Crochet Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern for Beginners

Looking for something adorable to crochet? This crochet hedgehog is perfect! It’s small, soft, and looks absolutely adorable with its fluffy spikes. Whether you’re making it as a cuddly toy, a sweet addition to your room decor, or even as a thoughtful handmade gift, this hedgehog is sure to bring smiles to everyone’s face.

Crochet Hedgehog Pattern

To make this crochet hedgehog, you’ll start with simple shapes like the head, body, and paws, then add its signature spikes to complete the look. The best part? You can customize its colors and spike length to match your style! All you’ll need are some yarn (three shades of brown work beautifully), a crochet hook, and a few basic tools to bring this little hedgehog to life.

Credit Ambros Crochet

Materials & Tools Needed

• Yarn: 3 shades of brown yarn (light, medium, and dark)
  • Lightest shade: Used for the body.
  • Middle shade: Used for head and ears.
  • Darkest shade: Used for the spikes.
• Crochet Hook: 3 mm (or size to match your yarn’s weight)
• Safety Eyes:
  • 2 x 12 mm safety eyes (for eyes)
  • 1 x 12 mm (or 10 mm) safety eye (for the nose; tutorial uses 10 mm for convenience).
• Toy Stuffing
• Tapestry Needle
• Scissors
• Pins: To aid in assembly and placement.

Stitches & Techniques Used

• Magic Ring
• Single Crochet (sc)
• Increase (inc): Make 2 single crochets in one stitch.
• Decrease (dec): Single-crochet two stitches together.
• Color Changes
• Fasten Off: Secure and cut the yarn when finishing parts.

Step-by-Step Detailed Crochet Instructions

The pattern is broken into separate components. Complete each part using the instructions below.

1. Head (Middle Brown Shade)

Rounds:

1. Make a magic ring. Crochet 6 single crochets into the ring. (6 stitches)
2. Make 1 increase in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
3. Single crochet 1 in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
4. 1 single crochet, 1 increase, repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
5. Single crochet in each stitch around. (18 stitches)
6. 2 single crochets, 1 increase, repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)
7. Single crochet in each stitch around. (24 stitches)

Adding the Nose:
Place the 12 mm (or 10 mm) safety eye where the magic ring was closed. Secure it well.

8. 1 increase in the first 12 stitches, then 1 single crochet in the next 12 stitches. (36 stitches)

Color Change to Lightest Brown Shade:

• Use a preferred method for the color change. You can follow either of the two techniques mentioned in the scraped content for smooth transitions.

9–10. Single crochet 1 in each stitch around. (36 stitches)
11. 1 single crochet, 1 increase, repeat 12 times in the first 24 stitches. Then single crochet in the last 12 stitches. (48 stitches)
12–17. Single crochet in each stitch around. (6 rounds total; 48 stitches per round).

Adding Safety Eyes (Optional Shaping Before Round 18):

• Insert the 12 mm safety eyes between Rounds 9–10. Place 12 stitches apart.
• Optional: Add shaping by pulling the eyes slightly inward using the yarn tails.

18. 6 single crochets, 1 decrease, repeat 6 times. (42 stitches)
19. Single crochet in each stitch around. (42 stitches)
20. 5 single crochets, 1 decrease, repeat 6 times. (36 stitches)
21. 4 single crochets, 1 decrease, repeat 6 times. (30 stitches)
22. 3 single crochets, 1 decrease, repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)
23. 2 single crochets, 1 decrease, repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
24. 1 single crochet, 1 decrease, repeat 6 times. (12 stitches)
25. 6 decreases (6 stitches).

Fasten Off:
Leave a short tail and use the tapestry needle to weave through the remaining 6 stitches for a smooth finish. Tuck and secure the tail inside the piece.

2. Ears (Make 2 | Middle Brown Shade)

Rounds:

1. Make a magic ring. Crochet 6 single crochets into the ring. (6 stitches)
2. Increase in every stitch around. (12 stitches)
3. 1 single crochet, 1 increase, repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)
4. Single crochet in each stitch around. (18 stitches)
5. 2 single crochets, 1 increase, repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)
6. Single crochet in each stitch around. (24 stitches).

Fasten Off: Leave a long tail for sewing.

3. Body (Lightest Brown Shade)

Rounds:

1. Make a magic ring, then chain 13 stitches.
   • Work back down the chain with 1 single crochet in each of the next 11 stitches.
   • Add 3 single crochets to the last stitch.
   • Turn and continue working on the opposite side of the chain with 1 single crochet into the next 10 stitches.
   • End with 2 single crochets in the last chain. (26 stitches total in the round).
2. 1 increase, 10 single crochets, 1 increase, 1 single crochet, repeat around. (32 stitches)
3. 1 single crochet, 1 increase, 11 single crochets, repeat around. (34 stitches)
4. Continue increasing evenly until you create a rounded oval body. After approximately Round 14, begin decreasing evenly down to close and form the base shape. (e.g., X single crochets, 1 dec)

Fasten Off and Stuff:
Ensure the body is stuffed firmly before closing. Secure the tail.

4. Paws (Make 4 | Lightest Brown Shade)

Rounds:

1. Make a magic ring and crochet 6 single crochets inside. (6 stitches)
2. Increase in every stitch around. (12 stitches)
   3–8. Single crochet in each stitch around. (6 rounds; 12 stitches per round)

Stuff the Paws: Do not overstuff to maintain a flexible shape.

Fasten Off & Flatten:
Flatten the top opening and secure by weaving the tail into the body upon assembly.

5. Spikes (Make Dark Brown Shade)

• Cut multiple strands of yarn (approximately 15 cm in length).
• Attach using a latch-hook method:
  • Insert hook between stitches of the body, pull the yarn through, and create a knot by yarning over.
  • Alternate between single strands and double strands of yarn to keep the spikes from overcrowding the piece.
• Continue covering the back of the head and body with spikes.

Optional Fringing: Trim the edges into a neat and even shape. For the front (near the ears), spikes can be shorter for a fringe-like effect.

Assembly

1. Attach Ears:
   • Pin the ears approximately 3 rounds from the safety eyes (or 5 from the color change).
   • Sew securely using the tapestry needle.
2. Attach Paws:
   • Position 2 paws near the front of the body, ensuring symmetry. Sew securely.
   • Attach the other 2 paws toward the back using the same method.
3. Attach Head to Body:
   • Align the back seams of the body and head. Pin in place for stability.
   • Sew securely around the base of the head.
4. Check Finishing Details:
   • Adjust any spikes, paws, or ear positioning.
   • Shape the nose as needed.

Video Tutorial