Meet My New Hedgies!

Last week I joined a link party over at Love Affair with My Brother and I received quite a few comments (and several new followers - thanks, Sunni!).  I have been making my own soft toy patterns for about a year now and have had many requests, but never for the patterns themselves.  So now, by special request, I have drafted up a hedgehog pattern, and made a few hedgies for today's show & tell.

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In my quest to draft a hedgie pattern I have been scouring the internet for photos.  I love this little one.

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Or how about this one with the cute flower?  Lookie! - you can actually see her legs!

This is more typical of what I have seen.  Just a big ball of spines with a nose (and ears and eyes, if you look closely).  So that was where I started.  And without further ado, let me introduce you to my newest creations!

(Oh, and per special request, I'll be sharing my pattern and tutorial with you all in an upcoming post!)

Before I post the tutorial, however, I'd like to introduce you to my little family of felted wool hedgies.  First up is Snoot, who may look like a traditionally colored hedgie, but his "spines" are really navy blue and deep maroon.  I didn't happen to have any brown wool today, so I used what I had in the house already.  

And here is Sniffles.  Her spines are made from a 70% wool, 30% polyester ribbed sweater.  I wasn't sure how the ribbing would work and then I made her using my tutorial and she looked like an armadillo! 

See what I mean?  Anyway, I figured I wouldn't have to actually MAKE spines, I'd just have to give the SUGGESTION of spines.  So here's how I did that:

Just a bit of embroidery floss makes for an interesting addition to both the look and texture of this girlie.

And last but not least is Stella.  She's a "sophisticated" hedgie, subdued in both color and personality.  But she's sweet none the less.  I decided to go with embroidery floss for the eyes - 12 strand French knots.  Let me say that I was more than a bit nervous about that, but I took courage and pressed on.

Are you still with me?  OK.  I told you I'd be sharing my pattern and tutorial, and I promise you won't have to wait long (my next post, in fact!).  And yes, my crafty followers, it is absolutely free!  But before I go, can I share just a few more fun photos?  Because I took a gazillion and no one around here really cares about seeing them.  So if you are interested, here's just a few more!

A heart.  'Cause I love my followers!  :) Caren