This title is very close to your last two beginner articles (a whale and a frog), so I chose a new animal: a chubby little hedgehog. The body is a single oval worked in one piece, with a cream face and belly worked as a color change, and the spikes are made with simple loop stitches in the back. If you can make a magic ring and work single crochet, increases, and decreases, you can make this hedgehog. Give it as a gift, set it on a desk, or make a whole family in different browns.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner, using basic stitches plus one easy texture stitch (optional).
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The body is worked in one piece in continuous rounds, changing from cream (face) to brown (back). The ears, nose, and feet are worked separately and sewn on. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 10 cm (4 in) long and 8 cm (3 in) tall, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in medium brown, approximately 20 g, for the back and ears.
- Cream or light tan yarn, approximately 10 g, for the face, belly, and feet.
- Dark brown or black yarn, approximately 2 g, for the nose.
- Pink thread for the cheeks, and black thread for the mouth and optional embroidered eyes.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 6 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes if the hedgehog is for a baby or young child.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| BLO | back loop only |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. Count your stitches at the end of every round. It is the best habit a beginner can build.
When you change color, switch on the final yarn-over of the last stitch of the previous round. The cream section is the face and belly, and the brown section is the back, so the color change creates a natural hairline.
Body (cream, then brown)
Round 1: With cream, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Rounds 6–8: Sc in every stitch. [30 per round; 3 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 6 and 7, with about 8 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the nose at the center front on Round 8.
Round 9: Change to brown. (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 10–15: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 6 rounds]
Round 16: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 17: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff firmly now, and flatten the bottom slightly so the hedgehog sits.
Round 18: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 19: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 20: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end. The closed hole is the back of the hedgehog.
Optional Spiky Texture
For a spiky back, add small loops of brown yarn: cut 4 cm (1.5 in) strands, fold each in half, pull the loop through a stitch with your hook, thread the ends through the loop, and pull snug. Add them in staggered rows on the brown section only (Rounds 9–18), about 1 stitch apart. Trim to about 1 cm (0.5 in) and fluff the ends with your tapestry needle. Skip this step for babies and toddlers, as the strands can come loose.
Nose (dark brown)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 2. [6]
Stuff very lightly, fasten off with a long tail, and sew to the pinned position on the front of the face.
Ears (make 2, brown)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Sc around. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten each ear and sew to the top of the head at the color change, about 6 stitches apart.
Feet (make 2, cream)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Sc around. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail. Flatten and sew to the bottom front of the body, about 5 stitches apart, with the toes pointing forward.
Face and Finishing
- Mouth: With black thread, embroider a tiny smile about 2 rounds below the nose, about 3 stitches wide.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
- Ears and feet: Sew them on securely with several passes.
- Shape: Roll the body gently between your palms to smooth lumps.
- Hide every tail and give each part a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
My stitch count is off. Count at the end of every round. If you are one stitch off, undo the round and redo it.
The color change looks jagged. Change color on the last stitch of the round, and move the marker before you start the next one. A small jog is normal in spiral crochet.
The hedgehog tips forward. Flatten the bottom, and sew the feet on at the same height.
The nose looks too big. Skip Round 2 and sew the 4-stitch cone on as a tiny nose.
The spikes look messy. Trim them evenly and use a pet brush or tapestry needle to fluff them.
FAQ
What yarn should a beginner use? Smooth, light-colored cotton or acrylic in DK weight. Dark yarn hides the stitches and is harder to read.
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for a hedgehog about twice the size, and add 2 extra plain rounds before the decreases.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 6 and 7, with 8 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try gray, caramel, or soft pink, or make a mini version with fingering-weight yarn.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Easy Amigurumi for Beginners (Frog)
- Easy Amigurumi for Beginners (Whale)
- Tiny Crochet Chick Pattern
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