Mario the HedgehogA knitting pattern by Rachel Borello Carroll

Mario the Hedgehog is knitted in worsted weight wool on double pointed needles in the round, starting at the tip of the nose. I used Cascade 220 and Lion Wool, but you can substitute pretty much anything. You knit increases to shape his face, and then stop working on the round and use loop stitch for his quill section, and stockinette stitch in MC for his belly section. He is then stuffed and seamed up on his underside. I have included both knitting and crochet instructions for his ears and feet. I prefer to crochet them on because it is less sewing, but in the chance you are a knitter and cannot crochet (or just dont want to) I wrote out how to knit the ears and feet and sew them on, as well. Your knitting gauge is unimportant for Mario, so long as it is tight enough that stuffing will not show through the holes in the fabric. Finished measurements:Approximately 5.5 inches from nose to rump. Materials:1 set of 4 US size 3 double pointed knitting needlesYarn needleScissorsPolyester fiberfill1 pair of 6mm black plastic safety eyesWorsted weight wool yarn in MC for face and feetWorsted weight wool yarn in CC for bodySmall amount of black wool yarn to embroider on noseSize US G crochet hook (optional)

Abbreviations:CO: cast onK: knitKfb: knit through the front and the back of one stitch, thereby increasing by oneM1: make one stitch by picking up a stitch under the bar between the current stitch and the next oneK2tog: knit two stitches together, thereby decreasing by oneLS: loop stitchSl: slip stitchPsso: Pass slipped stitch over Special instructions:LS: Loop stitch: To make a loop stitch, insert needle into next st as if to knit. Wind yarn over needle, and then wind yarn over both your index finger and the needle; draw both loops through the st and place them back on the left needle; knit through both the loops together through the back. Instructions:CO 3 in MC.Rd 1: Kfb all stitches, distributing evenly over 3 needles and begin working in the round. (6 st total)Rd 2: Knit Rd 3: [K1, kfb] 3 times around. (9 st) Rd 4: KnitRd 5: K2, kfb, k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k2 (12 st)Rd 6: KnitRd 7: K3, kfb, k2, m1, k2, kfb, k3 (15 st)Rd 8: KnitRd 9: K4, kfb, k2, kfb, k2, kfb, k4 (18 st)Rd 10: KnitRd 11: K5, kfb, k3, m1, k3, kfb, k5 (21 st)Rd 12: KnitRd 13: K6, kfb, k3, kfb, k3, kfb, k6 (24 st)Rd 14: K7, kfb, k4, m1, k4, kfb, k7 (27 st)Rd 15: K8, kfb, k4, kfb, k4, kfb, k8 (30 st) You have now completed the head. Stitches 1-10 are the side of the face, stitches 11-20 are the forehead/top of the snout, and stitches 21-30 are the other side of the face. The end of your round should be at the throat area. Knit 4 stitches into the next round. Place those stitches and the 4 stitches before them onto a stitch holder or piece of scrap yarn to be worked later. These stitches should be the bottom of the face and will later form the neck/belly section. You should have 22 stitches still on your needles. These will be worked back and forth, not in the round, but you should leave them on 2 or 3 double pointed needles because the curvature of the face will not allow you to stretch them all onto one needle yet. Join CC yarn at the side of the face, and with right side facing, [k2, kfb] 7 times, k 1. You should have 29 stitches. Turn work.Row 2 (WS): [K1, LS1] 14 times, k1Row 3 (RS): KnitRow 4 (WS): [LS1, K1] 14 times, LS1Row 5 (RS) : KnitRepeat rows 2-5 two more times, then do rows 2-4.

Row 14: [K2, k2tog] 7 times, k1.Row 15: [K1, LS1] 11 timesRow 16: KnitRow 17: [LS1, k1] 11 timesRow 18: KnitRow 19: [K1, LS1] 11 timesRow 20: [K1, k2tog] 7 times, k1Row 21: [LS1, k1] 7 times, LS1Row 22: [K2tog] 7 times, k1Row 23: [K1, LS1] 4 timesRow 24: [K2tog] 4 timesBind off all stitches.Remove the 8 stitches at the the throat of the hedgehog from your stitch holder and place them onto a single needle. Attach MC yarn and work these 8 stitches in stockinette stitch (knitting the right side and purling the wrong side) for 26 rows, ending with a right side row. Distribute these 8 stitches over 3 double pointed needles as follows: 3 stitches on the first needle, 2 stitches on the second needle, 3 stitches on the last needle. You are now going to join in the round, knit side out, to knit the tail. Tail, rd 1: Knit all 8 stitchesRd 2: K2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2togRd 3: Knit all 5 stitchesRd 4: K2tog, k1, k2togCut yarn and pull through all three stitches, pull tight to close the hole and tie off, pulling yarn tail inside of body to finish.Attach eyes to face and embroider on nose. Starting at the lower left side of the face, seam together the edges of the MC belly to the edges of the CC quill/back portion. Make sure the CO edge of the quill portion lines up with the tip of the tail. When you are about 3/4 of the way done seaming, stuff your hedgie and then finish sewing up. Pull any loose ends into the body.

Ears and feet, crochet method:

Using MC yarn, attach yarn where you want to put the first ear. Chain 2. Hdc (half double crochet) 3 times in the same spot where you attached the yarn. Cut yarn and tie off, pull ends into body to finish off. Repeat the same steps for the other ear, and then make the feet in the exact same way. Ears and feet, knitting method:Make 6 (2 for ears, 4 for feet).CO 5. Row 1: KnitRow 2: KnitRow 3: K1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1Row 4: KnitRow 5: KnitBind off all 3 stitches. Sew to body at sides of head and under body at desired location.

Pattern created and documented by Rachel Borello of www.yarnigans.com. Pattern is intended for personal home use and products made from it are not to be produced commercially or offered for sale. Pattern is not to be reproduced or redistributed without permission from the author.

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