Pine Cone Hedgehog. Photo © Aga Tutak
Pine Cone Hedgehog by Aga Tutak is a clever free knitting pattern that turns a real pine cone into an adorable little hedgehog.
Instead of knitting the entire animal, you knit a tiny head and combine it with a pine cone that forms the hedgehog's wonderfully realistic spiny body. Better still, the knitted part uses only about 11–16 yards (10–15 m) of Aran-weight yarn, making this a fantastic scrap-yarn project.
Pine Cone Hedgehog Pattern Details
- Designer: Aga Tutak
- Published: May 2019
- Craft: Knitting
- Category: Decorative knitted animal
- Pattern availability: Free Ravelry download
- Finished length: Approximately 11.5 cm (4.5 inches)
- Yarn weight: Aran
- Yardage: 11–16 yards (10–15 m)
- Knitting needles: 4 double-pointed needles, 2.5 mm
- Crochet hook: 2 mm
- Gauge: 36 stitches × 42 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
- Construction: Worked in the round
- Languages: English and Polish
- Special material: A real pine cone
A Hedgehog Made With a Real Pine Cone
The most charming feature of this project is also the simplest: the pine cone becomes the hedgehog's spiny body.
You only need to knit the small head section that fits onto one end of the cone. Once assembled, the overlapping scales of the pine cone look surprisingly similar to a hedgehog's natural spines.
It is a lovely example of combining knitting with natural materials to create a small seasonal decoration.
A Tiny Scrap-Yarn Knitting Project
Pine Cone Hedgehog requires only about 10–15 metres (11–16 yards) of yarn.
That makes it an excellent project for using a small amount of Aran yarn left over from a larger sweater, hat, scarf or blanket.
You certainly don't need to buy a full skein specifically for one hedgehog if you already have a suitable scrap in your yarn stash.
Materials You'll Need
In addition to a small amount of yarn, the original pattern calls for:
- A pine cone
- Aran-weight yarn
- Four 2.5 mm double-pointed knitting needles
- A 2 mm crochet hook
- A darning needle
- A small amount of stuffing
- Hot glue
- Black cotton thread for embroidering the eyes and nose
Most of these supplies are things knitters and crafters may already have at home, which helps make this a wonderfully economical little project.
The Original Yarn
The current Ravelry listing suggests Novita 7 Veljestä, an Aran-weight wool-blend yarn.
Because such a tiny quantity is required, however, this pattern is especially suitable for experimenting with leftover yarn.
Choose a color that works naturally with your pine cone. Warm browns, beige, gray and other earthy shades can create a traditional woodland look, while a brighter yarn can make a more whimsical hedgehog.
Choosing the Pine Cone
Since the pine cone forms most of the finished animal, its shape has a big effect on the final appearance.
Look for a dry cone with an attractive, fairly even shape and scales that are nicely opened.
The knitted head needs to fit naturally against one end, so it can be useful to choose your pine cone before finishing the project rather than treating all cones as identical.
Worked in the Round
The knitted portion of the Pine Cone Hedgehog is worked in the round.
Aga Tutak specifies four double-pointed needles in size 2.5 mm.
This method allows the small head to be shaped as a three-dimensional piece rather than knitting two flat pieces and sewing them together.
Working With Double-Pointed Needles
Because the circumference is tiny, this project is a useful opportunity to practice knitting small objects on double-pointed needles.
Keep the stitches distributed comfortably between your needles and pay extra attention to the joins between needles so that loose ladders do not develop.
The small size also means you can practice the technique without committing to a much larger project such as socks or sleeves.
Finishing the Hedgehog's Face
The original materials list includes black cotton thread for embroidering the eyes and nose.
These tiny facial details are what transform the knitted shape and pine cone into a recognizable little hedgehog.
Because the features are embroidered rather than relying on plastic eyes, you can control their placement and expression while finishing your project.
Stuffing and Assembly
A small amount of stuffing gives the knitted section its shape before it is attached to the pine cone.
The materials list specifies hot glue for assembly. Take care when working with hot glue and allow the attachment to cool completely before handling the finished decoration.
This is a mixed-media decorative craft, so the finishing process is a little different from assembling a traditional fully knitted toy.
How Big Is the Finished Hedgehog?
The finished Pine Cone Hedgehog is approximately 11.5 cm (about 4.5 inches) long.
Since a real pine cone forms the body, the exact finished dimensions and proportions can naturally vary depending on the cone you use.
A Quick Woodland Knitting Project
With only a few yards of knitting required, this is a fun project when you want to make something small between larger projects.
It can also be a charming addition to an autumn woodland display, nature-inspired table decoration or handmade seasonal arrangement.
Make several with differently shaped pine cones and yarn colors and each little hedgehog can develop its own personality.
Skills Used in the Pine Cone Hedgehog
Useful techniques and crafting skills for this project include:
- Knitting in the round
- Working with double-pointed needles
- Stockinette stitch
- Basic shaping
- Working with a small circumference
- Stuffing a small knitted piece
- Embroidering facial features
- Using a crochet hook for finishing
- Attaching the knitted section to a pine cone
Is Pine Cone Hedgehog Beginner Friendly?
The pattern itself is classified as Beginner on its current LoveCrafts listing.
The main consideration for a newer knitter is that the project is worked in the round on small double-pointed needles.
If you are already comfortable with DPNs, the tiny amount of knitting makes this a very manageable little project.
A Fun Way to Use Leftover Yarn
One of the best reasons to save small yarn leftovers is that patterns like this require almost no yardage.
Even a scrap that seems too small for a hat, dishcloth or pair of booties may contain enough yarn for a Pine Cone Hedgehog.
At only 11–16 yards, it is one of the smallest stash-busting knitting projects featured on Amazing Knitting.
A Nature-Inspired Handmade Decoration
The combination of wool and a natural pine cone gives this little hedgehog a rustic woodland character that would be difficult to create with yarn alone.
It is particularly well suited to autumn and woodland-themed decor, but the simple design can be displayed at any time of year.
Because every pine cone is different, no two finished hedgehogs need to look exactly alike.
Important Safety Note
The designer specifically warns to keep the finished Pine Cone Hedgehog away from fire.
It also contains a real pine cone, glue and small decorative elements, so it is best treated as a decorative craft rather than a washable soft toy.
Why Knit the Pine Cone Hedgehog?
This project manages to turn just a few yards of yarn and an ordinary pine cone into something genuinely charming.
It is quick, inexpensive and unusual, and it gives you a practical use for those tiny Aran-weight yarn scraps that are too good to throw away.
The natural pine-cone body also means much less knitting than a traditional stuffed hedgehog while still producing a recognizable little woodland animal.
Get the Free Pine Cone Hedgehog Knitting Pattern
The complete Pine Cone Hedgehog by Aga Tutak is currently available as a free downloadable knitting pattern from the designer's Ravelry store in English and Polish.
Get the Free Pine Cone Hedgehog Knitting Pattern →
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability and pattern details on external websites may change over time.
