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How to Knit Your Own Adorable Hedgehog Toy (Free Knitting Pattern)

Updated: Aug 1

Knit Hedgehog Toy

Welcome to the cozy corner of our crafting blog! Today, we're diving into a delightful project perfect for novice and seasoned knitters: knitting your hedgehog toy. With its soft spikes and charming little face, this adorable critter will become a favorite companion or a cherished gift.


In this post, I'll share detailed instructions to ensure your hedgehog turns out right, regardless of your skill level. Whether you want to expand your knitting repertoire or create something irresistibly cute, our knitted hedgehog project is the perfect way to indulge your crafty side.


You can download the ad-free knitting pattern here for a low price (CA $1)!





Skill Level

Beginner


Finished Size

13 cm / 5 1/8 in


Instruction of Knitting a Hedgehog Toy

This charming hedgehog toy is crafted by first knitting an egg-shaped body. The body is knit using needles in bigger sizes and fluffy teddy yarn to mimic the texture of quills. Once the body is complete, the head, ears, and other features are added using smaller needles and cotton yarn to provide a contrasting texture.


Needles

4 double-pointed needles 6” (15 cm) in 2 sizes


Needle Size

US 6 (4.00 mm) / US 3 (3.25 mm)



Yarn

(Medium) 100% Polyester (50 g/ 65 m/ 71 yds) *I used "Go Handmade - Teddy yarn here"

(DK) 100% Cotton (25g ~ 57.5 m)


Yarn Amount

100% Polyester: 25 g

100% Cotton: 3 g (Brown) / 6 g (Beige)


Gauge

Body: 18 sts and 23 rnds = 4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm

Other parts: 26 sts and 30 rnds = 4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm


Abbreviations

CO      cast on

rnd(s)  round(s)

st(s)     stitch(es)

RS       right side

WS     wrong side

k         knit

p         purl

m1     make 1 stitch

m1L make 1 stitch left

m1R make 1 stitch right

k2tog  knit 2 stitches together

ssk slip, slip, and knit



Body

Use US 6 (4.00 mm) needles, and knit with your fluffy yarn.

Circular CO 12 sts on 3 needles. *Always use a working needle to knit.


Rnd 1: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 2: *k2, m1*, repeat * (18 sts)

Rnd 3: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 4: *k3, m1*, repeat * (24 sts)

Rnd 5: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 6: *k4, m1*, repeat * (30 sts)

Rnd 7: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 8: *k5, m1*, repeat * (36 sts)

Rnd 9: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 10: *k6, m1*, repeat * (42 sts)

Rnd 11: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 12: *k7, m1*, repeat * (48 sts)



Knit until the height reaches 11cm (measured from the top). *Approx. 20 rounds


Decrease rnd 1: *k6, k2tog*, repeat * (42 sts)

Rnd 2: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 3: *k5, k2tog*, repeat * (36 sts)

Rnd 4: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 5: *k4, k2tog*, repeat * (30 sts)

Rnd 6: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 7: *k3, k2tog*, repeat * (24 sts)

Rnd 8: knit 1 rnd



Stuff the body now, then continue knitting.


Rnd 9: *k2, k2tog*, repeat * (18 sts)

Rnd 10: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 11: *k1, k2tog*, repeat * (12 sts)

Rnd 12: knit 1 rnd

Stuff more. Gather bind-off.


Knit Hedgehog Toy


Head

Use US 3 (3.25 mm) needles and beige color cotton yarn.

CO 36 sts, join in the round.

Rnd 1-3: knit 3 rnds

Rnd 4: ssk, k2, ssk, k2, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, ssk, k6 (30 sts)

Rnd 5: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 6: ssk, k1, ssk, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k6, ssk, k5 (24 sts)

Rnd 7: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 8: *k2tog, k2*, repeat * (18 sts)

Rnd 9: knit 1 rnd

Rnd 10: *k2tog, k1*, repeat * (12 sts)

Rnd 11-14: knit 4 rnds

Gather bind-off.


Knit Hedgehog Toy


Ears

Use US 3 (3.25 mm) needles and beige color cotton yarn.

CO 12 sts, join in the round.

Rnd 1-3: knit 3 rnds

Rnd 4: k2tog, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, ssk (8 sts)

Gather bind-off.


Knit Hedgehog Toy


Belly Patch

This is knit flat. Use US 3 (3.25 mm) needles and beige color cotton yarn.

CO 14 sts

Row 1(WS): purl

Row 2(RS): k1, m1R, k12, m1L, k1 (16 sts)

Row 3: purl

Row 4: k1, m1R, k14, m1L, k1 (18 sts)

Row 5: purl

Row 6-11: knit 6 rows of stockinette stitch

Row 12: k1, k2tog, k12, ssk, k1 (16 sts)

Row 13: purl

Row 14: k1, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1 (14 sts)

Row 15: purl

Row 16: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1 (12 sts)

Row 17: purl

Row 18: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1 (10 sts)

Row 19: purl

Row 20: knit and bind off.


Knit Hedgehog Toy


Hands and feet

Use US 3 (3.25 mm) needles and brown color cotton yarn.

CO 12 sts, join in the round.

Rnd 1-4: knit 4 rnds

Rnd 5: k2tog, k2 (9 sts)

Rnd 6: knit 1 rnd

Gather bind-off.


Knit Hedgehog Toy


Finishing

Stuff the head before sewing it on the body. * If you use safety eyes for this hedgehog toy, install them now.




Then, sew the belly patch right below the head.

Knit Hedgehog Toy

Tips

You may see the fluffy yarn pressed along the sewing line. Use a tapestry needle to pick them up.




Fold the ears, and sew them above the head. Stuff all the hands and feet, and sew them up.

Knit Hedgehog Toy

I made a simple embroidery for the eyes and nose at the end.

Knit Hedgehog Toy

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