
Embroidery lovers, get ready for some farmyard fun! This free hand embroidery pattern features an irresistibly cute cartoon cow that will add a touch of whimsy to your craft projects. Whether you’re embellishing a tote bag, a decorative hoop, or stitching a playful design onto fabric, this cheerful cow is perfect for your next embroidery adventure.

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Recommended DMC Embroidery Floss Colors
To bring this adorable design to life, consider using these DMC floss colors for vibrant and detailed stitching:
- White (DMC 3865) – Perfect for the cow’s body.
- Orange (DMC 947) – Ideal for the spots, tuft of hair, and tail.
- Pink (DMC 761) – Great for the cow’s nose and udder.
- Brown (DMC 801) – A rich color for the hooves.
- Black (DMC 310) – Best for outlining and creating expressive features.
- Green (DMC 702) – A lively shade for the grass.
Embroidery Tips for This Pattern
To make your stitching experience smooth and enjoyable, here are a few handy tips:
- Outline First – Begin by stitching the outline of the cow using black floss. This helps define the shape before filling it in.
- Use Satin Stitch for Smoothness – Satin stitch works beautifully for filling in the cow’s body, spots, and facial features.
- French Knots for Detail – Add texture by using French knots for the eyes, giving them a lively sparkle.
- Layer Grass Stitches – Use short and long stitches to create a natural-looking grass effect under the cow.
- Blending for Depth – If you want more dimension, blend two shades of orange to create depth in the cow’s spots.
What You’ll Need:
To get started on this embroidery project, gather the following supplies:
- Embroidery fabric (such as cotton or linen)
- Embroidery hoop (size depends on the pattern)
- Embroidery needle
- DMC embroidery floss (check the suggested colors in the pattern!)
- Scissors
- Water-soluble pen or transfer paper (to transfer the design onto fabric)
How to Use This Free Otter Embroidery Pattern
- Download and print the embroidery design.
- Transfer the pattern onto your chosen fabric using a water-soluble pen or transfer paper.
- Pick your stitches! Stick with easy backstitches for a simple outline, or go all out with satin stitches for a bold, textured finish.
- Follow the suggested DMC colors or experiment with your own palette.
- Frame, gift, or display your embroidered otter however you like!
Get Your Free Embroidery Pattern
Click below to download the free cow embroidery template and start stitching today. Those of you who know the password to get into this pattern can enter it below. If you don’t have a password yet, you’ll need to subscribe to my newsletter to get the password. Once you hit subscribe, the password will be in your inbox shortly.
Don’t forget to share your finished work—tag me on Instagram @nanbumblebee_embroidery and use hashtag #nanabumblebee_embroidery so I can see your creativity in action!