If you are a crocheter and have a baby or toddler, play room or nursery, and love organization and helping your child learn – this post is for you! I am posting new patterns for each letter many times per week so keep checking back.
Want a fun way to use your scraps? Want to make a lot of little projects/toys that are great for little ones? Want to custom a special piece for a wee one? – and then end with one big finale? This project is for you! (And you can skip the big finale if it’s not for you and still have all the little toys and ABCs.)
I have compiled the first letters of this event in a convenient downloadable PDF if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place. And my printable paid patterns contain a lot more photo tutorials to help you if you need. You can find the letters A-F HERE ON MY ETSY.
This H for Hedgehog pattern is also available as a separate PDF in my Etsy because while I am working on this A-Z project, I am also working on a Baby Animal set of patterns – so, the Hedgehog fit right into both categories. And if you prefer to buy from Ravelry, you can find this pattern over there as well. 
This project was in my head as I was designing all of these letters and I’m so excited to get this started! Won’t you join me? Here is the latest new pattern to go with the others already linked. If you prefer to shop on Ravelry for your patterns I also have the entire alphabet PDF over there.
You can begin by deciding what colors you want to use for your letters – I’ll be using them all! – and make up the alphabet or save this post and wait for the end and make it all at once.
I’m gonna give you some options at the end to make the final part right for you/your space. Here are some of the previous toys so make sure to check out THE ORIGINAL POST to link hop to them all.
I will using some of the patterns that I’ve already made for this ABC project and you will see those linked below at the end of this post. You can go ahead and get started today! I can’t wait to share this with you. I’m planning on at least a weekly update, but I’m going to shoot for two per week. I’m gonna try.
So, join me. Save this post. Let’s get started!
UPDATE: H is for Hedgehog: March 19, 2020
For most all of these projects I encourage you to dig in your stash. Use some scrap yarns when you can I’ll also be using stuffing, crinkle paper, rattle boxes, squeaker toy inserts, and safety eyes in some of these patterns. All patterns listed have/will have a full material list.
This post does contain affiliate links. I will get a small percentage from any purchase made through my page here, but your price remains the same. I appreciate any purchase made through my page as I can continue to offer free patterns here on my blog.
I want to say thank you for all who stop by to support my patterns and my blog. I have chosen to NOT do ads on my blog (with the exception of my affiliate links) and offer FREE patterns, but please – if you love my patterns and want to say a little thank you- or just have some good small business karma support points- a purchase now and then or a visit to any of my affiliate links really helps. It keeps this blog going so I can continue to offer free patterns for all to enjoy. I also purchase a pattern now and then or visit an affiliate link from my favorite blogs and designers. Thank you
I have compiled the first letters of this event in a convenient downloadable PDF if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place. You can find the letters A-F HERE ON MY ETSY.
I will be doing a second downable set including G-M once they are all finished.
This pattern is intended for personal use only. This pattern -and all my patterns- are offered for free or a small fee to help support my family so please do not redistribute, sell, copy or use them in any way not in accordance with fairness.
You may sell products made from this pattern, but please give me credit as the designer. Please do not use my photos as your own work, but you may use my photos to reference back to my blog, Etsy, Pinterest, IG or FB, but please link back to me.
If you find any problems with this pattern please let me know and if you have any problems with any of it feel free to message me and ask for support.
Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to me, Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Pin this post and come back for all of the A-Z toys!
Hedgehog:
Materials:
Hook: Size H/5mm hook *note: the reason I have used my H size hook is because I was holding two strands together for the body – a strand of 4-ply worsted weight yarn and a strand of the fun fur yarn. If you are not using an equivalent to these materials you may want to modify your hook size. I will make notes in the pattern when/if I change my hook size.
Yarn: Impeccable in Soft Rose and Lion Brand Fun Fur in Soft Pink. You won’t use but about half of a ball of the fur at most and less than that on the other. Impeccable is 285 yds/4.5oz*260m/127.5g. It is a #4 Yarn. I’ve also used only the smallest bit of the Impeccable in Putty for the belly and hands/feet.
Here are the products I have used for this hedgehog:
-Safety Eyes or buttons (or yarn to embroider if you choose) and needle to embroider face.
-Stuffing. I have used Poly-Fill brand stuffing, but feel free to use what you prefer.
Stitch Legend:
Chain: Ch
Single Crochet: SC
Inc Sc: make two single crochet stitches in the same stitch as indicated
Invisible Decrease: inv. dec – this is an invisible single crochet decrease
HDC: half-double crochet
HDC Inc: increase in HDC
DC Inc: increase in DC
DC: double crochet
Tr: treble crochet
Picot: chain 3 and slip stitch into the 3rd chain from the hook *US Terms apply
This pattern starts at the bottom and works up to the top of the head. The belly patch is made separately and then sewn on.
NOTE ON FUR: If you are using fur like in my example, you may already know: fur yarn when worked makes the fuzziest side on the other size of your work – so, while you are working in the round you will be looking at the part of your work that you will flip to the inside. The inside of your work with all the good fur is going to get turned and be the outside before you close.
Ch 2 (you can also use a magic ring if that is your preferred method of starting a circle or amigurumi)
Round 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook (6)
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (12)
Round 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (18)
Round 4: *1 sc in next two sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (24)
Round 5: *1 sc in next three sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (30)
Rounds 6-15: 1 sc in each stitch around (30)
Round 16: *1 sc in next three sc, inv dec over the next 2 sc* repeat around (24)
Round 17-18: 1 sc in each stitch around (24)
Round 19: *sc in next 2 sc, inv dec over next 2* repeat around (18)
Round 20: 1 sc in each stitch around (18) ****this is probably right about where you need to stop and flip your animal inside out. If you do another round of decrease it may be tough. Start your stuffing.
Round 21: You will be working the other side now. *sc in next sc, inv dec over next 2 sc* repeat around (12) Chain 1
After you complete Round 21, you will stuff and hold the opening closed and sc along the gathering to close. You will be single crocheting through two layers to close. (6)
Chain 1 and turn. Now, working in rows with a chain 1 and turn after each row:
Inc, sc 6, inc (8)
Inc, sc 8, inc (10)
Inc, sc 10, inc (12) chain 1 and turn
Now, do the following stitches:
(hdc, dc), (dc, tr), (tr, dc), hdc, sc, slip stitch, slip stitch, sc, hdc, (dc, tr), (tr, dc), (dc, hdc)
*just in case you don’t know – the stitches above in () go into one stitch together and those not in () are by themselves.
Finish off with a tail for sewing. You should now have this crazy ball of fur right now. You can see the stitches that you ended with made a nice curve – this top part will get folded down after you make the belly and help form the face.
Ears and Belly:
With your G/4mm size hook and 1 strand of yarn. *I used the Impeccable in Putty.
For the ears leave a tail to tie/sew at the start. Just a few inches will be fine. Chain 2 and and make the following stitches in the 2nd chain from the hook: sc, hdc, dc, picot, dc, hdc, sc – finish with a second tail. Make two ears and use the tails to tie onto the sides of the head right at the side where the upper “flap” piece meets on the head. Weave the tails into your work. This next photo may help:
*Just in case you need a refresher or this is new to you. If it is typed “sc 3” that means make a single crochet in each of the next 3 stitches. If it is types “3sc” that means make 3 sc in the SAME next space. AND (2sc) 3 means make 2 single crochet in the next SAME space 3 times.
The belly starts with a chain and then gets worked around the chain to make an oval. As I mentioned above, I work in the spiral or continuous round – so, this belly portion pattern is written that way – continuously – mark off the stitches as you go and/or use a stitch marker to help you keep track. You will need to trust me on this part as some numbers are maybe going to seem like typos – they are not – these numbers help even out the spiral oval as you go. Also, the 3sc stitches below should line up to be worked in the center of the 3sc before them.
Chain 9. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook: sc 7, 3sc, turn to work on opposite side of the chain now, s csc 6, 2sc in last space (you should now have 18 crochet), sc 8, 3sc, sc 8, 3sc, sc 9, 3sc, sc 10, 3sc, sc 11, 3sc, sc 12, 3sc, sc, hdc 11, sc, 3sc, sc, hdc 12 (there are now 32 stitches around), (2sc) 3, hdc 13, (2sc) 3, hdc 13, sc 9, (hdc 4, hdc inc) 6, sc 9. Slip stitch in next and finish off with a tail for sewing.
Add eyes in the upper portion of the belly piece – I’m using safety eyes, but you can also use buttons or embroider or whatever you prefer. Add lashes here if you desire.
***safety note here: some people choose not to use safety eyes for any type of toy and I get it – it is personal. But, if you do use them sometimes like I do, one added measure you may do is to get out that glue gun. On pieces like this one where the safety eyes go through a piece that gets sewed it is so easy to squeeze a big dollop of hot glue all on the backs of the eyes to secure them even more. I also use this method if they are going into a head. Just add that glue and let dry and complete.
Nose: same materials and hook as for belly:
Chain 2. In the 2nd chain from the hook make 6 sc to start your circle.
Round 2: inc, sc 5 (7)
Round 3: inc, sc 6 (8)
Round 4: 2sc in each stitch (16)
Finish with a long tail to sew. Add a bit of stuffing and sew down to center between eyes. *I chose to add a little safety nose. You can use yarn to embroider instead.
Sew this piece to the middle of the body. It will help to pin this in place.
The “arms” and “legs” are super quick and easy:
Arms: Chain 2. In the 2nd chain from the hook make 6 sc to start your circle.
Round 2: sc 6
Legs: Chain 2. In the 2nd chain from the hook make 6 sc to start your circle.
Round 2: 2sc in each stitch (12)
Round 3: sc in each stitch (12) – finish off, gather ends together and sew these flat.
Also, for a recap: I shared H is for Heart a while back before Valentine’s Day so don’t miss checking out that post for another H toy.
I realized after I started this project that I would never be able to update every new post with every new link – once I got down to the end of the alphabet, I would have to update about 20 post with all the links to all the new patters – So, I will be keeping THIS ORIGINAL POST updated with all the new links for all of the new toys. <3
In addition to the alphabet patterns, below you will find a list of toys that will be linked right here starting now. *these are not set in stone and I may decide to switch them as I work if I am inspired in a different direction. So, pin or save this post and come back and follow along with me or subscribe to my blog and get email updates when I make a new post.
Ball – for the ball toys in this project, I refer you to this post to make one – or many – crochet balls using your scrap yarns. The more textures the better. You can also add rattle boxes, squeakers, stress balls as filler and more.
Bunny – I have made a few bunnies in the past and I will be making another version of my Clover the Baby Bunny Pattern
Dinosaur – here on my blog you will find an entire Dinosaur Family. For this ABC event, I will be making a different version of Scrappy. He’s the perfect size and uses up some assorted scrap yarns. If you want a different option, Baby Pea is also a nice small size and also Pinky the Dezzy Inspired DRAGON is a good choice for D is for Dragon.
Eye – I will be using the eyeball pattern from my Halloween Bag of Balls for this project, but if you find it too weird or spooky for a baby let me know and I’m sure I can whip up a different one. This one would be super cute with some crinkle paper inside. *Also, when you visit this post there is a Zombie ball that would make a cute Z word and I will most likely be altering the colors on this Zombie ball and making a few additions to do a Ninja toy for N.
Goat – here on my blog you will find Ginger the Goat in my Farm Series. She is a bit large for this project so she will get a few modifications to be a bit smaller. Feel free to make her if you want a larger goat.
Lamb– another make from my Farm Series is Lonny the Lamb. Lonny is a nice, small size so I will be using this pattern here for the Lamb, but will switch up the colors I’m sure. Maybe bright? Maybe a girl?
Octopus – in my opinion this octopus squeeze ball is the perfect baby toy when made from cotton so this is the pattern that I will be using right here. I like to use 100% cotton and the stress/squeeze balls on the inside of the head and it makes these the perfect baby toy with teether capabilities. And they are so quick to make you can make a handful.
Will you be joining in the fun? I’d love for you to make all of this with me, but if not pick a few and make it with me.
I’d love to see all your work or catch up with your progress so connect with me over on IG @theburgundybasket
#youandmeabccrochet
XOXO,
Kristi
