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Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern
4.2★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
4.1K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet 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.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a sweet, round hedgehog with a plush velvet face and textured looped spikes. The design uses bulky velvet yarn for a soft, tactile finish and simple shaping techniques to form the face and body. Step-by-step photos and clear instructions help you place eyes, sew on the nose, and attach ears, arms, and legs for a polished finish.

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

Youll work the head and body in one piece, then add facial shaping and looped spike spirals for the signature look. The pattern includes tips for assembly and placement of features so your Herbie turns out balanced and adorable.

Why You'll Love This Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple stitches into a wonderfully tactile companion with those playful looped spikes. I enjoy how quickly the head and body come together using bulky velvet yarn, giving an immediately satisfying, plush result. The facial shaping steps make it easy to give Herbie a sweet personality with subtle embroidery and eye placement. I also love that the spike spiral technique is creative but approachable, making this project fun and a little bit addictive.

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 color for the spikes — try pastel shades for a whimsical look or deeper tones for a more realistic hedgehog.

I sometimes substitute the bulky velvet yarn for an acrylic bulky yarn to make the spikes less plush and a bit more textured.

I often change the size by using a thicker or thinner hook; using bulkier yarn and a larger hook will make a chunkier Herbie, while finer yarn makes a mini keychain version.

I add small embroidered details like freckles or a tiny mouth to give each hedgehog a unique personality.

I also like adding a tiny crocheted scarf or bow as an accessory to make a seasonal or themed Herbie.

I recommend trying different sizes of safety eyes or embroidering eyes for a softer look if the toy is for a baby.

I sometimes stitch the spikes in alternating colors to create stripes or patterns around the head for a fun visual twist.

I like to use a nylon or cotton thread for the facial shaping instead of yarn for more subtle pulls and neater finish.

I add a small felt heart or patch to the underside for a sweet personalized gift detail when giving Herbie as a present.

I encourage you to experiment with placement of ears and limbs slightly higher or lower to change the expression and posture of your finished piece.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Placing safety eyes too high or low will change the expression; measure and place eyes between rounds 9 and 10 with 4-5 stitches between them to achieve the intended look. ✗ Forgetting to stuff gradually leads to lumps or flat spots; stuff after round 17 and continue stuffing a little at a time after each row until the piece is firm and smooth. ✗ Skipping the spike framing step can cause uneven spike placement and gaps; mark the spike framing area before adding loops and follow the spiral method to keep coverage even. ✗ Not leaving long tails when tying off small pieces makes sewing them on difficult; leave a 12 inch strand of yarn on ears, legs, and nose to allow for easy attachment. ✗ Using inconsistent tension when working loop spikes will create gaps; try to keep your tension consistent and work subsequent spirals close to the first to avoid gapping. ✗ Ignoring stitch markers during continuous spiral work can cause lost counts; place a stitch marker at the start of each round to maintain the correct stitch count.

Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

Make an adorable Herbie Hedgehog using soft velvet bulky yarn and a fun looped spike technique. This pattern guides you through shaping the face, adding safety eyes and nose, and creating the fluffy spikes for a charming handmade toy. Youll love how tactile and huggable this little hedgehog becomes with simple techniques and clear photos. Perfect as a gift or cozy decor piece.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Herbie Hedgehog Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Colour A: 60g bulky size 6 velvet yarn (I used Baby Snuggle in beige)
  • 02
    Colour B: 100g super bulky size 6 velvet yarn (I used Baby Snuggle in Teddy Bear)
  • 03
    Colour C: 5 yards medium size 4 yarn (Brown) for spike framing and markings
  • 04
    Colour D: 5 yards medium size 4 yarn (Black) for eye shaping and embroidery
  • 05
    Fiber fill (approx 24 oz) for stuffing
  • 06
    14mm safety eyes (2 pieces)
  • 07
    Safety nose (1 piece)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 5.5mm for bulky yarn (head/body, ears, arms, legs)
  • 02
    Crochet hook size 3.5mm for spikes (smaller hook for loop work)
  • 03
    Darning needle for sewing and shaping
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Fabric pins for positioning pieces
  • 06
    Stitch marker to mark rounds
  • 07
    Polyester stuffing (fiber fill)
  • 08
    14mm safety eyes (2)
  • 09
    Safety nose

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Head/Body :

Rnd 1 :

mr, sc 8 (8)

Rnd 2 :

[inc] x8 (16)

Rnd 3 :

[sc, inc] x8 (24)

Rnd 4 :

sc 24 (24)

Rnd 5 :

[sc 2, inc] x8 (32)

Rnd 6-15 :

sc 32 (10 rounds) (32)

Rnd 16 :

[sc 2, dec] x8 (24)

Rnd 17 :

sc 24 (24)

Infos :

1) Stuff with fiber fill after row 17 and continue to stuff every row until complete. 2) Place eyes between rounds 9 and 10 with 4-5 stitches in between.

Rnd 18 :

[sc, dec] x8 (16)

Rnd 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 :

1) Using your darning needle and Colour D yarn, insert into the top inner corner of one eye.

Info :

2) 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 :

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

Info :

4) Push the needle through the body to the back of the head.

Info :

5) 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.

Info :

6) Eye shaping complete.

— Nose :

Rnd 1 :

mr, sc 4 (4)

Rnd 2 :

[sc, inc] x2 (6)

Rnd 3 :

[sc 2, inc] x2 (8)

Info :

Slst and tie off. Leave 12" strand of yarn to sew. Place safety nose on the top of round 1.

Info :

Using fabric pins, place nose on round 9-12 centered between the eyes. Sew on using a darning needle. If no safety nose you can also embroider a nose in the same place.

Info :

Once sewn halfway on, place a small amount of fiber fill if required.

— Eyebrows and Spike Framing :

Info :

Eyebrows 1) 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 :

Eyebrows 2) 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 :

Eyebrows 3) Push the needle over and repeat for the other eye.

Info :

Spike Framing 1) Using a darning needle and any colour medium yarn, insert the needle into the bottom of round 3 centered between the eyes.

Info :

Spike Framing 2) 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 :

1) With Colour B yarn, make a slip knot on your smaller 3.5mm hook.

Info :

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

Info :

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

Info :

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

Info :

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

Info :

6) 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 X2 :

Rnd 1 :

mr, sc 4 (4)

Rnd 2 :

[inc] x4 (8)

Info :

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

Info :

1) Create two ears.

Info :

2) Pinch ear in half and using a darning needle, sew one end together.

Info :

3) Using fabric pins, attach ears to round 4 and 5 of the head, directly against the spikes.

Info :

4) Using a darning needle, sew the ears on.

Info :

5) Ears attached.

— Legs X2 :

Row 1 :

Slip knot, ch 5 (5)

Row 2 :

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

Info :

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

Info :

1) Using fabric pins, attach the feet to the bottom of the head directly against the spikes with 2-3 stitches in between.

Info :

2) Using a darning needle, sew on both feet.

Info :

3) If you want to sew down the feet more, insert the needle 2 rows above where you sewed the foot on.

Info :

4) Then push the needle down one stitch over. This will secure the foot in place. Tie off and weave in ends.

— Arms X2 :

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" strand of yarn to sew on.

Info :

1) Make two arms.

Info :

2) Using fabric pins, attach arms to round 11 and 12 right against the spines.

Info :

3) Using a darning needle, sew on arms. Tie off and weave in ends.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the safety nose on round 9-12 centered between the eyes using fabric pins to position, then sew on using a darning needle, adding a small amount of stuffing if needed.
  • Pin ears to rounds 4 and 5 of the head directly against the spikes, then sew the ears in place using the 12" tail left when fastening off.
  • Attach feet to the bottom of the head directly against the spikes with 2-3 stitches between them, sew securely with a darning needle, and if desired reinforce by inserting the needle two rows above and securing down one stitch.
  • Position arms on either side of the head at rounds 11 and 12 against the spines, pin in place, then sew with the long tail and weave in ends.
  • After sewing the eyes shaping thread, tighten and tie the strands to create the desired eye shape, pushing the needle through to the back of the head for secure shaping and then weaving in ends.
  • Work looped spikes in a spiral following the spike framing placement; remove the temporary spike framing yarn once the spirals cover the head evenly.

Important Notes

  • 💡This project is worked in a continuous spiral; use a stitch marker to mark the beginning and end of each round.
  • 💡Different tension may create different results; this pattern is created with a tighter tension for a firm shape.
  • 💡Stuff after round 17 and continue to stuff gradually each row to create an evenly shaped head and body.
  • 💡Leave 12" tails when fastening off small pieces like ears, legs, arms, and nose to make sewing on easier.
  • 💡Pin all parts in place before sewing to ensure accurate placement and symmetry, especially against the spikes.

Herbie Hedgehog is a cozy, tactile amigurumi that brings smiles and warm hands together. With plush velvet yarn and playful looped spikes, this little friend is perfect for snuggles and shelf display. Make one as a thoughtful handmade gift or a charming addition to your home craft collection. 🧶🧸

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately H: 6" W: 6" when using the recommended bulky velvet yarn and hook sizes.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but it will affect the final size and texture; use an appropriate hook for your chosen yarn and note that the looped spike effect works best with bulky velvet yarn.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes familiarity with single crochet, increases, decreases, and working in continuous spirals; basic experience will make it easier to follow the shaping and spike work.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, though time may vary based on experience level and how much time you spend on spike spirals and assembly.

How should I place the safety eyes for the best expression?

Place the safety eyes between rounds 9 and 10 with 4-5 stitches in between to achieve the look shown in the photos and for the proper facial proportions.