Hey y’all!

I love cacti. I was able to go out to Texas, Utah, and Arizona a couple years ago, and being surrounded by cacti was a dream. And recently, I wanted to crochet one. But there’s a lot of different cactus crochet patterns out there and I wanted something different. So I thought, hedgehogs are spikey, cacti are spiky, time to mesh them together. And so, this cactus hedgehog crochet pattern was born lol.

This free crochet pattern is fairly easy to make, and a slightly more advanced beginner would be able to make it easily. I’ll walk you through all the steps with photos along the way.

If you would like to purchase the downloadable and printable PDF version of this pattern, you can find it on my Etsy or on Ravelry.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.

How to Make an Amigurumi Cactus Hedgehog

Yarn

You can really use any type of yarn that you want, but different yarn will have a different effect. I used weight 4 acrylic yarn because it’s cheap and I like acrylic yarn. If you use a different weight, the project will either be bigger or smaller.

Stitches Used (US Terminology)

Slip Knot: tutorial by SarahMaker

Create a slip knot on your crochet hook.

Yarn over and pull through the slip knot loop, creating a new loop on your hook. This is the first chain stitch.
Repeat these steps to create additional chain stitches: Yarn over, then draw the yarn over through the last loop on your hook to form a new chain stitch.

Yarn Over (YO): Yarn over by bringing the yarn over the hook from the back to the front. The yarn should be positioned above the hook.

Insert Hook: Insert the crochet hook into the stitch where you want to begin the double crochet.
Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over again and pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have three loops on your hook.
Yarn Over and Pull Through Two Loops: Yarn over once more and pull through the first two loops on the hook. This leaves you with two loops on the hook.

Yarn Over and Pull Through Remaining Loops: Yarn over one last time and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook. This completes one double crochet stitch.
Repeat: To continue making double crochet stitches, yarn over, insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through two loops, then yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.
End of Row: When you reach the end of the row, you’ll typically work a turning chain (usually two chains for a double crochet) before you start the next row. This turning chain helps create the proper height for the next row of stitches.

A double crochet is taller in height than a half-double crochet and single crochet.

Insert Hook: Insert the crochet hook into the stitch.
Yarn Over (YO): Yarn over by bringing the yarn over the hook from the back to the front. The yarn should be positioned above the hook.

Pull Through: Pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have two loops on the hook.
Yarn Over and Pull Through Both Loops: Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook. This completes one single crochet stitch.
Repeat: To continue making single crochet stitches, insert the hook into the next chain, yarn over and pull through, then yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

End of Row: When you reach the end of the row, you’ll typically work a turning chain (usually one chain for a single crochet) before you start the next row. This turning chain helps create the proper height for the next row of stitches.

Perform two single crochets in one stitch.

Increases are used to add stitches to your work and create a wider section.

Hold the Yarn: Hold the yarn in your hand with the tail (the loose end) in your palm and the working yarn (the yarn connected to the skein) over your index finger.
Form a Loop: With your index finger and thumb, grasp the working yarn to hold it against the tail end. This forms a loop with the working yarn crossing over the tail.
Insert Hook: Insert your crochet hook under both strands of the working yarn (the strand that leads to the skein) from front to back.

Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook) and pull through the loop that’s on your hook. This creates a slip stitch.
Chain Stitch (Optional): Some crocheters like to start with a chain stitch to give the magic ring a bit more stability. If you choose to do this, chain one, which will act as the first single crochet in your round.
Begin Stitching Inside the Ring: Start making your first round of stitches inside the loop. For example, if you’re making single crochets, insert your hook into the loop, yarn over, and pull up a loop to create the first single crochet.

Work the Desired Number of Stitches: Work the number of stitches required for your pattern inside the magic ring. For instance, if your pattern calls for six single crochets in the magic ring, you would make six single crochets in total.
Tighten the Ring: Hold the tail end of the yarn with your non-hook hand while gently pulling the loose end of the working yarn. This will tighten the loop, closing the center hole of the magic ring.
Close the Ring: Once the center hole is tightly closed, you can either slip stitch to the first stitch of the round or continue working in a continuous spiral, depending on your pattern instructions.

Remember that the magic ring might take a bit of practice to master, but it’s a great skill to have for certain crochet projects.

A magic ring, also known as a magic loop or magic circle, is a technique used in crochet to start projects that are worked in the round. It’s particularly useful when creating items like amigurumi, where you want to close up the center hole tightly.

Insert Hook: Insert your crochet hook into the stitch that you want to create the slip stitch in.
Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook from back to front), and then pull the yarn through the stitch and through the loop on your hook in one motion. This is different from other crochet stitches, as you’re not creating any additional loops on the hook.

Slip stitches are used to join rounds, close gaps, or move your hook to a different location within your work.

Insert Hook: Insert your crochet hook into the first stitch.
Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook) and pull through the stitch. You should have two loops on your hook.

Move to the Next Stitch: Insert your hook into the next stitch.
Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over and pull through the stitch. Now you have three loops on your hook.
Yarn Over and Pull Through All Loops: Yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook. This completes the single crochet decrease (sc2tog). You’ve effectively decreased two stitches into one.

A decrease stitch is used to reduce the number of stitches in a row or round, shaping your work by making it narrower.

When finishing an amigurumi piece, you’ll need to fasten off to secure the last stitch.

Cut the working yarn, leaving a tail, and pull the tail through the last loop on the hook, tightening it to secure the stitch.

Here’s a helpful video tutorial.

Cactus Hedgehog Crochet Pattern/Tutorial

Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Materials and Tools

Red heart super saver yarn in frosty green, buff, perfect pink
4.0 mm Crochet Hook
2 safety eyes (12 mm)

Stuffing
Tapestry Thread in white for spikes
Glue for spikes

Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends)
Scissors
Stitch Markers

How to Crochet a Cactus Hedgehog Steps

Head/Body: (start with tan)

R1: MR 6 (sl st into first st)

R2: (SC x 2, inc) x 2 (8)

R3: (SC x 2, inc) x 2, SC x 2 (10)

R4: (SC x 2, inc) x 3, SC (13)

R5: SC x 5, inc, SC, inc, SC 5 (15)

R6: SC x 15 (15)

R7: SC x 6, inc, SC x 2, inc, SC x 5, inc (18)

R8: SC x 18 (18)

R9: inc, SC x 5, inc, SC x 2, inc, SC x 8 (21)

R10: SC x 21 (21)

R11: (SC x 2, inc) x 7 (28)

R12: SC x 9, inc, SC, inc, SC x 2, inc, SC, inc, SC x 9, inc, inc (34)

R13-16: SC x 34 (34)

• Sew on blush

• SC 11 so that you’re at the side of the head

• Color change to green on stitch 11

• Insert eyes around round 11

• Begin next rounds from here

R17: SC x 14, (SC, inc) x 10 (44)

R18: SC x 14, (SC x 2, inc) x 10 (54)

R19: SC x 14, (SC x 3, inc) x 10 (64)

R20-21: SC x 64 (64)

R22: SC x 14, (SC x 3, dec) x 10 (54)

R23-29: SC x 54 (54)

R30: SC x 14, (SC x 2, dec) x 10 (44)

R31: SC x 44 (44)

R32: (SC, dec) x 3, SC x 5, (SC, dec) x10 (31)

R33: SC 31

Begin stuffing, make sure to tightly stuff the face

R34-36: SC x 31

R37: dec x 3, SC x 5, dec x 10 (18)

R38: dec, SC x 6, dec x 5 (13)

• Finish stuffing
• Sew loops closed

Feet: (make 4)

R1: MR 6 (6)

R2: inc x 6 (12)

R3: SC x 12 (12)

Sew on

Nose:

R1: MR 6 (sl st into first st)

R2-3: SC x 6 (6)

Stuff
Sew on

Medium cactus:

R1: MR 6 (sl st into first st)

R2: inc x 6 (12)

R3: (SC, inc) x 6 (18)

R4: (SC x 2, inc) x 6 (24)

R5: (SC x 3, inc) x 6 (30)

R6-9: SC x 30

R10: (SC x 3, dec) x 6 (24)

R11: (SC x 2, dec) x 6 (18)

R12: (SC, dec) x 6 (12)

Stuff

R13: dec x 6 (6)

Sew to hedgehog

Little cactus:

R1: MR 6 (sl st into first st)

R2: inc x 6 (12)

R3: (SC x 5, inc) x 2 (14)

R4: (SC x 6, inc) x 2 (16)

R5-6: SC x 16

R7: SC x 7, dec, SC x 6, dec

• Lightly stuff
• Sew front loops only and across only to keep the long top

Sew onto medium cactus

Medium flower: (make 3)

R1: MR 6 (sl st into first st)

R2: (sl st into next st, ch 3, dc in working stitch, ch 3, sl st into working stitch) x 6

• Sew onto upper right side of cactus
• Sew other onto butt
• Sew the last onto the left front side of the cactus and part way on the body

Lastly, sew on all the little cactus spikes. I did this by pulling the white embroidery thread through stitches, double tying it, cutting the thread ends (leaving a little tail on both ends), and then adding a tiny bit of clear gorilla glue to the knot.

How to stack the cacti on the hedgehog's back

More Free Crochet Patterns

Free Strawberry Owl Crochet Pattern

Free Cinnamon Roll Hermit Crab Crochet Pattern
Free Cupsnake Crochet Pattern

Free Cactus Coaster Crochet Pattern

All My Crochet Patterns

And that’s all folks!

Hope you enjoyed this free cactus hedgehog crochet pattern. Let me know if you have any questions. And don’t forget to pin this post on Pinterest to save it for later!

Pattern Terms of Use:

This pattern is for personal use only. Do not redistribute. Any redistribution of this pattern is theft. You may sell the finished product. Credit AbiesCustomDesigns for the pattern and use your own photos. Tutorial videos or written instructions of this pattern are prohibited.

Free Cactus Hedgehog Crochet Pattern

How to Make an Amigurumi Cactus Hedgehog