Hedgehog Family

Hedgehog Family Knitted Toys by Natty Knits

What Is Being Made

The Hedgehog Family is a set of three knitted stuffed toys designed by Clare Doornbos of Natty Knits. This downloadable PDF pattern allows crafters to create a complete family of hedgehogs in graduated sizes: Large (5.5" tall), Medium (4.5" tall), and Small (3.25" tall). Each hedgehog is a three-dimensional amigurumi-style toy suitable for decoration, play, or gift-giving.

Craft and Primary Technique

This is a knitting project classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more advanced shaping techniques. The pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF format, allowing crafters to work at their own pace with printed or digital instructions.

Stitches and Shaping Methods Used

The Hedgehog Family pattern employs several key knitting techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch forms the primary fabric structure, creating a smooth, classic knit appearance for the hedgehog bodies
• Short Row Shaping is used to create the dimensional spikes characteristic of hedgehogs. This advanced technique involves strategic turning of the work mid-row to build three-dimensional texture without increasing or decreasing stitches in traditional ways
• Loop Manipulation is integral to the spike construction; when knitting back over stitches with loops created during short rows, crafters must knit into both the loop and the stitch above it simultaneously to properly form the hedgehog's distinctive spiked appearance
• Embroidery adds finishing details, with pink yarn used to embroider the hedgehog's nose

Materials and Tools Required

The Hedgehog Family pattern calls for DK weight yarn in two colors. Yardage requirements vary by size: the Large hedgehog requires approximately 65 yards of brown DK yarn and 35 yards of white or cream DK yarn, while the Medium uses 45 and 25 yards respectively, and the Small uses 30 and 15 yards respectively. This yarn weight choice creates a fabric with good stitch definition suitable for displaying the short row shaping details.

Needles and notions include US size 3 (3.25 mm) double-pointed needles or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge of 7 stitches and 10 rows per 1 inch in Stockinette Stitch. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and embroidering the nose detail, fiberfill stuffing for creating a three-dimensional toy form, and a small scrap of pink yarn for the nose embroidery.

Pattern Structure and Notes

The pattern is organized into clearly marked sections with separate rows for each size (Large, Medium, Small) to simplify following instructions. Importantly, crafters should not bind off between sections, maintaining continuous knitting throughout each hedgehog. The pattern includes detailed guidance on short row shaping technique, with photographic references (photos 1 and 2) demonstrating proper loop handling. Additional explanation of short row shaping fundamentals is available on the designer's blog for crafters seeking deeper understanding of this technique.