Hedgehog Soft Toy in Sirdar Wild & Hayfield Bonus DK - 2489 - Downloadable PDF

Sirdar Hedgehog Soft Toy Knitting Pattern (2489) – Detailed Summary

This downloadable PDF from Sirdar provides instructions for knitting an adorable Hedgehog Soft Toy standing approximately 30 cm (11¾ inches) tall. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is a wonderful project for knitters who have moved beyond the basics and are ready to tackle shaping, texture techniques, and toy construction. Three distinct colour variations of the hedgehog are included in the pattern, each using a different combination of yarn shades, allowing knitters to create a small family of hedgehogs or simply choose their favourite colourway.

What Is Being Made

The finished object is a three-dimensional knitted hedgehog soft toy, complete with safety eyes, a safety nose, and washable toy filling. The toy is constructed in separate sections — including a detailed face worked from the nose outward — which are then assembled to create the final figure. Each of the three hedgehog versions shares the same construction method but uses different yarn shade combinations to give each one a unique personality.

The Three Hedgehog Colour Versions

• Hedgehog 1: Uses Hayfield Bonus DK in shade 838 (Yarn A) and shade 961 (Yarn B), combined with Sirdar Wild in shade 400 (Yarn C).
• Hedgehog 2: Uses Hayfield Bonus DK in shade 812 (Yarn A) and shade 927 (Yarn B), combined with Sirdar Wild in shade 401 (Yarn C).
• Hedgehog 3: Uses Hayfield Bonus DK in shade 812 (Yarn A) and shade 947 (Yarn B), combined with Sirdar Wild in shade 402 (Yarn C).

Materials Required

The pattern calls for two distinct yarn types used together to achieve the hedgehog's characteristic smooth face and spiky body texture:

• Hayfield Bonus DK (product code F013) – a double knitting weight yarn, used in two shades per hedgehog (Yarn A and Yarn B). One 100g ball of each shade is required per hedgehog.
• Sirdar Wild (product code F218) – a super chunky textured yarn used as Yarn C for the spiny body sections. Three 50g balls are required per hedgehog.
• A pair of 6½mm knitting needles (UK size 3 / USA size 10.5) for the body and spiny sections.
• A pair of 3¼mm knitting needles (UK size 10 / USA size 3) for the finer face and detail sections.
• Stitch holders for managing live stitches during construction.
• 2 safety eyes and 1 safety nose per hedgehog.
• Washable toy filling for stuffing the finished toy.

Techniques and Construction

The pattern employs a combination of knitting techniques that work together to replicate the hedgehog's natural appearance — a smooth, rounded face and a body covered in dense, textured spines. The construction is worked in separate pieces that are seamed and assembled, with the face section started at the nose and shaped outward using a series of carefully placed increases.

Key Techniques Used

• Loop stitch – This is the signature technique used for the hedgehog's spiny body. Loop stitch is a knitting technique where a loop of yarn is drawn up and secured on the right side of the fabric, creating a raised, shaggy texture. When worked in the Sirdar Wild super chunky yarn, this produces a wonderfully tactile, spike-like effect that mimics a real hedgehog's quills. The tension for this section is 11 stitches and 16 rows to 10 cm on 6½mm needles.
• Stocking stitch – Used for the smooth face and finer body sections worked in Hayfield Bonus DK on 3¼mm needles. Stocking stitch (knit