Harris the Highland Cow

patternstoychildren
Written By

Image (C) Yarn - The Journal of Scottish Yarns

Make your own fold of Highland Cows, named after the stone, open shelters used to protect them from winter weather.

Loop stitch is used to recreate their unusual double coat of hair, the longest of any cattle breed, helping them deal with Highland weather: lots of wind and rain.

Like the native sheep breeds of Scotland, Highland Cows are well adapted to their environment, surviving on steep mountain areas on plants that other cattle avoid and using their horns to dig through snow to find them.

Sizes 
Small (Large) 
Height: 12.5 (18) cm / 5 (7) in 
Length: 15 (20) cm / 6 (8) in

Large size uses yarn held double

Tension 
32 (16) sts and 44 (28) rows over 10 cm / 4 in, in stocking stitch.

The tension is not critical for this project, but will affect the amount of yarn used and the size of the finished toy. Knitted fabric often grows and becomes less dense after washing, so keep that in mind when choosing a needle size.

Needles 
Small 
2.25 mm DPNs, or preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round.

Large 
3.0 mm DPNs , or preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round.

Yarn 
Jamieson & Smith, 2ply Jumper (4ply/fingering) Weight, 100% Real Shetland wool, 115m / 125yds per 25g ball

C1: Shade 32; 1 (2) ball(s) 
C2: Shade 122; 2 (2) balls 
C3: Shade 001; 1 (1) ball

Notions

  • Stuffing

  • Beads (2), size 4mm (6mm) in diameter

  • Needle for assembly and stitching embroidery details

  • Dark coloured embroidery thread or yarn for embroidery details

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