purlJam

<pattern>

# Easter Hedgehog with Egg Basket

A sweet beginner-friendly amigurumi hedgehog carrying a basket full of colorful Easter eggs! This adorable hedgehog is made with simple spheres and cylinders, with easy textured spikes. Perfect for Easter decorations or as a springtime gift.

**Finished Size**: Approximately 4.5-5 inches (11-13 cm) tall  
**Difficulty Level**: Beginner  
**Techniques Used**: Magic ring, single crochet, increases, decreases, basic assembly

---

## Materials

### Yarn
- **Worsted weight (4) yarn** in the following colors:
  - Brown or tan (main color - hedgehog body): approximately 50 yards
  - Cream or beige (face/belly): approximately 20 yards
  - Tan or natural (basket): approximately 15 yards
  - Assorted pastels (pink, blue, yellow, lavender, green) for eggs: small amounts, 5 yards each
  
**Recommended Brands**: Red Heart Super Saver, Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, Caron Simply Soft

### Other Supplies
- **Crochet Hook**: US E-4 (3.5mm)
- **Safety eyes**: 6mm or 8mm (or black yarn for embroidered eyes)
- **Fiberfill stuffing**: Polyester, approximately 1-2 oz
- **Yarn needle**: For weaving in ends and assembly
- **Stitch marker**: To track beginning of rounds
- **Scissors**
- **Optional**: Pink embroidery floss or yarn for nose and cheeks
- **Optional**: Small amount of black yarn for embroidered features

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## Gauge
5 stitches and 5 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in single crochet (worked in continuous rounds)

*Gauge is not critical for this project, but tighter tension is recommended for amigurumi to prevent stuffing from showing through.*

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## Abbreviations
- **ch**: chain
- **sc**: single crochet
- **inc**: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- **dec**: invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through 2 loops)
- **sl st**: slip stitch
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)**: round(s)
- **[ ]**: total stitch count at end of round

---

## Special Techniques

### Magic Ring
Create an adjustable loop to begin working in the round. Alternatively, ch 2 and work stitches into first chain.

### Invisible Decrease
Insert hook through front loop only of next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. This creates a neater decrease than sc2tog.

### Continuous Rounds
Work in a spiral without joining rounds. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round, moving it up as you go.

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## Pattern Instructions

### HEDGEHOG BODY

**Using brown/tan yarn:**

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 repeats, 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats, 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30]  
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats, 6 × 5 = 30 ✓*

**Rnds 6-12**: sc in each st around [30]  
*7 rounds even*

**Rnd 13**: (3 sc, dec) around [24]  
*Math check: 30 ÷ 5 = 6 repeats, 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 14**: sc in each st around [24]

**Rnd 15**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]  
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats, 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Begin stuffing body firmly with fiberfill. Continue stuffing as you work the remaining rounds.**

**Rnd 16**: (sc, dec) around [12]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats, 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 17**: dec around [6]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close hole. Weave in end securely.

---

### HEDGEHOG HEAD

**Using cream/beige yarn for face:**

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 repeats, 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats, 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

**Rnds 5-8**: sc in each st around [24]  
*4 rounds even*

**If using safety eyes, insert them now between Rnds 6 and 7, approximately 6-7 stitches apart.**

**Rnd 9**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]  
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats, 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Begin stuffing head firmly.**

**Rnd 10**: (sc, dec) around [12]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats, 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 11**: dec around [6]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread tail through remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Set aside.

---

### HEDGEHOG ARMS (Make 2)

**Using cream/beige yarn:**

**Rnd 1**: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2**: (sc, inc) around [6]  
*Math check: 4 ÷ 2 = 2 repeats, 2 × 3 = 6 ✓*

**Rnds 3-6**: sc in each st around [6]  
*4 rounds even*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly (arms should be flexible). Set aside.

---

### HEDGEHOG LEGS (Make 2)

**Using brown/tan yarn:**

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnds 3-4**: sc in each st around [12]  
*2 rounds even*

**Rnd 5**: (sc, dec) around [8]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 3 = 4 repeats, 4 × 2 = 8 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff firmly. Set aside.

---

### HEDGEHOG EARS (Make 2)

**Using brown/tan yarn:**

**Rnd 1**: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2**: (sc, inc) around [6]  
*Math check: 4 ÷ 2 = 2 repeats, 2 × 3 = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Flatten and set aside.

---

### BASKET

**Using tan/natural yarn:**

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: working in back loops only, sc in each st around [12]  
*This creates the base ridge of the basket*

**Rnds 4-6**: sc in each st around [12]  
*3 rounds even*

**Rnd 7**: ch 8 for handle, skip 6 sts, sl st in next st, turn, sc 8 in ch-8 space, sl st to base where ch began.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff basket (it should remain hollow to hold eggs).

---

### MINI EASTER EGGS (Make 4-5)

**Using assorted pastel colors:**

**Rnd 1**: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [8]  
*Math check: 4 × 2 = 8 ✓*

**Rnds 3-4**: sc in each st around [8]  
*2 rounds even*

**Rnd 5**: dec around [4]  
*Math check: 8 ÷ 2 = 4 ✓*

Stuff very lightly with small amount of fiberfill. Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Thread tail through remaining 4 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end.

*Make 4-5 eggs in different colors (pink, blue, yellow, lavender, green).*

---

## Assembly

### Step 1: Add Hedgehog Spikes
Using brown/tan yarn and yarn needle, create texture on the back portion of the body and top/back of head:

**Method 1 (Easier for Beginners)**: 
- Thread yarn needle with brown yarn
- Make small loop stitches across the back of the head and upper back of body
- Insert needle from inside to outside, create a 1/2" loop, insert needle back through nearby stitch
- Space loops evenly to create spiky texture
- Secure each loop with a small stitch at the base

**Method 2 (Surface Chains)**:
- With brown yarn, make small chain loops across the back portion
- Attach each chain loop with a slip stitch through the body
- Vary chain lengths (ch 3 to ch 5) for natural spiky look

### Step 2: Attach Head to Body
- Position head on upper front of body, angled slightly upward
- Pin in place to check positioning
- Using long tail from head, sew securely to body using whip stitch or mattress stitch
- Weave in ends

### Step 3: Attach Arms
- Position arms on sides of body at approximately Rnd 10 of body (below head)
- Angle arms slightly forward as if holding something
- Sew securely in place with long tails
- Arms should be about 4-5 stitches apart

### Step 4: Attach Legs
- Position legs at bottom front of body
- Legs should be about 6-8 stitches apart
- Sew securely, ensuring hedgehog can sit or stand
- Weave in ends

### Step 5: Attach Ears
- Position ears on sides of head at approximately Rnd 3-4
- Flatten ears and sew the opening to the head
- Ears should angle slightly outward

### Step 6: Add Facial Features

**Eyes**: If not using safety eyes, embroider with black yarn:
- Position between Rnds 6-7 of head, 6-7 stitches apart
- Use satin stitch or French knots for eyes

**Nose**: Using pink or brown yarn:
- Embroider a small triangle or oval at front of face (below and between eyes)
- Use satin stitch or several straight stitches

**Optional Mouth**: With brown or pink yarn, embroider a small smile

**Optional Cheeks**: With pink yarn, embroider small circles or use satin stitch on each side of nose

### Step 7: Attach Basket
- Position basket between the arms, angled slightly upward
- The arms should rest on the sides of the basket
- Sew basket securely to arms and front of body using tan yarn
- Ensure basket handle arches over the top

### Step 8: Add Eggs to Basket
- Place 4-5 mini eggs inside basket
- Optionally, tack 1-2 eggs to bottom of basket with a few stitches so they don't fall out
- Arrange eggs to show different colors

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## Finishing

- Weave in all remaining ends securely
- Optional: Add small white highlights to eyes with white embroidery floss or paint
- Optional: Use surface slip stitch or straight stitches to add stripes or dots to Easter eggs
- Optional: Add a small bow or ribbon around hedgehog's neck
- Steam lightly or brush with soft brush to fluff any fuzzy yarn

---

## Customization Ideas

### Size Variations
- **