Introduction: Hedgehog Cat Toy

About: Hello, friends! I spend a lot of time creating things, and I am here to share them with you. Most of the time I crochet, but I do other things sometimes too. The rest of time is divided up between listening to…

A toy hedgehog stuffed with catnip and plastic strips to entertain your cat. It can be modified to be simply a plushie.


Step 1: Needed Materials and Other Notes

Needed Materials:
-a size f (3.75 mm) crochet hook
- tan worsted weight yarn (I used red heart)
-a stitch marker
-a popsickle stick (optional) (x)
-invisible thread (optional) (x)
-a pocket knife (optional) (x)
-catnip (x)
-a plastic bag (x)
-scissors
-fiberfill stuffing (if you are not turning it into a cat toy)
-Brown, slightly fuzzy yarn, baby weight (I dont have a brand name, as I inherited it and the case was gone)
-two white beads
-white thread
-a needle
-hot glue
-felt
-thread that matches your felt
-a yarn needle 

Other Notes:
-If you wish not to make into a cat toy and instead just have a mouse plush, simply stuff as you normally would. Also, all materials with an (x) are not needed.
-In this project you will use the magic ring, which I know not everyone has used. If you need a tutorial let me know, and I will make one. You will also be using single crochets, slip stitches, increases, and decreases, which are more standard. If my style of writing or using these stitches confuse you, message me. I will help you in any way I can.
-Make sure you crochet tightly so you do not have any holes in your toy.
-Depending on the method you use to secure the pieces you may not need the hot glue gun. Skip to steps 7+8 to see the different choices before you decide. 





Step 2: Starting the Toy

Using the tan yarn and f hook, single crochet (sc) 6 in a magic ring.  Flip your tail onto the side facing you (this side will become the inner side of the mouse) and slip stitch (ss) to the first sc.

Step 3: Creating the Body

round 1: sc in the next 3 stitches, increase (inc) in the next 3 stitches (9)
round 2: sc in the next 4 stitches, inc. in the next 5 stitches (14)
round 3: sc in the next 5 stitches, *inc. in the next stitch, sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * 4x, sc in next * (18)
round 4: sc in the next 6 stitches, *inc. in the next stitch, sc in the next stitch* repeat from * to * 6x (24)
round 5: sc in the next 7 stitches, inc in the next 3 stitches, sc in the next 11 stitches, inc. in the next 3 stitches (30)
rounds 6-11: sc in every stitch 
round 12: *sc in the next 3 stitches, decrease in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around (24)
round 13: * sc in the next 2 stitches, decrease in the next stitch* repeat from * to * around (18)

Step 4: Creating the "Tugger" (optional)

If you want to play with the toy and your cat in a more active way, use this step to create a "tugger" so you can pull the toy around and away from your cat.

-IF YOU MAKE THE PULLER MAKE THE NOTCHES DEEP AND WRAP IT AROUND MANY TIMES. I had to remake mine after one rough play with me cat.
-take the knife and cut two indents in the the middle of the popsickle stick, right across from each other. 
-cut a piece of invisible thread between 36 and 48 inches long. Thread the needle and tie the two ends of the thread together, this helps it from tangling.
-securely stitch the thread to the tip of the nose, I ran my needle through 7 times. 
-cut the thread off of the needle and tie it securely to the popsikle stick. I found it helpful to knot the two ends together before trying to tie it to the stick. 
-Cut a thin piece of duct tape, mine was about a half an inch, and wrap it around the notches and knot on the popsickle stick. Run it through the two pieces of thread once you get there and continue wrapping.

Step 5: Stuffing the Hedgehog

-Add the catnip in first so it rests in the base of the nose
-cut your plastic bags into strips and stuff the hedgehog. I suggest starting at the bottom of the bag and cutting inch long stips horizontally, making small strips of out of the longer one. Make sure you don't put too much in or else it won't make the fun crinkling noises.

If you are not making it a cat toy, simply add in your fiberfill.

Step 6: Finishing the Body

round 14: *sc in the next stitch, dec. in the next stitch.* repeat from * to * around. Finish off, leaving a long tail

-thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and cinch closed. It is handing to use the yarn needle here. 

Step 7: Making and Securing the Hedgehog's "Spines"

-Using the brown yarn and e hook, sc 8 in a magic ring.
-round 1: *inc 2, sc2* repeat from * to * around (12) 
-round 2: sc in the first stitch, inc. in the next 2 stitches, sc in the next 4 stitches, inc in the next 2 stitches, sc in the last 3 stitches (16)
-round 3: sc in the first 2 stitches, inc in the next 2 stitches, sc for 6 stitches, inc in the next  2 stitches, sc for 4 stitches (20)
-round 4: sc in the first two stitches, inc in the next 4 stitches, sc in the next 6 stitches, inc. in the next 4 stitches, sc in the last 4 stitches (28)
-round 5: sc for 5 stitches, inc in the next 2 stitches, sc for 11 stitches, inc in the next 2 stitches, sc for 6 stitches. (32)
-finish off and weave in your end.

There are two options for securing the spines to the body of the hedge hog. You can sew them on as is traditional or you can run hot glue around the edges of the spines and press them onto the body. I prefer the hot gluing method as it is faster and is less likely to fall off or come undone. It is up to you, however.

Step 8: Making the Hedgehog's Face

-Cut two oval shaped eyes.
-secure them to the hedgehog either by sewing them on or by hot glueing them on
-use the white bead to make the iris/pupil/shine. Again, you can either sew or hot glue them on, the choice is up to you.

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