Highland Hues Highland Cow Basket
The Highland Hues Highland Cow Basket is a whimsical crochet basket pattern that’s sure to bring a smile to any cow lover’s face. Made with sturdy t-shirt yarn, this adorable Highland cow works up surprisingly quickly and makes a charming addition to nurseries, playrooms, and farm-themed décor. Customize the colors to create a gender-specific baby gift or match your nursery theme, making it a thoughtful handmade baby shower present. Or put into a themed kitchen or bathroom for extra storage.
You’ll find everything you need to crochet the basket below, including the yarn, crochet hook, a free pattern, and a video tutorial. If you like this pattern, please share it!
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Disclaimer
This post contains affiliate links for the items I used to crochet this pattern, at no cost to you. I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. This blog post also displays ads. The revenue from ads and affiliate links allows me to offer this crochet pattern for free. Please do not copy, paste, or distribute this pattern. If you prefer not to view the pattern on the blog, you may purchase an ad-free digital PDF in my pattern shops for a small fee (link below). Thank you so much for your support!
Crochet Tutorials
If you’re new to crochet, no worries! I have many beginner tutorial videos to guide you through every step of the process. My tutorials are designed to be easy to follow and will help you master the basics and beyond. You can use the search bar anytime to look for a particular stitch or technique.
Crochet Stitches Used For Pattern
The basket uses a combination of single crochet, half double crochet (modified), and double crochet. If you are new to crochet, click on each stitch to be taken to beginner tutorials before you get started.
Yarn Selection
This project uses a variety of yarns to achieve the whimsical Highland Cow look.
The main basket is made with T-shirt yarn. To find the colors I wanted all from one seller (this color combo was hard to find), I purchased from Temu and was actually very happy with the cost and quality of the yarn. This one was a total win and you can get the same yarn using this link.
The horns are made with Red Heart Super Saver in Buff and it was perfect to achieve the correct color and size.
Lastly, for the hair, I actually used some of my leftover boucle yarn from my Temu Slipper Kit that I reviewed a little while back. It was the perfect color and size for this project. If you want to purchase just the yarn, this seller has the same type of yarn for sale by itself.
If you plan to substitute, you will need T-shirt yarn, worsted weight yarn and a super bulky boucle/chenille type yarn in the following yardages.
Basket Body and Ears: T-shirt yarn in the following yardage and colors:
- 100 yds of White (CA)
- 30 yds each of Blue (CB), Purple (CC), and Pink (CD)
- Sub with super bulky/t-shirt yarn
Basket Horns:
- 15 yards of Red Heart Super Saver in Buff (0334) (CE)
- Sub with worsted weight yarn
Basket Hair:
- 15 yards of White Color Boucle Yarn cut into 8 inch strips (CF)
- Sub with super bulky boucle yarn
Crochet Hooks Used For Pattern
You’ll need a 5.5mm [US-I] hook for the basket and ears portion. The horns will use a 3.5mm [US-E]. This will create the dense tight stitches needed for structure.
After testing numerous brands, I’ve narrowed down my favorites. Below, you’ll find my top picks, ranked from least to most expensive. Note, different brands may label their hooks with varying US sizes, so it’s best to focus on choosing one that specifically states 10mm.
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In the video tutorial, I’m using this Clover Soft Touch Amour hook. I love how smoothly the yarn glides over the long plastic shaft. I rated this choice $$ because, like my other favorite plastic hook, it’s priced similarly—not a bargain, but absolutely worth it for the quality and comfort.
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Another favorite plastic hook is the Prym Crochet Hooks. They too, have great long shafts and slick plastic. Both this choice and the Clover Amour would be perfect to make the basket with.
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Furls Crochet Hooks are beautifully crafted and made to be ergonomic. They come in a range of materials and colors so you can get wood, metal, or resin depending on your preference. They have nice large shafts and yarn glides wonderfully over every material.
Additional Supplies Needed
Part of the pattern is worked in spirals so you will need a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds. I love the split ring ones below as they come in various sizes (and you’ll need a big one for this project) and the open end is fast to put on and take off as you come to each round.
The only other thing you will need is a yarn needle to weave in ends and sew the owl eyes and nose to the basket. Be sure to choose a large eye to accommodate the four strands of yarn. I like metal needles like the Susan Bates option below.
Gauge For Pattern
To achieve the same size as listed below, you will need the following gauge: 4”= 10 STS x 9 rows in MOD HDC.
For this project, achieving an exact gauge isn’t critical, but keeping your stitches tight is essential to ensure your basket holds its shape.
Video Tutorial
The video tutorial will walk you through the entire pattern so all levels of crocheters can make this cute home decor basket.
Pin For Later
If you’re not ready to start the project yet, pin this page to head back quickly.
Finished Measurements
If following gauge, you can expect the basket to measure 28″ at the top circumference and be 6″ tall.
Construction
The basket is worked in the round from bottom to top joining each round. Then the ears and horns are worked sepraately and sewn on. Lastly, the “hair” is added to finish off the basket.
Special Stitches Used In The Pattern
MOD HDC: Instead of a normal yarn over of back to front for the HDC, you will instead wrap the yarn from front to back to begin your HDC.
Tall CH: This will be used instead of a beginning CH 2/3. You will pull up a loop as tall as a HDC/DC, then lock it in with another CH. Your first HDC/DC will be worked in the first ST of the row. The tall CH does not count as a stitch. This will eliminate the gap at the beginning of the RND.
See the video tutorial for help on both stitches.
Abbreviations Used
- BLO- back loop only
- CA(B, C…)- Color A, B, C…
- CH- chain
- DC- double crochet
- MAL- magic adjustable loop
- MOD HDC- modified half double crochet
- RND- round
- SC- single crochet
- SC2TOG- single crochet 2 together
- SL ST- slip stitch
- ST(S)- stitch(es)
- […]- repeat what is inside the brackets the amount of times stated directly outside of the brackets.
COPYRIGHT
The pattern and all related content are the exclusive property of Knit and Crochet Ever After, protected under copyright and intellectual property laws. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or transmission in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, screenshots, printing, or other electronic or mechanical methods, is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from me.
This free crochet pattern is intended for personal use only on the blog. By accessing this pattern, you agree to comply with these copyright terms and conditions. Unauthorized sharing or reproduction may result in legal consequences.
Thank you for respecting my hard work and intellectual property!
Highland Hues Highland Cow Basket
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Special Instructions For The Pattern
- Read through the whole pattern before beginning.
- When told to change color, you will do it during the last stitch of the previous round.
- You can either fasten off after each color change of the basket, or run the tail up the inside until it is used again.
Basket Base Instructions
RND 1: With CA, SC 6 times in MAL, join RND with SL ST in 1st SC. 6 STS
RND 2: Tall CH, DC 2 times in each ST around. Join with SL ST in 1st DC. 12 STS
RND 3: Tall CH, DC 2 times in each ST around. Join with SL ST in 1st DC. 24 STS
RND 4: Tall CH, [DC 2 times in next ST, DC in next ST] 12 times. Join with SL ST in 1st DC. 36 STS
RND 5: Tall CH, [DC 2 times in next ST, DC in next 2 STS] 12 times. Join with SL ST in 1st DC. 48 STS
RND 6: Tall CH, [DC 2 times in next ST, DC in next 3 STS] 12 times. Join with SL ST in 1st DC. 60 STS
RND 7: Tall CH, [DC 2 times in next ST, DC in next 4 STS] 12 times. Join with SL ST in 1st DC. 72 STS
Basket Body Instructions
RND 8: Tall CH, MOD HDC in BLO in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 9: With CB, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 10: With CC, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 11: With CD, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 12: With CA, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 13: With CB, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 14: With CC, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 15: With CD, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 16: With CA, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 17: With CB, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 18: With CC, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 19: With CD, Tall CH, MOD HDC in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st MOD HDC. 72 STS
RND 20: With CA, CH 1, SC in same ST as CH 1 and in each ST around. Join RND with SL ST in 1st SC. 72 STS
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Ear Instructions (make two)
Note: Ears will be worked in spirals with no joining of the rounds. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds.
RND 1: With CA, SC 6 times in MAL. 6 STS
RND 2: SC 2 times in each ST around. 12 STS
RND 3: [SC 2 times in next ST, SC in next ST] 6 times. 18 STS
RNDs 4-7: SC in each ST around. 18 STS
RND 8: [SC2TOG, SC in next ST] 6 times. 12 STS
SL ST into next ST and fasten off with long tail to sew to basket.
Horn Instructions (make 2)
Note: Horns will be worked in spirals with no joining of the rounds. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds.
RND 1: With CE, SC 4 times in MAL. 4 STS
RND 2: SC 2 times in each ST around. 8 STS
RNDs 3-5: SC in each ST around. 8 STS
RND 6: SC in next ST, [SC 2 times in next ST] 4 times, SC in next ST, SC2TOG. 11 STS
RND 7: [SC in next 3 STS, SC 2 times in next ST] 2 times, SC in last 3 STS. 13 STS
RNDs 8-12: SC in each ST around. 13 STS
SL ST in next ST and fasten off with long tail to sew to basket.
Assembly
Place horns in desired location across from each other on the basket. Mine is exactly half way across the basket. Sew so they touch RND 20 at the top of the horn.
Place ears directly below horns and sew to basket.
Cut 8 inches strands of CF and place them as desired between the ears and horns.
Mine are 2 strands to each “tassel” around the RND 19 post of the basket.
I hope you enjoy this pattern and would love to see what you make with it. Be sure to tag me on Insta or Facebook with @knitandcrocheteverafter, I love seeing what you guys come up with!