10 Cute Crochet Keychain Patterns: Free & Paid Amigurumi Ideas
There's something unbeatably satisfying about a tiny crochet project. They're quick to make, brilliant for using up those mysterious little balls of leftover yarn we all refuse to throw away, and — most importantly — you can attach them to practically anything.
So I've rounded up 10 cute crochet keychain patterns that deserve a place on your keys, handbag, backpack or anywhere else that could benefit from a tiny crocheted friend dangling from it.
You'll find a mixture of free and paid crochet keychain patterns in this collection, from adorable amigurumi to slightly more unexpected makes. I've included patterns from some brilliant crochet designers alongside a few Crafty Creature Club favourites, so there's plenty here to add to your ever-growing "I'll definitely make that one day" list.
Whether you're looking for a quick crochet project, something to make with leftover yarn, a cute handmade gift or small crochet makes for your next market stall, these little projects are a great place to start.
Right then. Let's make some unnecessarily tiny things.
1. Mini UFO Crochet Keychain
FREE CROCHET PATTERN
We're kicking things off with a tiny UFO because apparently even aliens need somewhere to keep their keys.
This adorable little UFO was designed by @megsmakescrochet and the pattern is available completely free on Instagram. It's a fun choice if you fancy making something a little different from the usual mini animals and food — and let's be honest, a miniature crocheted flying saucer dangling from your bag is difficult to resist.
Why we love it: It's quirky, cute and a great little project for using up leftover yarn.
Get the FREE Mini UFO Crochet Pattern from @megsmakescrochet →
2. No-Sew Popsicle Crochet Keychain
FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Next up: a tiny popsicle. Because apparently regular-sized crochet food just isn't exciting enough.
This super-cute popsicle by @hook__stories is made even better by two very important words: no sew. The free pattern creates a tiny amigurumi popsicle that's just begging to become a colourful keychain or bag charm — and with no little pieces to sew on afterwards, it's a satisfyingly quick make too.
It's also the perfect excuse to raid your yarn scraps and make an entire collection in different colours. Which obviously you need. For reasons.
Why we love it: It's tiny, colourful, no-sew and uses hardly any yarn. Basically, all the ingredients of a dangerously addictive little crochet project.
Get the FREE No-Sew Popsicle Crochet Pattern from @hook__stories →
3. Dog Hanging From a Bone Crochet Keychain
PAID CROCHET PATTERN
We've had a UFO. We've had a popsicle. Naturally, the next logical step is a tiny dog hanging from a bone.
This ridiculously cute keychain pattern by MyHopeCrochet features a little amigurumi pup clinging onto an oversized crochet bone — because simply standing next to it clearly wasn't dramatic enough.
The pattern is a little more detailed than our first two picks and comes as a 17-page PDF with step-by-step instructions, photos and video tutorials for some of the trickier parts. You can also play around with the colours to create a tiny version inspired by your own dog, which would make this one particularly lovely as a handmade gift for a dog lover.
Why we love it: It's not just a tiny dog — it's a tiny dog with a whole storyline. We also love the potential for customising it to resemble your favourite four-legged troublemaker.
Get the Dog with a Bone Crochet Keychain Pattern from MyHopeCrochet on Etsy →
4. Kawaii Coffee Cup Crochet Keychain
FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Look, we made the list. We make the rules. Of course we're sneaking one of our own in here.
Our Kawaii Coffee Cup is a tiny, squishy cup of caffeine-inspired happiness designed specifically to make a quick little keychain or bag charm. It's a satisfyingly speedy project, doesn't need much yarn and comes with an adorable little face — because apparently even your coffee needs to look pleased to see you.
It's also a great little stash-buster. Make the cup in your favourite coffee-shop colours, experiment with different shades for the sleeve, or make several and finally find a purpose for all those tiny yarn leftovers you've been keeping for absolutely no reason whatsoever.
Why we love it: It's quick, cute, beginner-friendly and completely free. Plus, unlike an actual takeaway coffee, you only need to make this one once.
Get the FREE Kawaii Coffee Cup Crochet Keychain Pattern →
5. No-Sew Baby Whale Crochet Keychain
FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Yes, there are approximately seventeen million tiny crochet whale patterns on the internet. But look at him. LOOK AT HIM.
This No-Sew Baby Whale by Skywoven Treasures is one of those wonderfully simple patterns that just gets it right. There's nothing overly complicated going on here — just a very small, very round whale with an extremely convincing argument for being attached to your keys.
The pattern is designed to minimise sewing and weaving in ends, and it uses less than 10g of yarn, making it a brilliant little project for those scraps that are far too small to start anything sensible with but far too precious to actually throw away.
Why we love it: Sometimes simple is best. He's round. He's tiny. He's a whale. Frankly, we don't know what else you want from us.
Get the FREE No-Sew Baby Whale Crochet Pattern from Skywoven Treasures →
6. Mini Triceratops Crochet Keychain
FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Obviously this list needed a dinosaur. We don't make the rules. Except, as previously established, we absolutely do.
This tiny Triceratops Dinosaur from Club Crochet is a brilliant little amigurumi project that comes out at around 3 inches tall — conveniently tiny enough to come everywhere with you.
It's rated as a beginner pattern and is estimated to take around an hour to make. There's also a full video tutorial (including a left-handed version), which makes this a particularly nice choice if you prefer to crochet along with someone rather than deciphering a pattern while wondering what on earth you did three stitches ago.
We also love that, despite being so small, it still has all the important triceratops credentials: tiny horns, little legs and that unmistakable frill. Attach a keyring and you've basically got a pocket-sized dinosaur. Which feels like something everyone should own.
Why we love it: It's beginner-friendly, free and tiny enough to hang from your keys. Jurassic Park would have been a considerably shorter film if they'd just made them all this size.
Get the FREE Mini Triceratops Crochet Pattern from Club Crochet →
7. Chubby Birds Crochet Keychains
PAID CROCHET PATTERN
Okay, yes. It's us again. But in our defence: look at their little faces.
Our Chubby Birds pattern includes three ridiculously round little birds — a pigeon, cockatiel and mallard — and they're just the right sort of shape for turning into tiny crochet keychains. Because nothing says sophisticated handbag accessory quite like having a miniature pigeon dangling from it.
There's an extra trick with this one too. The pattern doesn't have to be made at just one size. Work your Chubby Bird in plush yarn for a soft, squishy amigurumi, or switch to a finer yarn and smaller hook to create a miniature version using exactly the same pattern.
If you've never tried scaling an amigurumi pattern this way before, I've put together a guide showing exactly how it works — including side-by-side examples of the same patterns made in chunky and miniature versions.
Why we love it: You get three birds in one pattern, they're no-sew, and you can make them big, tiny or somewhere in between. We're also firmly of the opinion that the world needs more crochet pigeons.
Get the Chubby Birds Crochet Pattern →
See how to turn an amigurumi pattern into a mini keychain →
8. No-Sew Little Yeti Crochet Keychain
FREE CROCHET PATTERN
We've reached the cryptid portion of our programme.
This Little Yeti by @threaded_treasureau is free, no-sew and just a little bit different from your usual crochet keychain — which is exactly why it earned a spot on this list.
I've actually used this pattern myself to make keychains to sell, and can confirm that these little guys work brilliantly in miniature. They're quick to make, have loads of personality and look particularly cute hanging from a keyring. You can have fun playing around with the colours too, because I don't think anyone is in a position to tell us what colour a yeti is supposed to be.
Why we love it: It's free, no-sew and I've personally put this one through the keychain test. Plus, your keys get their own tiny mythical beast. Very practical.
Get the FREE Little Yeti Crochet Pattern from @threaded_treasureau →
9. Toad for the Road Crochet Keychain
PAID CROCHET PATTERN
I don't know who decided that this frog should hang from his keyring by his tongue, but I'd like to thank them personally.
Toad for the Road by closeknitcrochett takes the actual keyring and makes it part of the design, with the little frog's tongue wrapped right around it. It's completely ridiculous. I love him.
This one is a slightly more involved project and is rated as advanced beginner, so it's a good choice if you want a mini make with a little more going on than some of the super-simple patterns on our list. The pattern is worked in US crochet terms and uses a combination of chenille and medium-weight yarn.
And while you could probably argue that there are more dignified ways for a frog to travel, I don't think any of them would be quite as funny.
Why we love it: The tongue. Obviously the tongue. He's literally hanging on for dear life and somehow still looks delighted about it.
Get the Toad for the Road Crochet Keychain Pattern from closeknitcrochett on Etsy →
10. No-Sew Mini Bat Crochet Keychain
FREE CROCHET TUTORIAL
And finally, we've made it to number ten. Please celebrate responsibly by crocheting yourself a tiny bat.
This adorable Mini Bat by Monua DIY is a free YouTube tutorial that's both no-sew and beginner-friendly, working up in around 15 minutes. He's small, round, has tiny little teefs and looks remarkably cheerful for a creature traditionally associated with lurking in caves.
This would obviously make a brilliant little Halloween crochet project, but personally I don't think tiny bats should be restricted to October. Pop a keyring on him and he can happily spend the rest of the year dangling upside down from your bag.
Why we love it: It's free, no-sew and ridiculously cute. Also, after UFOs, dinosaurs, whales and a frog hanging from its own tongue, a tiny bat feels like a suitably sensible way to finish this list.
Watch the FREE Mini Bat Crochet Tutorial from Monua DIY →
Want to Save Them All for Later?
Ten tiny crochet projects. One Pinterest board. Absolutely no expectation that you'll finish the projects already sitting in your WIP pile first.
And if that WIP pile has reached the point where you're no longer entirely sure what's in it, we do happen to have a WIP Tracker printable. Completely unrelated, obviously.
I've saved all of the crochet keychain patterns from this list together on Pinterest, so you can find them easily, save your favourites and come back when you're inevitably in the mood to crochet something unnecessarily small.
See all 10 Crochet Keychain Patterns on Pinterest →
Which Crochet Keychain Will You Make First?
And there we have it — 10 tiny crochet projects and several very compelling reasons to abandon whatever you were supposed to be making today.
Whether you're after a quick stash-busting project, something cute to add to your market stock, a little handmade gift or simply believe your handbag would be improved by the addition of a miniature yeti, hopefully you've found something here worth adding to your hook.
And remember, a pattern doesn't necessarily have to be designed as a keychain to become one. By switching to a finer yarn and smaller hook, you can often turn your favourite amigurumi into a miniature version without changing the pattern at all. I've put together a guide to turning amigurumi patterns into crochet keychains if you fancy raiding your existing pattern collection before buying another one.
Although, given that you've just made it through a list of 10 new patterns, we may both know it's already too late for that.
Happy crocheting! 🧶