Jaxon Toy in Berroco Vintage - Downloadable PDF

Jaxon Hedgehog Knitted Toy Pattern by Berroco – Pattern Summary

The Jaxon pattern, designed by Mel Kennelly and published by Berroco, is a knitted hedgehog toy worked in the round from nose to bottom. This charming stuffed animal is an intermediate-level knitting project, making it a rewarding challenge for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and working in the round on both circular and double-pointed needles. The finished hedgehog measures approximately 18½" / 47 cm around and 9" / 23 cm long, resulting in a generously sized, huggable toy.

Design Overview

Jaxon is a single stuffed hedgehog design with carefully shaped construction that begins at the nose and expands outward to form the face, body, and base. The pattern captures the distinctive rounded silhouette of a hedgehog, complete with a textured back to suggest quills, a smoother face area, and charming safety eye and nose hardware to bring the character to life.

Construction Method

The hedgehog is constructed entirely in the round, beginning with a small cast-on at the nose using double-pointed needles before transitioning to a 16" / 40 cm circular needle as stitches are increased. This seamless, top-down (nose-to-bottom) approach means minimal seaming and a clean finish throughout the body. Polyester stuffing is added during construction to give Jaxon his three-dimensional, plush shape.

Techniques Used

• Working in the round on both double-pointed needles and a short circular needle
• Kfb (knit front and back) increases to shape the nose and face
• M1 (make one) increases for additional shaping
• Seed stitch worked in the round to create the textured quill-like appearance across the body
• Gauge checking after blocking to ensure accurate finished dimensions
• Attaching safety eyes and a safety nose for a secure, toy-safe finish
• Use of removable stitch markers to track the beginning of round and shaping points

Stitches Used

• Seed stitch – the primary stitch pattern used across the body, creating a bumpy, textured surface that evokes the look of hedgehog quills
• Stockinette stitch (knit every round) – used in the face and nose area for a smoother, softer appearance
• Kfb increase – a simple knit-into-front-and-back increase used throughout the shaping rounds
• M1 increase – a lifted make-one increase used for precise stitch count adjustments

Yarn and Materials

Jaxon calls for two different Berroco yarns used together to create a unique blended texture and visual depth. The main color (MC) is worked by holding one strand of each MC yarn together throughout, combining a worsted-weight base with a delicate lace-weight accent.

Yarns Required

• Berroco Vintage (worsted weight, 100 g hank): 1 hank each in #5179 Chocolate (MC) and #5104 Mushroom (CC) – a smooth, easy-care yarn that provides the body and structure of the toy
• Berroco Aerial (lace weight, 25 g ball): 1 ball in #3433 Copper (MC) – a fine, airy yarn held together with the Berroco Vintage MC strand to add a subtle shimmer and warmth to the hedgehog's coloring

Holding a worsted-weight yarn together with a lace-weight yarn is a technique that adds visual interest and a slightly halo-like or glimmering effect without significantly changing the gauge or drape of the fabric. The resulting fabric is dense enough for a well-structured stuffed toy while still being soft to the touch.

Needles and