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Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern
4.1★ Rating
4-5 Hours Time Needed
1.8K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic knitting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🐰

Whimsical Buddy

Playful characters full of personality, designed to spark imagination and become cherished playtime favorites.

About This Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

Herbie Hedgehog is a delightful amigurumi pattern that combines soft velvet yarn textures with adorable spike details to create a charming woodland friend. The pattern uses a continuous spiral technique with detailed face shaping instructions to give Herbie his characteristic sweet expression. This project features unique spike construction that creates a realistic hedgehog appearance while remaining cuddly and soft. The finished hedgehog stands at 6 inches tall and wide, making it the perfect size for little hands to hold or as a decorative piece for any room.

Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern includes comprehensive instructions for creating Herbie's distinctive spiky coat using a special chain technique, along with detailed guidance for face shaping, ear placement, and limb attachment. Visual step-by-step photos accompany each major section to ensure your success throughout the entire project.

Why You'll Love This Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this Herbie Hedgehog pattern because it combines simple techniques with impressive results! The spike-making process is surprisingly easy once you get into the rhythm, and watching Herbie's personality come to life as you add each feature is incredibly rewarding. I appreciate how the pattern includes detailed face-shaping instructions that give Herbie such an endearing expression—those little pulled eyes make all the difference! The combination of soft velvet yarn for the body and fluffy texture for the spikes creates the most huggable hedgehog you've ever seen. Plus, the finished size is absolutely perfect for gifting or keeping as your own crafting companion on your desk!

Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with different color combinations for Herbie! Instead of the classic beige and brown, try making a fantasy hedgehog with pastel colors—imagine soft lavender for the body with pink or mint green spikes for a magical woodland friend. You could also create a seasonal Herbie by using autumn colors like burnt orange and deep burgundy for fall, or winter white with silver-gray spikes for a snowy hedgehog.

For a more realistic look, I sometimes blend two shades of brown yarn together for the spikes to create natural color variation and depth. You can also adjust Herbie's expression by changing the eye placement—setting them slightly wider apart creates a more innocent look, while closer eyes give a clever, mischievous appearance.

If you want to make Herbie even more special, consider adding tiny accessories like a miniature scarf made from embroidery floss, a little felt leaf to hold, or even embroidered flowers on the body. I've also made baby Herbies by using sport weight yarn throughout with smaller hooks, creating adorable 3-inch versions perfect for keychains or ornaments. The spike pattern works beautifully at any size, so don't be afraid to scale up or down based on your yarn choice and vision for your perfect hedgehog friend!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the face shaping steps which results in flat, expressionless eyes—always take time to pull and shape the eye area for that adorable look ✗ Making the spikes too loose or too tight—maintain consistent tension and use the smaller hook size as specified to achieve the perfect spike texture ✗ Not stuffing firmly enough before closing the head which causes a saggy appearance—stuff generously after round seventeen and continue adding as you decrease ✗ Placing the ears too far from the spikes creating gaps—position ears directly against the spike line on rounds four and five for a seamless natural look ✗ Rushing through the spike framing step which leads to uneven spike coverage—take time to mark the guideline carefully for professional looking results

Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

Create your own adorable Herbie Hedgehog with this charming amigurumi crochet pattern! This delightful hedgehog features a soft beige body, fluffy brown spikes, and the sweetest little face that will melt your heart. Perfect for snuggling or displaying, Herbie measures approximately 6 inches and makes a wonderful gift for nature lovers and animal enthusiasts. With detailed step-by-step instructions and helpful visual guides, you'll bring this precious woodland creature to life stitch by stitch.

Intermediate 4-5 Hours

Materials Needed for Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    60g bulky size 6 velvet yarn in beige (Colour A) - recommended Baby Snuggle brand
  • 02
    100g super bulky size 6 velvet yarn in Teddy Bear brown (Colour B) - recommended Baby Snuggle brand
  • 03
    5 yards medium size 4 yarn in brown (Colour C)
  • 04
    5 yards medium size 4 yarn in black (Colour D)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    5.5mm crochet hook
  • 02
    3.5mm crochet hook
  • 03
    Darning needle
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Fabric pins
  • 06
    Stitch marker
  • 07
    Fiber fill (approximately 24oz)
  • 08
    14mm safety eyes
  • 09
    Safety nose

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— HEAD/BODY :

Info :

Use 5.5mm hook with bulky yarn in Colour A

Round 1 :

mr, sc 8 (8)

Round 2 :

[inc] x8 (16)

Round 3 :

[sc, inc] x8 (24)

Round 4 :

sc 24 (24)

Round 5 :

[sc 2, inc] x8 (32)

Round 6-15 :

sc 32 (10 rounds) (32)

Round 16 :

[sc 2, dec] x8 (24)

Round 17 :

sc 24 (24)

Infos :

Stuff with fiber fill after row 17 and continue to stuff every row until complete. Place eyes between rounds 9 and 10 with 4-5 stitches in between.

Round 18 :

[sc, dec] x8 (16)

Round 19 :

[dec] x8 (8)

Info :

Slst to next stitch. Weave through outside loops of 8 remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Then tie off and weave in ends

— SHAPING THE FACE :

Info :

Using darning needle and Colour D Yarn, insert into the top inner corner of one eye

Info :

Push the darning needle over from the top of eye one to the top of eye two. You should now have one strand of yarn hanging from both eyes

Info :

Take the darning needle and now insert one strand into the bottom inner eye

Info :

Push the needle through the body to the back of the head

Info :

Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other eye. Then tie the two strands together once you have pulled the eyes to their desired shape. Weave in ends

— NOSE :

Info :

Use 5.5mm hook with medium yarn in Colour A. Place safety nose on the top of round 1

Round 1 :

mr, sc 4 (4)

Round 2 :

[sc, inc] x2 (6)

Round 3 :

[sc 2, inc] x2 (8)

Info :

Slst and tie off. Leave 12 inch strand of yarn to sew

Infos :

Using fabric pins, place nose on round 9-12 centered between the eyes. Sew on using a darning needle. Once sewn halfway on, place a small amount of fiber fill if required. If no safety nose you can also embroider a nose in the same place

— EYEBROWS :

Info :

Using darning needle and Colour C Yarn, insert the needle into the top of round 9, one stitch over from the top of the eye

Info :

Then insert the needle 2 rounds up and about 1-2 stitches over so it's in line with the top centre of the eye

Info :

Push the needle over and repeat for the other eye

— SPIKE FRAMING :

Info :

Using a darning needle and any colour medium yarn, insert the needle into the bottom of round 3 centered between the eyes

Info :

Continue around the head marking the area that the spikes will start. You want to be about 2-3 stitches from the corner of the eyebrows, 5 stitches from the nose. On the bottom it should be on the bottom of round 16

— SPIKES :

Info :

Use 3.5mm hook with bulky yarn in Colour B. Make a slip knot on your smaller 3.5mm hook

Info :

Using the spike framing as a reference, insert the needle in the top center point that we placed on the bottom of round 3. Make a slst

Info :

Chain 4. Skip the first chain and place one slst in each of the remaining 3 chains

Info :

Then on the head, skip one stitch and place a slst into the next stitch over

Info :

Repeat steps 3 and 4 all the way around the head in a spiral until the entire head is covered

Info :

Once the first spiral is done, work the second and subsequent spirals the same way as close to the first as possible to avoid gapping between rows. You also want to try and offset the spikes so it looks more full. Remove spike framing when done

— EARS (Make 2) :

Info :

Use 5.5mm hook with bulky yarn in Colour A

Round 1 :

mr, sc 4 (4)

Round 2 :

[inc] x4 (8)

Info :

Slst and tie off. Leave 12 inch strand of yarn to sew on

Infos :

Pinch ear in half and using a darning needle, sew one end together. Using fabric pins, attach ears to round 4 and 5 of the head, directly against the spikes. Using a darning needle, sew the ears on

— LEGS (Make 2) :

Info :

Use 5.5mm hook with bulky yarn in Colour A

Row 1 :

Slip knot, ch 5 (5)

Row 2 :

Skip first chain, sc in the remaining 4 ch and then 4sc in bottom 4 ch (8)

Info :

Slst and tie off. Leave 12 inch strand of yarn to sew on

Infos :

Using fabric pins, attach the feet to the bottom of the head directly against the spikes with 2-3 stitches in between. Using a darning needle, sew on both feet. If you want to sew down the feet more, insert the needle 2 rows above where you sewed the foot on. Then push the needle down one stitch over. This will secure the foot in place. Tie off and weave in ends

— ARMS (Make 2) :

Info :

Use 5.5mm hook with bulky yarn in Colour A

Row 1 :

Slip knot, ch 4 (4)

Row 2 :

Skip first chain, sc in the top 3 chs and then 3 sc in bottom 3 ch (6)

Info :

Slst and tie off. Leave 12 inch strand of yarn to sew on

Infos :

Using fabric pins, attach arms to round 11 and 12 right against the spines. Using a darning needle, sew on arms. Tie off and weave in ends

Assembly Instructions

  • Complete the head/body piece first and stuff firmly with fiber fill after round 17, continuing to add stuffing as you decrease rounds.
  • Shape the face by threading yarn through the inner corners of the eyes to create an indented, expressive look following the detailed instructions.
  • Create and attach the nose piece to rounds 9-12, centered between the eyes, adding a small amount of stuffing for dimension.
  • Embroider eyebrows using brown yarn, positioning them 2 rounds above the eyes for a characteristic hedgehog expression.
  • Mark the spike framing guideline carefully before beginning the spike work to ensure even coverage around the head.
  • Work the spikes in spirals using the smaller hook, creating multiple layers offset from each other for a full, realistic appearance.
  • Attach ears to rounds 4-5 directly against the spike line, pinching them in half before sewing for a natural folded look.
  • Sew legs to the bottom of the body against the spikes with 2-3 stitches between them, securing them down with additional stitches if desired.
  • Attach arms to rounds 11-12 right against the spines on each side of the body for proper proportion.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use a stitch marker to track the beginning and end of each round when working in continuous spiral
  • 💡Maintain tighter tension throughout the project to prevent stuffing from showing through stitches
  • 💡The spike-making process requires patience—work multiple layers close together and offset for the fullest appearance
  • 💡Pin all pieces in place with fabric pins before sewing to ensure proper positioning and symmetry
  • 💡Different yarn brands and tension may create different sizes—the pattern creates approximately 6x6 inch hedgehog as written
  • 💡Watch the recommended YouTube tutorial for help creating the oval shapes needed for arms and legs
  • 💡Keep extra fiber fill handy as the head/body requires substantial stuffing for proper shape and structure

This adorable Herbie Hedgehog pattern was designed to capture the charm of woodland creatures in a huggable amigurumi form! The unique spike construction technique creates a realistic yet soft texture that makes Herbie perfect for both play and display. With detailed face-shaping instructions and helpful visual guides throughout, you'll create a hedgehog full of personality and charm. Whether you're making Herbie as a gift for an animal lover or adding him to your own collection, this pattern delivers satisfying results that showcase your crochet skills beautifully. �hedgehog🧶 Happy crocheting! 🧵✨

You ask,

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FAQs

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

While you can experiment with different yarn weights, keep in mind that it will significantly change the finished size. The pattern is designed for bulky size 6 velvet yarn which creates the soft, cuddly texture. If using different weights, adjust your hook size accordingly and expect size variations.

How do I prevent gaps between the spikes?

The key is working multiple spiral layers of spikes as close together as possible and offsetting each spike from the previous row. Don't rush this step—take time to position each spike carefully, and work additional spirals until you achieve full coverage without visible gaps.

Can I skip the face shaping steps?

While technically optional, the face shaping is what gives Herbie his adorable, expressive look. Skipping this step will result in flat, protruding safety eyes without character. The shaping only takes a few minutes and makes a dramatic difference in the final appearance.

What if I don't have a safety nose?

The pattern includes an alternative—you can embroider a nose directly onto the face in the same position (rounds 9-12) using your medium weight yarn. Use a triangular or oval shape with satin stitches for a cute embroidered nose.

How do I make the arms and legs oval-shaped?

The pattern recommends watching a specific YouTube tutorial for creating ovals in crochet. Essentially, you chain the specified number, work single crochets along one side, then continue working along the bottom of the chain to create an oval shape. Practice once or twice if you're new to this technique.

Why do I need two different hook sizes?

The larger 5.5mm hook is used for the body parts with bulky yarn, while the smaller 3.5mm hook is specifically for creating the spikes. Using the smaller hook for spikes creates tighter, more defined spike texture that stands up properly rather than flopping over.