How to Make a Highland Cow (Free Pattern)

This no sew highland cow project idea is a fun way to spend a rainy day! The size can be adjusted, making it a perfect decor piece for a tiered tray, tucked into a bookcase, or placed on full view in an entry.

The free highland cow pattern includes the horns and snout made with hot glue, a body style choice (pool noodle or sock), and a full-length video tutorial. Friends, I cannot wait to share this fun DIY with you!

RELATED READING: This Easy Farmhouse Gnome is Done in Minutes Using Hot Glue!

How to Make a Highland Cow Gnome DIY

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I am so in love with the group we manage on Facebook. I. know the platform changes all the time and can be frustrating, but the group of crafters I get to spend time with are the best!

Over the past few months, highland cow DIY projects have hit a resurgence and are soaring again in popularity. And I have had no less than 100 requests to create a pattern and tutorial for a highland cow made with faux fur!

So here is me, delivering not one but two styles to create your own. But first… THIS IS NOT A PLUSH TOY OR A STUFFED ANIMAL; this is a decor DIY. Please do not give these to young children or pets.

Can’t Start This Easy Highland Cow DIY? Save or Share This for Later

If you need to check your stash or gather some fur, use the sharing buttons to make this easier to find when you’re ready to begin. Save this to a DIY craft pin board or share it with a crafty group on Facebook.

Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful.

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Is This a Highland Cow “Gnome?”

Because I make a ton of gnomes, I know I’m going to get this question so I want to let you know: I don’t see this as a gnome but there are SO many similarities, I can see where any confusion arises.

If you wanted to turn this into a gnome, use an upright body, a nose (as opposed to a snout), and add in the horns. I think that would be adorable and would love to see if it you make it. Come share it in the Facebook group here.

How to Use This Free Pattern

Click the link below and download the pattern to your device. Create the print at 100% to scale (in your printer settings). There is an inch marker included; please check the inch marker measurement before transferring patterns to the material.

Included in this pattern are two snout styles and one horn style. Both have the “stop” indicators which should be followed during construction. You CAN enlarge or decrease the pattern, however, note that when decreasing, turning the horns can be difficult.

Please note: this is a copyrighted pattern created by Sarah Nenni-Daher of Ruffles and Rain Boots, under the SND Developments LLC. All rights remain with the creator and the pattern may NOT be shared, distributed, or posted on any platform without express written permission from the creator.

DIY Farmhouse Cow Craft: Two Ways

In the full length, detailed DIY highland cow video tutorial here on YouTube, I show two different ways to create this cutie. Both are made only with hot glue – yay, no sewing! – and are easy to put together.

Highland Cow Pool Noodle Body (Standing Cow)

The first – and quicker and easier – body type is to create a standing cow using a piece of a pool noodle. The dollar stores carry them and they can be found at most big box stores.

That said, this style can be anything, so if you don’t have a pool noodle, use a mason jar, a plastic tube, a weighted sock stood upright – anything. If you want to add ‘hooves,’ use a heart-shape cutout as the base, paint them black, and secure the body to it.

Sock Body Highland Cow Plush

This is my preferred body type for this project because it is easy, quick, and has enough heft not be blown over. The sock can be placed horizontally (to resemble a cow) or with a vertical orientation to create the standing highland cow style.

Either way, choose your favorite – or make one of both. Let’s get started with the materials you’ll need.

Materials Needed for This Sock Cow Craft

Below are the materials I used, along with some alternatives. Use what you have in your stash – we have to work down these crazy craft supply totes! To keep this short, I’ll list the pool noodle supplies in the tutorial card at the end of the article.

• Detail Tip Glue Gun – This is my favorite (and I’ve tried many).
• Sock (children’s, women’s, or men’s) – I picked them up at the dollar store.
• Weight (I use Poly Pellets)
• Fill / Stuffing (I use Poly-Fil)
• Faux Fur – I recommend using a 2″ pile, but both shorter and longer will work. I have A LOT of fur on this list that I use and have tested the quality. The pool noodle cow’s fur is here on Etsy.
• X-Acto Knife – This is the easiest way I’ve found to precision-cut faux fur.
• Needle Nose Pliers – I’ve found these to be the easiest to use, but hemostats will work as well.
• Paper or Silk Flowers – I picked up two sizes fro the craft store.

RELATED READING: Make an Elegant Farmhouse Centerpiece for the Holidays

How to Make a Highland Cow with a Sock Body

First, add 1 1/4 cup of weight (Poly Pellets) to the adult sock. Use 1 cup for a woman’s and 1/2-3/4 cup for a child’s sock. Lay the sock down and add stuffing on top of the weight. Tie it off and set it aside.

Next, print and cutout the patterns for the cow horns and snout. Fold over the felt (or thin fleece) with right-sides together, pin on the pattern, and cut out (2 sets of horns, 1 snout).

Use a detail tip glue gun and glue the horns and snout together. Let them set completely before handling.

Once set, use the pliers to grab the tip of the horn. Pull the unattached flaps over the horn and pull the tip through to turn. Stuff the horns with a small amount of fill and set aside.

Turn the snout right-sides out and add the teddy bear safety eyes. Use an X-Acto knife to create a hole, insert the stud, and attach the fastener. Add a small amount of fill and set aside.

Wrap fur around the sock body, starting the attachment in the bottom center (to hide the seam). There are two ways to create the face and backside of the cow, so please see the full video tutorial for options to affix a piece of fur to the back. Leave the front face open.

Use hot glue to close up and attach the horns onto the face of the cow. Use hot glue to glue them securely to the body.

If adding legs, turn the cow over, cut two corks in half, and glue just to the right and left of the body center. The placement is pretty close to center, as opposed to wide – the video shows where.

Decorate the cow plush with paper or silk flowers. Start at the center between the horns and create a flower crown or just add a charm or flower to one side.

RELATED READING: Easy Spring Farmhouse Wreath in Just Minutes

DIY Highland Cow with a Pool Noodle (Upright)

If you want to create a different style, the standing cow is TOO cute! It was a favorite in the Facebook group for sure.

First, cut a 4 inch piece of pool noodle and affix it to a base of some kind. I used a thin wood round from the craft store, but wood ornament slices, cardboard circles, and so many other items will work to create a base.

Remove the wire and bake the horns per the package instructions (see the video for tips). Glue back in the wire.

Add weight to the center channel of the noodle. I used small pebbles secured with glue.

Wrap the entire pool noodle in fur, overlapping the top by 1/2 inch (or so). Be sure to glue it securely along the bottom, join edge, and the top.

Brush the fur to the fabric backing and use an X-Acto knife to poke a hole in the pool noodle. Press in the wires for the horns vertically into the noodle and then bend to create the horn placement. Glue to secure.

Glue the snout closed at the open top. Split the fur to the fabric backing in the center front of the cow below the horns. Attach the snout with hot glue.

Cut a piece of fur that is 1/2 inch wider than the top of the pool noodle, glue down the edges, and secure with hot glue.

Decorate the flower crown using small paper or silk flowers. Start in the center of the horns and work outward.

For a printed version of these tutorials for highland cows, scroll down and select print in the tutorial box below.

More Crafts You Might Like to Make

• Farmhouse Gnome DIY – This ADORABLE, slouchy-hat gnome is easily made in minutes using a hot glue gun, some ticking stripe fabric, and gorgeous fur.
• Rustic Wood Round Tiered Tray – You don’t need to be a lumberjack to create this statement piece (just head to the craft store).
• Elegant Wood Round Door Sign DIY – Whether you have a cutting machine or not, this easy craft can be a profitable sign for side business.