Part 2 of “I’m the Husband: Let’s Interview Jess!”
Hi, I’m Jonathan! If you’ve been following along, you might have already read my introduction over on the Caroline the Cow pattern page.
If not, go check that out first! It gives a little background on who I am and my role in the Jess Huff brand.
In Part 1, I interviewed Jess about how Caroline came to be, and what’s new in the pattern update.
Here in Part 2, I’m sitting back down with Jess to talk about Holly the Highland Cow, Caroline’s new sister pattern.
What inspired you to create a highland cow?
Ever since I published Caroline the Cow, people have been asking me for a highland version.
Highland cows (or “hairy coos,” as they’re affectionately called) are so popular right now! Because of the high demand, I just had to make one.
What makes Holly different from Caroline?
Aside from the alternate colors and no spots, the only two differences are the bangs and horns. Highland cows have that signature shaggy fringe over their faces, so I knew I had to capture that!
Holly’s bangs are crocheted directly into the head as you go. You chain loops into the front loops of the previous round, similar to the technique I used for Loki the Llama’s hair tuft.
Her horns are also a little different from Caroline’s: instead of the short, evenly curved Holstein style, Holly’s horns are longer at the base running parallel to the top of her head, then curve upward at the ends.
Was the design process straightforward, or did you run into any surprises?
It took longer than I expected! I actually worked on Holly and the updated Caroline the Cow in tandem, and together they took about six weeks. One of the bigger detours was figuring out whether I wanted to make Holly fuzzy.
I made two versions of the highland, and in the end I preferred the look of the standard worsted-weight acrylic. So that’s what I included in the official pattern!
How would someone recreate the fuzzy version of the cow in your photos?
Anywhere the pattern calls for medium brown yarn, substitute Premier Eyelash yarn in “Toffee” held together with Knit Picks Palette yarn in “Almond,” using a 5mm hook to meet gauge.
(Update: Premier has since discontinued this colorway. LUKCHE Eyelash Yarn in “Camel Hair” looks like a great alternative. I haven’t personally tested it for gauge, so swatch first!)
For all other colors, use the yarn and hook size called for in the pattern.
Tell us about the doll joint. This is new for your patterns, right?
Yes! Both Holly and the updated Caroline use a doll joint to attach the head to the body, which means the head can rotate and pose.
In order to make the joint method work, I had to redesign the body to be crocheted from the top down instead of the bottom up.
A lot of my testers loved it, and I’m really proud of how it turned out!
What if someone doesn’t want to use the joint?
I know it’s not for everyone. Some crafters prefer to avoid joints for safety reasons when making toys for little ones, and it can also be difficult to source them depending on where you live.
If you’d prefer a sewn-on head, the body, limbs, and tail from Delilah the Donkey are identical to the pre-update cow and work perfectly as a substitute!
Any final thoughts before we send people off to the pattern?
Holly is slightly more challenging than Caroline because of the bangs. But if you’ve made Caroline before, I think you’ll feel right at home.
And if you haven’t made either yet, what are you waiting for? 🐮
Resources
Photo Tutorials
Video Tutorials
Holly the Highland Cow
Height: 14 inches (36cm) standing Skill Level: Intermediate Crochet Terms: USNo need to travel to the misty moors of the Highlands, a hairy coo has come to you! Her bangs are marvelously shaggy, and we wouldn’t have her any udder way.
Supplies
- 3.5mm (E-4) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Fiber fill
- Yarn needle
- (1) 45mm doll joint
- Straight pins
- (2) 15mm safety eyes
261 yards of acrylic (weight 4) yarn:
- Cream – 10 yards (9m / 6g)
- Light Brown – 22 yards (20m / 12g)
- Medium Brown – 197 yards (180m / 107g)
- Dark Brown – 32 yards (29m / 18g)
Notes
Steps to Complete Pattern
- Crochet the Horns
- Crochet the Ears
- Crochet the Start of the Head
- Crochet the Start of the Body
- Attach the Head to the Body with a Doll Joint
- Crochet the Remainder of the Head
- Sew the Horns to the Head
- Sew the Ears to the Head
- Crochet the Arms
- Crochet the Legs
- Crochet the Remainder of the Body
- Add Cloven Hooves to the Limbs
- Crochet the Tail
- Sew the Tail to the Body
Abbreviations
- BLO – crochet in the back loop only
- ch – chain
- dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
- FLO – crochet in the front loop only
- inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- *sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks (*) the indicated number of times
- [sc x, *x* 2 times] – complete the stitches listed in the brackets the indicated number of times in order
- (sc x) – attach a body part while completing the stitches inside parentheses as instructed by the pattern
- {x,y} – complete the stitches listed in curly brackets within the same stitch
General Instructions
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round. Move the marker up each round.
- Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
- This pattern is worked from the top down. Some pieces are crocheted separately and either sewn on after finishing or crocheted directly into the body as you work.
- The head and body sections of this pattern are worked in tandem so that they may be connected with a doll joint. This means you will move between crocheting the head and the body simultaneously.
- To avoid cutting and rejoining your working yarn, use separate skeins of yarn for the head and body. If you use a single skein for both sections, you will need to cut the yarn and rejoin it when moving between sections.
- Before starting the project, review the list of video tutorials mentioned below.
Pattern Gauge
30 sts by 5 rounds in sc = 2 inches (5cm)
Work rounds 01 – 05 of Leg and measure across the diameter of the circle. Piece should measure 2 inches (5cm) across.
Note: Using the same yarn brand for all colors will ensure that all parts of the pattern match gauge once gauge is obtained.
Video Tutorials
I’ve made lots of video tutorials that will be referenced throughout this pattern. They will be marked with a clickable play button symbol. A full list of tutorials can be found in the video tutorials section of the pattern web page.
Instructions
Horns (make 2)
With cream yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. sc in each st around [6]
03. inc, sc 5 [7]
04. sc, inc, sc 5 [8]
05. sc 2, inc, sc 3, dec [8]
06. sc 2, *inc* 2 times, sc 2, dec [9]
07. sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 4 [11]
08. dec, sc 3, *inc* 2 times, sc 2, dec [11]
09. sc in each st around [11]
10. dec, sc 4, inc, sc 4 [11]
11. sc 5, inc, sc 5 [12]
Fasten off, leaving an 18-inch (46cm) yarn tail. Stuff the horns. The horns are now ready to sew onto the head at a later step.
Ears (make 2)
Bottom Side of Ear – with light brown yarn:
01. Chain 5 Start: inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, sc 5 in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain base: sc 2, sc 3 in last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. [inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times [26]
04. [inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times] 2 times [32]
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail. Create an Invisible Finish, then secure with a knot on the back of the work. Trim each yarn tail short (~1in / ~2.5cm).
Top Side of Ear – with medium brown yarn:
01. Chain 5 Start: inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, sc 5 in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain base: sc 2, sc 3 in last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. [inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times [26]
04. [inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times] 2 times [32]
Do not fasten off.
Joining Bottom & Top Sides of Ears: Place bottom and top sides of ear with wrong sides together. Join the pieces by placing one sc through both loops of Top Side of Ear and FLO of Bottom Side of Ear in each st around (see Figure 1).
Ch 1, turn, fold the ear in half and sc through the first and last four sts of the round (see Figure 2). Fasten off, leaving an 18-inch (46cm) yarn tail. The ears are now ready to sew to the head at a later step.
Start of the Head
With light brown yarn:
01. Chain 7 Start: inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, sc 5 in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain base: sc 4, sc 3 in last ch [18]
02. inc, sc 6, *inc* 3 times, sc 6, *inc* 2 times [24]
03. inc, sc 8, *inc* 2 times, sc, inc, sc 8, *inc* 2 times, sc [30]
04. [inc, sc 10, *inc, sc* 2 times] 2 times [36]
05. [inc, sc 12, inc, sc 2, inc, sc] 2 times [42]
06. [inc, sc 14, *inc, sc 2* 2 times] 2 times [48]
07. [inc, sc 16, inc, sc 3, inc, sc 2] 2 times [54]
08. sc 39, switch to medium brown yarn: sc 15 [54]
09. sc in each st around [54]
10. *sc 2, dec, sc 3, dec* 6 times [42]
11. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
12. sc 4, inc, *sc, inc* 5 times, sc 21 [42]
13. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
14. *sc 3, inc* 6 times, sc 24 [54]
15. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
16 – 18. sc in each st around [60]
Creating the Bangs: Create the bangs as you crochet the next round. The length will vary depending on your tension; add or remove chains from each section to achieve your desired length.
Right-handed crocheters: 19. sc 10, FLO: complete the following sections over the next 20 sts; both loops: sc 30 [60]
Section 01. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 02. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 03. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 04. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 05. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 06. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 07. {sl st, ch 10, sl st} in next st
Section 08. {sl st, ch 12, sl st} in next st
Section 09. {sl st, ch 14, sl st} in next st
Section 10. {sl st, ch 14, sl st} in next st
Section 11. {sl st, ch 14, sl st} in next st
Section 12. {sl st, ch 14, sl st} in next st
Section 13. {sl st, ch 12, sl st} in next st
Section 14. {sl st, ch 10, sl st} in next st
Section 15. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 16. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 17. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 18. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 19. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 20. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Left-handed crocheters: 19. sc 30, FLO: complete the following sections over the next 20 sts; both loops: sc 10 [60]
Section 01. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 02. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 03. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 04. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 05. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 06. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 07. {sl st, ch 10, sl st} in next st
Section 08. {sl st, ch 12, sl st} in next st
Section 09. {sl st, ch 14, sl st} in next st
Section 10. {sl st, ch 14, sl st} in next st
Section 11. {sl st, ch 14, sl st} in next st
Section 12. {sl st, ch 14, sl st} in next st
Section 13. {sl st, ch 12, sl st} in next st
Section 14. {sl st, ch 10, sl st} in next st
Section 15. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 16. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 17. {sl st, ch 9, sl st} in next st
Section 18. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 19. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 20. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
At the end of the round, the bangs should appear centered horizontally above the Chain 5 Start (see Figure 3). If the bangs appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the bangs as necessary.
Creating a Hole for the Neck Joint: Create a hole for the neck joint as you crochet the next round.
Right-handed crocheters: 20. sc 10, in the exposed back loops of the bangs: sc 20, both loops: sc 20, ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc 8 [60]
Left-handed crocheters: 20. sc 8, ch 2, sk 2 sts, sc 20, in the exposed back loops of the bangs: sc 20, both loops: sc 10 [60]
At the end of the round, the hole should appear centered on the bottom of the head (see Figure 4). If the hole appears off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the hole as necessary.
21 – 25. sc in each st around [60]
Remove your hook and insert a stitch marker into the working loop to keep it from coming undone. Pause and complete rounds 01 – 04 of the body.
Start of the Body
With medium brown yarn:
01. start 12 sc into a Magic Ring, tighten the ring around the post of the doll joint, then remove it (joint post must fit into this hole at a later step) [12]
02. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
04. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
Remove your hook and insert a stitch marker into the working loop of the body to keep it from coming undone.
Attaching the Head to the Body with a Doll Joint: Insert the post end of the doll joint into the head, and exit the post through the hole (see Figure 5). Push the post through the start of the body’s Magic Ring, ensuring the head and body are right sides together (see Figure 6).
Place the washer over the post (see Figure 7), then place the locking piece over the post until it clicks (see Figure 8).
Once secured, pause your work to finish crocheting the head.
Remainder of the Head
Remove the stitch marker from the working loop at the end of round 25 of the head, insert your hook, then continue with medium brown yarn:
26. with medium brown yarn: sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
27. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
28. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
29. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
30. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
Stuff the head.
Adding the Safety Eyes: Using straight pins, mark location of eyes 25 stitches apart between rounds 15 & 16, centered below the bangs (see Figure 9).
Replace straight pins with safety eyes, then secure backings (see Figure 10).
Indenting the Eyes: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of medium brown yarn and a yarn needle, indent the eyes by adding tension between them (see Figure 11). To view a tutorial, watch my Indent Eyes 2.0 video.
31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
32. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
33. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Finish stuffing.
34. *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish.
Sewing the Horns to the Head: Using straight pins, mark location of horns 19 stitches apart between rounds 21 & 22, inline with the eyes (see Figure 12).
Using the attached yarn tails and a yarn needle, sew the horns to the head centered over the marked stitches. Hide the remaining yarn tails inside the work (see Figure 13).
Sewing the Ears to the Head: Using the attached yarn tails and a yarn needle, sew the ears to the head next to and just below the horns. Hide remaining yarn tails inside the work (see Figure 14).
Arms (make 2)
With dark brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
Tip: Use my Jogless BLO method when starting round 05.
05. BLO: sc in each st around [24]
06 – 07. sc in each st around [24]
08. switch to medium brown yarn: sc in each st around [24]
09. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
10. sc in each st around [23]
11. sc 21, dec [22]
12. sc in each st around [22]
13. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
14. sc in each st around [21]
15. sc 19, dec [20]
16. sc in each st around [20]
17. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
18. sc in each st around [19]
19. sc 17, dec [18]
20. sc in each st around [18]
21. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
22. sc in each st around [17]
23. sc 15, dec [16]
24 – 25. sc in each st around [16]
26. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the arm. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The arms are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Legs (make 2)
With dark brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
Tip: Use my Jogless BLO method when starting round 06.
06. BLO: sc in each st around [30]
07 – 08. sc in each st around [30]
09. switch to medium brown yarn: sc in each st around [30]
10. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]
11. sc 27, dec [28]
12. sc 13, dec, sc 13 [27]
13. sc 25, dec [26]
14. sc 12, dec, sc 12 [25]
15. sc 23, dec [24]
16. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
17. sc 21, dec [22]
18. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
19. sc 19, dec [20]
20. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
21. sc 17, dec [18]
22. *sc 7, dec* 2 times [16]
23. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the leg. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The legs are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Remainder of the Body
Remove the stitch marker from the working loop at the end of round 04, insert your hook, then continue with the body:
Attaching the Arms: Attach the arms as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Arms video.
05. with medium brown yarn, attach the first arm: (sc 6), sc 9, attach the second arm: (sc 6), sc 9 [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
07. sc in each st around [36]
08. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
09. sc in each st around [42]
10. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
11. sc in each st around [48]
12. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
13. sc in each st around [54]
14. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
15 – 21. sc in each st around [60]
22. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
23. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
24. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
Attaching the Legs: Attach the legs as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Legs video.
25. sc 7, attach the first leg: (sc 6), sc 9, attach the second leg: (sc 6), sc 14 [42]
At the end of the round, the legs should appear centered below the arms. If your legs appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the legs as necessary.
26. dec, *sc 3, dec* 8 times [33]
Stuff the body.
27. sc 2, *sc, dec, sc 2, dec* 4 times, dec, sc [24]
28. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
29. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Finish stuffing.
30. *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish.
Finishing the Hooves: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of dark brown yarn and a yarn needle, create cloven hooves for each limb. Leaving a 6-inch (15cm) beginning tail, pass the needle through the center of the magic ring of the hoof, then out through the top. Repeat this process two to three times, pulling the yarn tightly with each pass. Secure the beginning and ending tails with a knot, then hide the tails inside the work. Repeat for all limbs.
To view a tutorial, watch my Cloven Hooves video.
Tail
With medium brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02 – 08. sc in each st around [6]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed. Using a yarn needle, thread the yarn tail through the tail and out the Magic Ring.
Adding the Tail Tuft: With dark brown yarn, on end of tail that was slip stitched closed:
01. join with a sl st to first st, {ch 6, sl st} in same st, *{sl st, ch 6, sl st} in next st* 2 times [24]
Fasten off and hide the dark brown yarn tails inside the work.
To view a tutorial, watch my Tail Tuft video.
Sewing on the Tail: Using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle, sew the tail centered 11 rounds back from the Ultimate Finish on the back side of the body. Secure with a knot, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.