Crochet Hedgehog Pattern

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I don’t know what it is about hedgehogs, but I’ve always thought they were as cute as it gets. Even though I know they’re prickly and covered in spines, I think if I ever saw one I’d want to hold it and give it a squeeze! But since I don’t have a real hedgehog, working up this crochet hedgehog pattern was the next best thing. Bonus: totally soft and squeezable.

This is not the first crochet hedgehog pattern I’ve written (see here), but it’s quickly become my favorite. This roly poly guy is small and round and pretty adorable. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought he should be holding a great big heart. If you’re feeling extra clever, gift him to someone with a card that says, “I’m stuck on you, Valentine”!

The directions for crocheting the hedgehog are written below, along with a link to the directions for my amigurumi heart pattern.

You can find a printer-friendly PDF version of this pattern on Ravelry or Etsy. The premium version of the pattern includes detailed, full-color photo illustrations for each step.

No time for the hedgehog today? Pin it for later!

Crochet Hedgehog Pattern

Materials Used:

• Yarn – Paintbox Cotton Aran in Banana Cream, Red Wine, and Coffee (less than 1 50g ball each), and I Love This Cotton in Monkey Brown (less than 1 85g ball)
• Size US E/3.5mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Stuffing
• 1 stitch marker
• 2 safety eyes, 6mm
• Straight pins

Stitches/Abbreviations Used:

• magic ring
• ch- chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• tr – triple crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
• invdec – invisible decrease (an alternative to the sc2tog stitch)

Finished Size:

The hedgehog measures about 4.75” from top to bottom.

Ears (make 2):

R1: Using cream, 4 sc into a magic ring. (4)
Sl st in first sc. Fasten off, leaving long tail for attaching.  Set aside.

Snout:

R1: Using cream, 6 sc into a magic ring. (6)
R2: (Sc, 2 sc) 3x around. (9)
R3: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc) 3x around. (12)
Fasten off, leaving long tail. Stitch a nose using dark brown yarn, starting in the center of the magic ring from round 1. Use yarn needle to embroider a triangle shape, filling in completely. Set aside.

Head and Body:

You’ll be working from the top of the hedgehog’s head to the base of the body.

R1: Using cream, 6 sc into a magic ring. (6)
R2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
R3: (Sc, 2 sc) 6x around. (18)
R4: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc) 6x around. (24)
R5: (Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc) 6x around. (30)
R6-R10: Sc in each st around.
R11: (Sc in next 8 sts, invdec) 3x around. (27)
R12: Sc in each st around.
R13: (Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc) 3x around. (30)

Attach safety eyes between rounds 8 and 9, about 8 sts apart. Attach snout between the eyes. Begin stuffing as you go.

R14: (Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc) 6x around. (36)
R15-R20: Sc in each st around.
R21: (Sc in next 10 sts, invdec) 3x around. (33)
R22: (Sc in next 9 sts, invdec) 3x around. (30)
R23: In back loops only, sc in each st around.
R24: (Sc in next 3 sts, invdec) 6x around. (24)
R25: (Sc in next 2 sts, invdec) 6x around. Continue stuffing completely. (18)
R26: (Sc, invdec) 6x around. (12)
R27: Sc2tog around.
Fasten off, using yarn needle to pull tightly through final stitches to close completely. Weave in end.

Arms and Legs (make 4):

R1: 6 sc into a magic ring. (6)
R2-R7: Sc in each st around.
Use end of hook to keep shape from turning inside-out as you go, if necessary. Fasten off, leaving long tail for attaching. Do not stuff.
Attach arms to sides of body. 
Pin legs on each side of the base of the body. Sew along the entire length of the leg so it curves along with the shape of the body. Weave in ends.

Coat of Spines:

You’ll construct the spines in two strips – one longer strip that will wrap from the base, across the top of the head, and down the other side and a shorter strip that will cover the remainder of the hedgehog in the back.

Long strip
Leaving long tail, ch 46.
R1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (45)
R2: Sc in first st. *Tr in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * across. Ch 1, turn.
R3: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.
R4: Repeat Row 2.
R5: Repeat Row 3.
R6: Repeat Row 2.
Fasten off, leaving long tail.

Short strip
Leaving long tail, ch 20.
R1-R6: Repeat rows 1-6 of long strip, with a stitch count of 19 for each row.
R7: Repeat Row 3.
R8: Repeat Row 2.
R9-R12: Repeat rows 7-8.

Attach the short strip first, centered on the back of the hedgehog, the bottom edge even with the base of the hedgehog. Sew around entire perimeter of strip to attach.

Then, wrap the long strip from one side to the other, taking care to make it evenly spaced around the hedgehog’s face, arms, and legs (I recommend pinning into place to secure). It will slightly overlap both the short strip and limbs.

Sew around entire perimeter of long strip (I added a very small amount of loose stuffing under this strip as I sewed to puff the spines out a bit).

Attach ears:

Attach ears 2-3 rows above eyes, in front of spines.

To make a heart, follow the directions here (for the 1.75″ heart), then pin the heart inside the hedgehog’s arms. Using your yarn needle and cream yarn, attach the heart to the arms by weaving needle through one hand, through the heart, and through the other hand (repeating as needed).

I hope you’ve enjoyed making your own sweet little friend from this crochet hedgehog pattern. I love seeing your work, so make sure and tag me on Instagram @crochettoplay. Enjoy your finished hedgehog!

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© 2024 Crochet to Play
All rights reserved. Designed and written by Jennifer Percival.  This pattern is property of Crochet to Play.  The written pattern and images are for personal use only.  Please do not redistribute, transfer, or sell the pattern or images, in part or in whole. Thank you.