Learn how to knit a cute cow

Every farm needs a big brown cow! This big but babyish cow makes the perfect companion for Spud’s adventure. If you’re a novice as far as knitting toys goes, this straightforward project is the perfect place to begin.

See a larger image of the finished craft here.

Finished measurements
8 inches tall, 4 1/2 inches wide, 5 inches long from the front to the back of the body

Yarn
Spud & Chloë Sweater (55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton; 100 grams/160 yards), 1 hank each in Ice Cream #7500, Root Beer #7503, and Watermelon #7512

Needles
U.S. size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (set of four) or size needed to obtain gauge
U.S. size 6 (4 mm) 16-inch circular needle (optional)

Notions
• Stitch markers
• Ruler or tape measure
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Plastic pellets (optional—do not use for young children or babies, as they pose a choking hazard)
• Polyester fiberfill

Gauge
5-1/2 sts per inch in stockinette stitch

Body
Underside of Body
Starting at the underside of the body, cast on 5 sts with Ice Cream. Use two dpns to work back and forth.
Row 1: K1, m1, knit to the last st, m1, k1.
Row 2: Purl.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 19 sts. Work in stockinette stitch until the underside measures 3 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a purl row.

Decrease Rows
Row 1: K1, ssk, knit to the last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2: Purl. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until 5 sts rem, ending with a row 2.
Next row: K1, ssk, k2tog – 3 sts rem.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K1, k2tog, pass the first st over the second st and off the needle – 1 st rem.

Top of Body
Switch to Root Beer, and continue picking up stitches around the edge of the underside of the body. On Needle 1 (same needle that is holding the 1 st), pick up 20 sts. On Needle 2, pick up 20 sts. On Needle 3, pick up 19 sts, and transfer the first st in Ice Cream from Needle 1 to Needle 3 – 60 sts total. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch on the first needle. Continue working in the round.
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: K1, (k3, m1) six times, k1; repeat on each needle – 26 sts per needle, 78 sts total.
Place a stitch marker on Round 2 and leave it there. At this point, you can work onto a 16-inch circular needle or continue on the dpns. Knit every round until the body measures 3 inches above the marker.

Knit a cute barn cat to keep your brown cow company.

Page 1 of 3 - Find out how to decrease your rows on page 2

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Excerpted from Spud & Chloe at the Farm, copyright 2011 by Susan B. Anderson, $16.95. Used by permission of Thomas Allen & Son.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.