So I have a bit of a confession to make; I am a pin and needle sticker-in-er and not in the place pins and needles are supposed to go.  Some pins may have found their way onto the arm of the sofa, in balls of wool, or pinned to my person and quite possibly into the ball of the foot of my husband…so when my husband complained  (again!) about the pins everywhere I decided it was time to do something about it.

Introducing Betty Prickles my new hedgehog pin cushion companion – a much better place for me to stick my pins and needles I am sure you will agree.  And if you suffer from the same condition fear not you can now make your own Betty to look after your pins for you.

The pattern below has not been out to testers so if you find an error give me a shout so I can amend it!  You can download the pattern from Ravelry or Craftsy to save for later or continue down to the pattern below:

You will need:

• Scraps of dark brown, light brown and black 8 ply / double knit yarn (yarn weight #3)
• A red covered button / shank button for the nose
• Bit of Ribbon
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Toy Stuffing
• Hook: 4 mm (US size G)

Gauge:

• 4 dc/sc = 1 inch / 2.5 cm
• Finished pincushion measures roughly 4 inches / 10 cm x 3 inches / 8 cm
• Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be  different. 

Stitch abbreviations:

• st(s) = stitches
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• dc/sc = UK double crochet / US single crochet
• dc2tog/sc2tog = UK Double Crochet / US Single Crochet 2 sts together 
• cl = Cluster st

Cluster st = yarn over, insert hook into next st, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, yarn over, insert hook into same st, pull up a loop  (5 loops on hook), yarn over, pull yarn through all 5 loops on hook.

Pattern:

Rows 1 – 7  are worked without joining using a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds.  Place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of round.

Rnd 1: With light brown yarn either make a magic circle to start or ch 2 (does not count as first st), 6 dc/sc in the ring / beginning ch (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 1 dc/sc in next st, 1 dc/sc in same st then 2 dc/sc in each st around until you reach the st mrkr (12 sts).

Rnd 3: 1 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts)

Rnd 4: 1 dc/sc in next st, * 2 dc/sc in next st, 1 dc/sc in next * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnds 5: 1 dc/sc in each st around (18 sts).

Rnd 6: 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts * 2 dc/sc in next st, 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (24 sts).

Rnds 7: 1 dc/sc in each st around, finish off and weave in ends (24 sts).

Eyes:  Create two French knots for the eyes using black yarn; bring the thread out at the required position, hold the thread down where it emerges with the left thumb and encircle the thread 5 times with the needle. Still holding the thread firmly with your thumb, twist the needle back to the starting point and insert it close to where the thread first emerged (not in the exact place or it will simply pull back through). Pull the needle through to the back, leaving a knot on the  surface.

Nose: Sew on a button for the nose, a covered or shank button will work best but a normal button will work as well.

Rnd 8:  Join dark brown yarn to any st, 1 cl in each st around until end, sl st to top of 1st cl to join (24 sts).

Rnd 9: 1 cl in next 3 sts, * 2cl in next st, 1 cl in next 3 sts * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd, sl st to top of 1st cl to join (30 sts).

Rnd 10-11:  1 cl in each st around until end, sl st to top of 1st cl to join (30 sts).

Rnd 12:  *1 cl in the next 3 sts, 1 dc2tog/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, sl st to top of 1st cl to join (24 sts). 

Rnd 13: *1 cl in the next 2 sts, 1 dc2tog/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, sl st to top of 1st cl to join (18 sts).

Rnd 14: *1 cl in the next st, 1 dc2tog/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, sl st to top of 1st cl to join (12 sts) 

• Lightly stuff Betty’s body

Rnd 15: *1 dc2tog/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, sl st to top of 1st dc/sc to join (6 sts)

Rnd 16: Ch 1 (does not count as first dc/sc) 1dc/sc2tog in same st as ch 1, and the next st, and in each st around until end of rnd, sl st to top of first dc/sc to join (3 sts), cut thread leaving a long tail.

Rnd 17: Using your tail end and using your yarn needle sew the last 3 stitches together.

• Make your scrap of ribbon into a bow and sew to the top of Betty’s head.