This pattern was first commissioned by an aquarium so it is quite detailed. There are 2 urchin stitch instructions. The first version will give a more realistic urchin, with sharp, straight spikes and is quite fiddly to do. The second version is more whimsical and much faster to knit. An intermediate knitter may want to give this pattern a try but it will require patience.

Use any fingering weight yarn, but yarn that includes at least 50% wool will hold the shape better. I used Knitpicks Palette and Knitpicks Chroma fingering and US size 4 / 3.5 mm dpns.

You will also need:

• 11 yds / 10 m laceweight yarns in slightly darker color than the MC, for the feet
• 100 beads and a beading needle (optional)

and for the Realistic version:
24 yds / 22 m of 28 or 30 ga (.32 or .25 mm) colored copper wire,