Meet the Maker: Ava’s Fiber Creations
Ava’s Journey as a Self-Taught Fiber Artist
From yarn to imagination, Ava has always found joy in creating with her own hands. As a self-taught fiber artist, she’s spent countless hours learning stitches, experimenting with patterns, and exploring new techniques. Crochet is just one of her many creative outlets, alongside knitting, cross-stitch, sewing, and drawing—but it’s the one that sparked the birth of her most beloved creation: Hamish the Highland Cow.
Early prototype of Hamish in development.
The Inspiration Behind Hamish
After seeing an adorable real Highland calf at the Prosser Highland Games, we knew that Ava would be up to the challenge of bringing them to life in crochet. She was inspired by their shaggy coats, gentle eyes, and playful personalities. Ava made translating that inspiration into yarn look so easy, churning out his head in no time!
From Idea → Sketch → Yarn → Cuddly Cow
When it came time to bring Hamish to life, Ava started with a sketch. With no formal pattern to follow, she simply picked up her hook and began experimenting. Stitch by stitch, Hamish took shape. His floppy ears, fuzzy tufts of “fur,” and tiny horns bringing character and charm. Before long, a new little crocheted friend was born. Along the way, she documented her process such that others can recreate the adorable polyfilled friend for themselves.
Challenges and Breakthroughs in Pattern-Making
Designing crochet patterns is equal parts creativity and problem-solving. The biggest challenge is wondering: will it turn out the way I picture it? Trial and error becomes part of the process. Stitches pulled back, shapes reworked, details refined until the finished piece feels just right. For Hamish, that meant testing different yarn textures and horn shapes until everything clicked.
Purple bunny, yellow Pikman, and Sun created and designed by Ava.
Other Handmade Creations
Hamish isn’t alone in Ava’s creative menagerie. She’s also crocheted small critters like bunnies, Pikmin, and axolotls. Additionally, she created a sun, embroidered beanbags, sewn pillowcases, crocheted satchels, and even made a cozy hood. Each project is a new opportunity to imagine, experiment, and create something one-of-a-kind.
Why Handmade Matters in a Digital World
In today’s world of screens and pixels, there’s something deeply grounding about holding a handmade object. Each stitch carries time, care, and love. Unlike digital creations, handmade pieces have weight, texture, and the warmth of human effort. Hamish is more than just a crocheted cow, he’s a reminder of the joy of making.
Hamish the Highland calf cross stitch pattern designed by Ava Stanis.
Conclusion: Create Your Own Hamish
Hamish has become a favorite, and now you can make your own. Whether you’re an experienced crocheter or just ready for a challenge, the Hamish crochet kit and cross-stitch pattern are designed to guide you in creating your own cuddly Highland cow. Who knows—Hamish might inspire your next handmade adventure, too! Enjoy this free Hamish cross-stitch pattern designed by Ava.