Heidi Hedgehog

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Meet Heidi Hedgehog. A very stylish and friendly hedgehog, and unbelievably cute.

Several months ago I had been given some James C Brett Vixen yarn - I had no idea when I would ever use it. Then it came to me, this is destined to become a hedgehog or two.

Apparently the yarn is discontinued but it is an eyelash yarn - whatever that means. Originally I had planned on a small, fit-in-the-palm-of-your-hand, made-in-no-time hedgehog. However, the yarn was rather overwhelming for the little chap, so she got bigger. She's now about 5 1/2 inches in length - life size!

I was so pleased with the end result that I have copied the pattern here, so anyone can make a cute friend for themselves.

HEDGEHOG PATTERN

Yarn – Double knitting oddments in beige and black. Eyelash (or novelty fur) yarn – I used James C Brett Vixen (about ¾ of a 60 metre ball used).
Hook – 3 mm and 4 mm.
Notions – toy stuffing.

PATTERN (English terms used)

English dc = US sc

Finished size – approximately 14 cm (5½ inches) in length.

Body
With beige and 3 mm hook make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc (remember this is the equivalent of US sc) into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch,, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 2 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (9 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

4th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 2 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

5th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc] 6 times, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

6th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 6 times, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc).

7th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

8th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc).

9th- 14th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

Break off beige DK yarn and join in eyelash yarn. Change to 4 mm hook.

15th round: turn (the rest of the body is worked inside-out so that the hedgehog ‘spines’ stick out), 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

16th – 20th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

21st round: 1 ch, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)
22nd – 24th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

25th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc).

26th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

27th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog, 1 dc into next 1 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

Insert stuffing at this point.

28th round: 1 ch, [2 dctog,] around, until opening is closed. Fasten off.

Using black DK, embroider face.

A nice and easy pattern, and who can resist?