My favorite kind of objects are cute and functional. Daisy and Muriel the Amigurumi Cow Cuddlers is that x10. She’s so comforting, weighted, you can warm her up for the perfect snuggle buddy- and she doesn’t steal your blankets in the night! She’s an advanced pattern, but still works up quickly.
Making an amigurumi like this has been in my mind for a long time, I hummed and hawed over the right way to add a rice bag, the right yarn to use, and animal to make. She started as a throwback to a floppy eared rabbit I made with my grandma when I was eight, I even bought yarn that would be make the perfect bunny… more than once. Then I hit a creative block. I wanted to design a new crocheted project, I daydreamed about what I could make, sadly, nothing good was coming to mind.
Then a friend mentioned how soothing weighted stuffed animals can be. Curious, I began researching them. The more I looked the more I thought, “I could make that… and I could make it better!” The creative juices began to flow- I could make an animal that was part weighted lap pad, part cozy stuffed animal with lots of textures to touch and soothe a busy mind. The more I thought the more I realized I could create the weight with a rice bag so it could be warmed up- voila! My creative block was broken and my nostalgic project was finally moving forward.
Now what animal to make? I didn’t feel like making any of the ones popping into my head, I wasn’t sure she would look good as a bunny when I started this process, I didn’t feel like making a dog, or a cat… so I turned to the person I turn to whenever I don’t know what to make. My 4 year old son. A few weeks earlier we had visited Noble Farm No Bull, while we were there we had Farmer Aimee (as my son calls her) gave us the opportunity to brush her beautiful highland cows and walk with her goats. It was such a wonderful experience and my son couldn’t stop talking about Muriel the cow. Naturally, when I asked him what animal I should make he shouted “A cow like Muriel!”
Daisy and the rice bag 
Microwave your rice bag until it’s nice and warm (about 2 minutes) 
Put it back inside your cuddles and snuggle away
Here she is, Muriel the crocheted highland cow, and Daisy the crocheted dairy cow. Save her on Pinterest and Ravelry.
Daisy & Muriel the Amigurumi Crochet Cow Cuddler
If you would like a copy of them you can purchase a copy on my Etsy and Ravelry stores for $5.00. $1.50 of each sale is being donated to Unshattered, you can read more about them and their mission at the end of this post.
Materials
-Bernat Blanket Color A, 220 yards (Body Color)
-Bernat Blanket Color B, 40 yards (Hooves)
-Bernat Blanket Color C, 60 yards (Snout/Spots)
-Scrap Worsted Weight Black
-Scrap Bulky Yarn (like lion brand Homespun) for Hair that matches spots or for highland cows hair
-Scrap Sport weight yarn that matches the body color
-Scrap Worsted weight yarn for eye col
-5.5 mm hook
-1.65 mm hook3.75mm hook
-Finishing Needles
-Stuffing
-Rice bag (8.5”x10”)
-Zipper, 7 inches
Terms (US)
CH Chain
MR Magic Ring
SC Single Crochet
INC increase
DEC Single Crochet two together
SS Slip Stitch
SK Skip Stitch
TR Triple Crochet
Muriel was inspired by a real highland cow at Noble Farm No Bull, a portion of their proceeds are donated to help others. In honor of the spirit of the real Muriel $1.50 from every purchase of this pattern is being donated to Unshattered.
Unshattered is a nonprofit social enterprise whose mission is to end relapse for women in recovery from addiction by providing pathways toward economic independence and sustained sobriety. Unshattered employs women in recovery to handcraft premium bags and accessories from upcycled materials including military uniforms, Broadway sets, manufacturing excess and more. They also make gorgeous custom bags from your family heirlooms. Learn more, shop, or donate at www.unshattered.org.
I loved making her so much I’ve turned her into a series, over the next couple of months I’ll release a unicorn cuddles and bear cuddler. I’d love to hear what other animals you’d like to crochet and cuddle, and if you make her tag @hookedandleft #MurieltheCow and leave me a comment to let me know what you think!
If you like Daisy and Muriel try this cow pillow pattern.
level: advanced
This pattern is no longer available here, please find it on my Etsy or Ravelry pages