oval.
4. Wrap two black embroidery stripes around the body.
5. For each wing, with white yarn, CO 3 sts, knit 2 rows, then BO. Sew two wings to each bee.
6. Sew two bees to the dress and one bee to the straw hat brim.

Collar and Bell

The red collar circles the neck and has a small gold bell at the center front. It should be visible above the sunflower dress.

1. With red yarn, CO 42 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: knit every row.
3. BO. Wrap around the neck and sew the short ends together at the back.
4. For the bell, with gold yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
5. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
6. Rnds 2-3: knit all sts.
7. Rnd 4: k2tog around. 6 sts.
8. Stuff with a tiny pinch of fiberfill, pull closed, and sew under the center front of the collar.
9. Use black embroidery floss to add a small curved line across the lower bell.

Head Daisies

The doll has two white daisies with yellow centers on top of the head. Sew them slightly to one side, between the horns, so they overlap the cream forehead area.

1. For each daisy center, with yellow yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. BO and flatten into a circle.
4. For each petal, with white yarn, CO 3 sts.
5. Row 1: purl.
6. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
7. Row 3: purl.
8. Row 4: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
9. Row 5: p3tog. 1 st.
10. Pull yarn through. Make 6 petals for each daisy.
11. Sew petals behind the yellow center, then sew the daisies to the head.

Pink Butterfly Accent

The small pink butterfly floats above the head on a thin stem. For a decorative doll, wrap floral wire with gray or cream yarn. For a soft toy, knit a 3-st I-cord instead of using wire.

1. For each upper wing, with pink yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k2, kfb. 6 sts.
4. Rows 3-5: work stockinette.
5. Row 6: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
6. BO. Make 2 upper wings.
7. For each lower wing, CO 3 sts.
8. Row 1: purl.
9. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
10. Row 3: purl.
11. Row 4: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
12. BO. Make 2 lower wings.
13. For the body, make a 3-st I-cord for 8 rows in pink or gray.
14. Sew wings to the body. Attach to the wrapped stem and secure behind the head.

Green Sandals

The sandals are green with small white flowers at the sides. They sit over the pink and cream feet and help match the garden theme.

1. For each sole, with green yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: knit.
5. Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-10: knit every row.
7. Row 11: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 12: knit.
9. Row 13: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. BO and sew one sole under each foot.
11. For each toe strap, CO 3 sts and knit 8 rows. BO and sew across the front of the foot.
12. For each ankle strap, CO 3 sts and knit 14 rows. BO and sew around the ankle.
13. Add a tiny white flower by making 5 straight stitches with white yarn and one yellow stitch in the center.

Crossbody Sunflower Bag

The bag is beige, small, and worn across the body with a long strap. A little sunflower is attached to the front flap.

1. For the bag front, with beige yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-18: work stockinette, knitting RS rows and purling WS rows.
3. BO. Make a second rectangle the same way for the back.
4. Sew the sides and bottom together, leaving the top open.
5. For the flap, CO 16 sts.
6. Rows 1-6: work stockinette.
7. Row 7: ssk, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
8. Row 8: purl.
9. Row 9: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
10. BO. Sew the flap to the back top edge and fold it forward.
11. For the strap, make a 3-st I-cord for 28 in. Sew one end to each side of the bag.
12. Make one small sunflower with a brown 6-st center and 8 yellow petals. Sew it to the front flap.

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Straw Garden Hat

The hat is worked in straw-colored yarn with a round crown and wide brim. Add a floral band and a bee charm to echo the hat in the picture.

1. With beige straw yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: rep k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: rep k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
5. Rnd 4: rep k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
6. Rnd 5: rep k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
7. Rnd 6: rep k5, kfb around. 56 sts.
8. Rnd 7: rep k6, kfb around. 64 sts.
9. Rnd 8: purl all sts to make a crown ridge.
10. Rnds 9-18: knit all sts.
11. Rnd 19: purl all sts for the brim fold.
12. Rnd 20: rep k3, kfb around. 80 sts.
13. Rnd 21: knit all sts.
14. Rnd 22: rep k4, kfb around. 96 sts.
15. Rnd 23: purl all sts.
16. Rnd 24: rep k5, kfb around. 112 sts.
17. Rnds 25-28: knit all sts.
18. Rnd 29: purl all sts.
19. BO loosely. Weave in ends and flatten the brim gently.
20. For the hat band, make a 3-st I-cord long enough to circle the crown. Sew it in place. Add small pink and green embroidery stitches along the band.
21. Sew one tiny bee to the side of the brim.

Mini Watering Can

The watering can is a small beige knitted prop with a handle and spout. Keep the stuffing light so the can stays compact and flat enough to display beside the doll.

1. With beige yarn, CO 18 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 2: rep k2, kfb around. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 3-10: knit all sts.
5. Rnd 11: rep k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 12: knit all sts.
7. Stuff lightly and BO.
8. For the base disk, CO 6 sts, join, kfb around to 12 sts, knit 1 round, then BO. Sew to the bottom.
9. For the top disk, make the same disk but leave a small center opening. Sew to the top.
10. For the spout, make a 4-st I-cord for 12 rows. Sew one end to the side of the can and angle the other end upward.
11. For the handle, make a 4-st I-cord for 18 rows. Curve it and sew both ends to the opposite side.
12. For the sprinkler head, CO 10 sts, knit 2 rows, BO, roll into a tiny cone, and sew to the spout tip.

Potted Sunflower

The potted sunflower sits beside the doll. It has a terracotta pot, a green stem, leaves, and a bright sunflower head with a brown center.

Flower Pot

1. With terracotta yarn, CO 24 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 2: purl all sts for the pot rim.
4. Rnds 3-7: knit all sts.
5. Rnd 8: rep k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 9: knit all sts.
7. Rnd 10: rep k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
8. Stuff lightly.
9. Rnd 11: k2tog around. 6 sts.
10. Pull closed and secure.

Stem, Leaves, and Flower

1. For the stem, with dark green yarn, make a 4-st I-cord for 18 rows.
2. For each leaf, CO 3 sts with green yarn.
3. Row 1: knit.
4. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
5. Row 3: purl.
6. Row 4: kfb, k3, kfb. 7 sts.
7. Row 5: purl.
8. Row 6: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
9. Row 7: purl.
10. Row 8: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
11. Row 9: p3tog. 1 st.
12. Make 2 leaves and sew them to the stem.
13. For the sunflower center, with brown yarn, CO 6 sts, join, kfb around to 12 sts, knit 1 round, and BO.
14. Make 12 golden yellow petals using the large sunflower petal instructions.
15. Sew petals around the center. Sew the flower head to the top of the stem. Sew the stem into the pot.

Facial Embroidery

Place the face before sewing the head to the body. The open eye sits on the gray patch, while the wink sits on the cream side. The muzzle should be centered low and slightly overlap the gray patch.

• Sew or attach one black eye on the gray patch, about 2 rounds above the top edge of the muzzle.
• Use black embroidery floss to stitch a curved wink on the cream side. Add two tiny lashes at the outer end.
• Embroider two small pink nostril marks on the muzzle.
• Stitch a soft black smile below the nostrils, curving upward gently.
• Add rosy cheeks by making several loose pink stitches on each side of the muzzle.
• Keep all facial stitches smooth and shallow so they do not pull the knitted fabric inward.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the head firmly to the body using the body tail. Go around the neck twice so the head does not wobble.
2. Sew the arms to the upper sides of the body, angled slightly downward and forward.
3. Sew the ears to the sides of the head, then sew the horns between the ears and top center.
4. Place the dress over the body. Sew it lightly at the back waist and under the bib so it stays in position.
5. Attach the red collar and gold bell after the dress is in place.
6. Sew the daisies and butterfly accent to the head last, checking that they sit neatly above the face.
7. Position the bag strap from one shoulder to the opposite hip. Tack it down at the shoulder and bag side.
8. Arrange the straw hat, potted sunflower, and watering can as separate display pieces beside the doll.

Care Notes

This knitted cow set is best used as a decorative handmade item. If making it for a child, avoid beads, buttons, wire, and any detachable small parts. Embroider the eye instead of using a safety eye, and sew every applique very securely.

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if the doll includes wire, beads, buttons, or delicate appliques.
• Reshape the head, dress, hat brim, and flowers while damp.
• Dry flat on a clean towel away from direct heat.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, full, and securely sewn to the neck.
• The gray face patch sits on one side and frames the open eye.
• The pink muzzle is centered and softly stuffed.
• The dress has a green scalloped hem, sunflower appliques, bees, and shoulder ruffles.
• The red collar and gold bell are visible above the dress.
• The sandals have green soles, straps, and tiny white flowers.
• The bag, straw hat, potted sunflower, watering can, daisies, and butterfly are complete.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

To preserve the shape, store the doll upright or flat in a dry place. Keep the hat brim flat and avoid crushing the flowers. If dust collects on the details, use a soft dry brush first, then spot clean only the stained area.

For long-term storage, wrap the doll loosely in acid-free tissue or clean cotton fabric. Do not seal it in plastic if the yarn is damp. Check the appliques occasionally and tighten any loose sewing tails with a tapestry needle.