Make this cute hedgehog with our free crochet pattern
We love trying a new crochet project – and this free crochet pattern to make a hedgehog is bound to be an instant favourite.
The hedgehog is the perfect introduction to the wonderful world of amigurumi, or if you've made our knitted hedgehog and would like another prickly pal!
This pattern is perfect for intermediate crocheters, who know how to crochet and would like to use their skills to create fun projects.
It make a lovely gift for a friend or as a cute companion to watch over your crafting!
Happy stitching!
Finished measurements
Height: 18cm; width: 12cm.
Materials
2 x 25g balls of Erika Knight British Blue Wool in Milk 100 (A)
1 x 100g ball of Erika Knight Fur Wool in Milk Chocolate (B)
Short lengths of black and brown embroidery thread
3.5mm and 6.5mm crochet hooks
Wool/tapestry needle
Stitch marker
Soft light-red coloured pencil
Tension
25 sts and 27 rows to 10cm square in all-over double-crochet using 3.5mm hook and A.
Abbreviations (UK terms)
ch, chain; dc, double crochet; rep, repeat; slst, slipstitch; st(s), stitch(es); tr, treble crochet; yrh, yarn round hook.
Special stitches
dc2tog, double crochet 2 sts together (to decrease 1 st) as follows: * insert hook into next st, yrh, and pull a loop through; rep from * once more in next st (3 loops on hook), yrh and pull through all 3 loops on hook; tr3tog, treble crochet 3 sts together (to decrease 2 sts) as follows: [yrh, insert hook into st as indicated, yrh and pull a loop through, yrh and pull through first 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yrh and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Pattern notes
Body, arms and legs are worked entirely in rounds with the right side of the work facing you. Spines and ears are worked in rows, not rounds.
Body (starting at base)
Foundation round: With 4mm hook and A, make a ring of yarn as follows: wind yarn round index finger of left hand to form a ring, insert hook into ring, yrh and pull a loop through, work 1ch, (does not count as a st) work 9dc into the ring, pull end of yarn tightly to close ring. (9 sts)
Place a stitch marker on the last of these 9 dc to mark the end of the round. Move the marker up at the end of all following rounds to help keep track of the rounds you have worked.
Continue to work in a continuous spiral, without joining each round.
Round 1: [2dc in next st] to end. (18 sts).
Round 2: [2dc in next st, 1 dc in next st] to end. (27 sts).
Round 3: [2dc in next st, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts] to end. (36 sts).
Round 4: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 5: [2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts] to end. (45 sts).
Rounds 6-7: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 8: [2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts] to end. (54 sts).
Rounds 9-11: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 12: 1dc in each of next 12sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts] 6 times, 1dc in each of next 6 sts. (60 sts).
Rounds 13-20: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 21: 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 6 sts] 6 times, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 sts. (53 sts).
Rounds 22-25: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 26: 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 sts] 6 times, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 4 sts. (46 sts).
Rounds 27-28: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 29: 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 4 sts] 6 times, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 3 sts. (39sts)
Round 30: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 31: 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 3 sts] 6 times, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts. (32 sts).
Round 32: 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts] 6 times, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in last st. (25 sts).
Stuff body while neck opening is still open. Don’t worry about stuffing the top too much as you’ll be able to fill this up later.
Round 33: 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in next st] 6 times, dc2tog over next 2 sts. (18 sts).
Round 34: 1dc in each st to end.
Shape head
Round 35: 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [2dc in next st] 12 times, 1dc in next st. (30 sts).
Remove marker. Work 1dc in each of next 2 sts and pm on last st worked to mark new end of round at back of head.
Round 36: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 37: 1dc in each of next 10 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts] 3 times, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 10 sts. (34 sts).
Round 38: 1dc in each of next 10 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3 dc] 3 times, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 11 sts. (38 sts).
Round 39: 1dc in each of next 11 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 4 dc] 3 times, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 11 sts. (42 sts).
Rounds 40-41: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 42: 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, [1dc in each of next 5 sts, 2dc in next st] 6 times, 1dc in each of next 3 sts. (49 sts).
Rounds 43-45: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 46: 1dc in each of next 8 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 dc] 3 times, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts] 3 times, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 8 sts. (41 sts).
Round 47: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 48: 1dc in each of next 12 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in next st, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in next st, dc2tog over next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 12 sts. (37 sts).
Round 49: 1dc in each of next 12 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts] twice, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts] twice, 1dc in each of next 12 sts. (33 sts).
Round 50: 1dc in each of next 12 sts, [dc2tog over next 2 sts] twice, 1dc in next st, [dc2tog over next 2 sts] twice, 1dc in each of next 12 sts. (29 sts).
Mark 12th and 17th sts on previous round as location for toy eyes (if using).
Rounds 51-52: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 53: 1dc in next st, [dc2tog over each next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts] to end. (22 sts)
Finish stuffing body, paying particular attention to adding stuffing to the neck otherwise the head will wobble if the neck is stuffed insufficiently. Stuff head and insert toy eyes at marked locations on the head or embroider eyes with black yarn. When the top of the head is finished it will be impossible to do any further work on the inside of the body as the opening will be too small.
Round 54: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 55: 1dc in next st, [dc2tog over each next 2 sts, 1dc in next st] to end. (15 sts).
Round 56: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 57: 1dc in next st, [dc2tog over next 2 sts] to end. (8 sts).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Place marker on 4th st of last round, this marker marks the position of centre top of head. Stuff top of head and oversew a horizontal seam across the top, matching up marked stitch to where the yarn has been fastened off at the end of the last round.
Run a row of running stitch from centre top of head down the body front to centre of foundation ring at the base of the body. If you have trouble keeping this straight, use a length of washi tape to mark a straight line down the centre front of body. The front of the body can be identified by the position of the eyes.
Arms (make 2)
* Foundation round: With 3.5mm hook and A, make a ring of yarn as follows: wind yarn round index finger of left hand to form a ring, insert hook into ring, yrh and pull a loop through, work 1ch, (does not count as a st) work 7dc into the ring, pull end of yarn tightly to close ring. (7 sts)
Place a stitch marker on the last of these 7 dc to mark the end of the round. Move the marker up at the end of all following rounds to help keep track of the rounds you have worked.
Continue to work in a continuous spiral, without joining each round.
Round 1: [2dc in next st] to end. (14 sts). *
Rounds 2-6: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 7: Dc2tog over next 2 sts, [1dc in next st] to end. (13 sts).
Rounds 8-9: 1dc in each st to end.
Rep last 3 rounds once more. (12 sts).
Fasten off.
Legs (make 2)
Work as given from * to * of arms.
Round 2: [2dc in next st, 1dc in next st] to end. (21 sts).
Rounds 3-7: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 7: [1dc in each of next 5 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts] 3 times. (18 sts).
Round 8: 1dc in each st to end.
Round 9: [1dc in each of next 4 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts] 3 times. (15 sts).
Fasten off.
To make up body
Using photo as a guide, lightly stuff arms and oversew to body 5 rounds down from neck shaping, approximately 5cm apart at body front. Stuff feet firmly and sew to body front 5cm down from where arms are stitched, approximately 4cm apart, equidistant from front body centre. If needed, work a loose stitch between the eyes and neck in A to make the nose shape more pronounced.
Spines
Worked in rows from top of head to base of body.
Foundation row: With 6.5mm hook and B, make 2ch, turn.
Row 1: 1dc in second ch from hook, turn. (1 st).
Row 2: 1ch (does not count as a st throughout), 3dc in st at base of ch, turn. (3 sts).
Row 3: 1ch, 2dc in st at base of ch, 1dc in next st, 2dc in last st, turn. (5 sts).
Row 4: 1ch, 2dc in st at base of ch, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in last st, turn. (7 sts).
Row 5: 1ch, 2dc in st at base of ch, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 2dc in last st, turn. (9 sts).
Row 6: 1ch, 2dc in st at base of ch, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, 2dc in last st, turn. (11 sts).
Row 7: 1ch, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 9 sts, 2dc in next st, turn. (13 sts).
Row 8: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, turn.
Row 9: 1ch, 2dc in st at base of ch, 1dc in each st to last st, 2dc in last st, turn. (15 sts).
Rep last row, 3 times more. (21 sts).
Shape shoulders
Row 13: Slst in each of first 2 sts, make 1ch (does not count as a st), 1dc in each of next 17 sts, turn, leaving rem 2 sts unworked. (17 sts).
Rows 14-15: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, turn.
Row 16: As Row 9. (19 sts).
Row 17: 1ch, [1dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in next st] 4 times, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, turn. (23 sts).
Rows 18-21: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, turn.
Row 22: 1ch, [1dc in each of next 3 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts] 4 times, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, turn. (19 sts).
Rows 23-24: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, turn.
Row 25: 1ch, [1dc in each of next 2 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts] 4 times, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, turn. (15 sts).
Row 26: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, turn.
Row 27: 1ch, [1dc in next st, dc2tog over next 2 sts] 5 times, turn. (10 sts).
Row 28: 1ch, [dc2tog over next 2 sts] 5 times. (5 sts).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
With brown embroidery thread and lining up lower spines edge to top of head as shown, and upper spines edge to base of body, stitch spines in place tightly against back of arms and legs, tucking shoulder shaping into the body just above the arms. Stuff lightly before finishing off.
Ears (make 2)
Worked in rows from top of ears downwards.
Foundation row: With 3.5mm hook and A, make 6ch, turn.
Row 1: 1dc in second ch from hook, tr3tog over next 3 ch, 1dc in last ch, fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Pin ears in place at top of face just below spines edge and stitch in place. With black embroidery thread, stitch concentric rings of chain stitch to form a nose and a curved line of straight stitches for the mouth. Fasten off.
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