Keychains are the perfect small crochet project: they use scraps, finish in a sitting, and make gifts people actually carry. This page gathers all our free crochet keychain patterns: mini cats and an octopus, a capybara, a husky, bats and owlets, pizza and watermelon slices, a superhero, hearts, a sunflower, a Christmas bell and a bookmark.
Keychains are sorted into animals, characters and food, and everyday charms. Cards show the skill level, hook, yarn and finished size from each pattern, so you can choose one that matches your keyring and your stash. For the bags they will hang from, see our main bag and accessory patterns.
Free crochet keychain patterns
Animal keychains
Adorable Mini Crochet Cat Keychain: Easy DIY Pattern
Beginner · 2.5 mm hook · milk cotton / cotton yarn · about 5–7 cm
Cute Crochet Octopus Keychain Pattern: Easy DIY Gift
Beginner · 2.5 mm hook · acrylic yarn · about 5–7 cm
Adorable Plush Husky Keychain: Easy Crochet Amigurumi Pattern
Beginner–Intermediate · 3.75 mm hook · velvet / worsted yarn
Quick Crochet Mini Cat Keychain – Easy DIY Pattern
Beginner–Intermediate · 3.75 mm hook · about 8–10 cm
Adorable Lavender Jellyfish Keychain Crochet Pattern
3.25 mm hook · aran / DK yarn · about 2.5 inches
Adorable Amigurumi Owlet Keychain Pattern – Easy DIY
3.5 mm hook · velvet / worsted yarn · about 3.5 inches
Character and food keychains
Easy Crochet Sunflower Keychain: 5-Min Free Pattern
Beginner · 2.5 mm hook · DK / sport yarn · about 6 cm
Adorable Spider-Man Amigurumi Keychain – Easy DIY Pattern
3.75 mm hook · chenille / bulky yarn · about 3–4 inches
Hearts, bells and everyday charms
Easy Mini Crochet Heart Keychain Pattern: Perfect DIY Gift
Beginner · 2.5 mm hook · worsted / DK yarn · about 2 to 2.5 inches
Cute Mini Crochet Heart Keychain Pattern – Easy DIY Gift
Beginner–Intermediate · 3 mm hook · worsted / DK yarn
Cute Crochet Bookmark Keychain Pattern – Easy DIY
Intermediate · 3.5 mm hook · worsted / aran yarn · about 18 cm
The quickest keychains to start with
Several keychains here are rated beginner by their designers:
- The milk cotton mini cat, 5 to 7 cm tall
- The octopus keychain on a 2.5 mm hook
- The pizza slice charm
- The sunflower keychain, about 6 cm across
- The mini heart charm and the granny-square envelope
Flat pieces like hearts, the sunflower and the envelope are the fastest. Small stuffed animals take a little longer because of faces and ears.
Choosing yarn for a keychain that lasts
A keychain gets dropped, squeezed and dragged around in pockets, so the fabric matters more than on a shelf toy.
| Yarn | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton or milk cotton | Firm, crisp, holds its shape, shows detail | Less fuzzy and cuddly |
| Acrylic, worsted or DK | Durable, cheap, many colors | Can pill over time |
| Chenille or velvet | Soft and plush, looks like a tiny toy | Sheds a little, hides stitches |
For a keychain that lasts, work tighter than usual. Go down half a hook size from what you would use for a toy. Tight stitches keep stuffing in and stop the shape from stretching.
Attaching the hardware
The crochet is only half a keychain. A weak attachment is the most common way they fail:
- Choose hardware: a split keyring, lobster clasp, or bag-charm clip. Keep it in proportion to the charm.
- Make a strong loop: chain a loop with the same yarn, or sew a short loop of ribbon or cord into the top seam.
- Anchor through several stitches: sew the loop through two or three rounds, not just the top stitch, and knot it on the inside before closing.
- Test it: tug firmly before gifting. If it shifts, add more passes.
For bag charms that hang on a zipper pull, a lobster clasp is easier to attach and remove than a split ring. For house keys, a split ring is stronger and less likely to open by accident.
Do not give keychains with small hardware and safety eyes to babies and toddlers. Clasps, rings and eyes can all come loose.
Keychains as gifts and for markets
Keychains make great small gifts: teacher thank-yous, party favors, stocking stuffers and add-ons for bigger presents. Make a batch in one sitting: work all the bodies first, then all the faces, then attach all the hardware. Batch work is much faster than finishing one at a time.
If you sell at markets, check each pattern post for the designer's terms. Keychains of trademarked characters, like the superhero, have extra restrictions on selling.
Many keychains here are mini versions of full toys. The cats have big siblings in our cat amigurumi patterns, and the monster and superhero have relatives among our character amigurumi.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest crochet keychain to make?
A flat one: the heart, the sunflower and the envelope are all rated beginner and need no stuffing or face.
What yarn is best for crochet keychains?
Cotton or milk cotton gives the firmest, most durable keychains. Chenille looks soft and plush but can shed with heavy use.
How do I attach a crochet keychain to a keyring?
Chain or sew a strong loop and anchor it through several rounds at the top of the piece, then thread a split ring or clasp through the loop.
How big should a crochet keychain be?
Most keychains here finish at 5 to 10 cm, small enough for keys and bags but big enough to show detail. The bookmark keychain is longer, at about 18 cm.
More collections to explore
- Character & Fantasy Amigurumi Patterns (14 patterns)
- Crochet Cat Patterns (10 patterns)
- Crochet Pouch & Case Patterns (10 patterns)
- Easy Amigurumi Patterns (15 patterns)