Happy Hedgehog Free Crochet Pattern

There are two things I can’t resist around this time of year when it comes to my crochet projects: fur yarn and buffalo plaid (prime examples: here, here, here, here, here, and here! Phew.)

So it’s probably a surprise to absolutely no one that I have another fur/plaid combo project for you today. But isn’t he just the sweetest!? The little nose poking out over his scarf is too much.

This little guy easily fits in the palm of your hand so he could absolutely be used as an ornament if you wanted! He would make a great addition to a woodland themed tree.

If you are tight on time and don’t want to crochet the buffalo plaid scarf, you can work the scarf in any solid colour of your choice or simply use some ribbon or fabric (buffalo plaid or otherwise) to create the scarf for a quicker project.

Let’s get into it!

The Details

As usual, this pattern is made in the same style as my Ragdoll patterns; separate pieces worked in flat rows and then joined together to give them that unique 2-D look. This project has a total of 7 pieces.

The finished measurements are approximately 11.5cm/4.5″ tall.

Notes:

1. This Happy Hedgie is constructed by working two panels in rows and then whip stitching around the panels to join them. The piece is then stuffed.
2. The scarf is made up of two separate pieces: Scarf #1 (the horizontal piece) and Scarf #2 (the fringe). Scarf #1 is stitched onto the front panel before assembly of the panels. Scarf #2 is added at the end, after assembly.
3. The snout is worked in continuous rounds and stitched onto the front panel before assembly.
4. The ears are worked into a magic ring but not joined. The ears are stitched onto the piece after assembly of the panels.
5. Ch 1 at the end of each row does not count as a stitch.
6. The scarf incorporates the tapestry crochet technique. Read below for more details on how to work colour changes in this pattern.

Colour Changes

When working tapestry crochet, you will have three skeins of yarn attached to your project at the same time (one black, one red, one burgundy). You will then simply carry the yarn across the back of the panel. Do not crochet the unused yarn inside the stitch; always carry it on the back. Always carry the yarn on the wrong side.

For a smooth transition between colours, work the colour changes as follows: when you reach the last st of the current colour, work only half the stitch (i.e. insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop – 2 loops on hook) but do not yarn over and pull through to finish the stitch. Instead, yarn over with the new colour and pull through both loops on the hook with the new colour to finish the last st of the current colour. Then continue on with the first st of the new colour. Drop the working yarn of the previous colour on the WS of the panel. You will pick this up again when you need it.

Use this technique for the last stitch of a row as well if the first st of the next row is a new colour. Your chain 1 should be in the new colour.

Let’s get started! (Or Pin/Shop for later!)

If you’d prefer a downloadable or printable version of this pattern, an inexpensive, formatted, and ad-free PDF can be purchased HERE or through the “Shop It” button above, or on Ravelry! You can also find the pattern on Ribblr!

Materials:

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• Hooks:
  • 2.75mm hook for the scarf (I use THESE hooks!);
  • 3.25mm hook for front panel;
  • 3.75mm hook for back fur panel;
• Yarn:
  • For the scarf – Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 in Color 09 (Black, 1 skein)(A), Color 60 (Burgundy, 1 skein)(B), Color 86 (Red, 1 skein)(C) (or any sport or fine weight yarn);
  • For the front panel – any worsted weight yarn in tan/brown (less than 50g);
  • For the back panel – Lion Brand Go for Faux in Bear (less than one skein);
• 10mm Safety eyes;
• Black crochet thread, size 5;
• Eight stitch markers (bobby pins work a treat!);
• Stuffing;
• Tapestry needle.

Terms and Stitches:

Ch – Chain

MR – Magic Ring

Slst – Slip stitch

Sc – Single Crochet

Inc – Increase. Work a regular sc increase

Dec – Decrease. Work a regular sc decrease

Hdc – Half double crochet

Dc – Double crochet

RS – Right side

WS – Wrong side

Pattern

Body Panel (make 1 in worsted weight yarn using 3.25mm hook and one in fur yarn using 3.75mm hook):

Row 1: Ch 10, starting in sc ch from hook, sc in each ch across (9 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 2: Inc, sc 7, inc (11 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Inc, sc 9, inc (13 sts), ch 1, turn.

Rows 4-5: Sc in each st (13 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 6: Inc, sc 11, inc (15 sts), ch 1, turn.

Rows 7-11: Sc in each st (15 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 12: Dec, sc 11, dec (13 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 13: Sc in each st (13 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 14: Dec, sc 9, dec (11 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 15: Sc in each st (11 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 16: Dec, sc 7, dec (9 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 17: Dec, sc 5, dec (7 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 18: Dec, sc 3, dec (5 sts), ch 1, turn.

Fasten off. The front panel should measure approximately 8.5cm/3.5″ tall and the back (fur) panel should measure approximately 13cm/5″ tall. The back panel will be about 1.5x bigger than the front panel.

Scarf #1 (make 1):

Use a 2.75mm hook.

Row 1:  With A, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, with B sc in next 2 chs, with A sc in next 2 chs (6 sts), ch 1, turn. 

Row 2:  With A sc 2, with B sc 2, with A sc 2 (6 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 3: With B sc 2, with C sc 2, with B sc 2 (6 sts), ch 1, turn.

Row 4: Repeat row 3.

Rows 5-6: Repeat row 2.

Rows 7-8: Repeat row 3.

Rows 9-20: Repeat rows 5 to 8.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Set aside. If your scarf is not long enough to cover the front panel horizontally at row 11, work more rows as needed.

Scarf #2 (make 1):

Use a 2.75mm hook.

Rows 1-14: Repeat rows 5 to 8 of Scarf #1.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Add black fringe by taking two pieces of yarn at once and folding in half. Pull the loop through a stitch at the bottom of the scarf. Weave the ends through the loop and pull tight. Trim once all the fringe is attached.

Ears (make 2):

With worsted weight yarn and 3.25mm hook, make a magic ring. 

Rnd 1:  Work 6 hdc into the MR.

Do not join. Pull tightly to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Snout (make 1):

With worsted weight yarn and 3.25mm hook, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: Work 4 sc into the MR (4 sts).

Rnd 2: *Sc in first st, inc in next st, repeat from * once more (6 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. With black crochet thread and a tapestry needle, stitch around one of the stitches of round 1 (i.e. up through the centre of the snout, *out the centre of the MR, down through the top of the stitch, repeat from * several times until a triangle-like shape forms.)

Move on to assembly below!

Assembly:

• Insert 10mm safety eyes between rows 13 and 14 of the front panel, counting 2 sts in from each side.
• Stitch snout onto the front panel between the eyes between rows 11 and 13.
• Stitch each side of Scarf #1 horizontally to the front panel underneath the snout, i.e. each short side is stitched down but the scarf is still detached on the top and bottom. (I forgot to take a picture of this step during actual assembly so the bottom photo is illustrating using a small swatch in place of the front body panel).

• Place a stitch marker at the middle-top, middle-bottom, and middle-sides of both panels.

• Place both Panels together (the worsted panel should be centred on top of the back panel). With a tapestry needle and a long length of fur yarn, whip stitch the panels together, starting at the middle-top stitch (where you’ve placed stitch markers). As you stitch around, ensure the stitch markers on each panel line up with each other. The back fur panel will naturally curve to create a dome as you stitch it around the front panel.
• When only a small portion of the panels remains open, stuff lightly. Finish stitching panels together. Weave ends.
• Using your fingers, fluff the fur yarn around the edge of the front panel if needed.
• Stitch the ears onto the front panel. Weave in ends.
• Insert Scarf #2 underneath Scarf #1. Stitch in place if desired.

Attach a hanging loop to the top if you’d like to use it as an ornament.

You’re done! Happy crocheting!

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