How to Turn an Amigurumi Pattern Into a Keychain - Without Changing the Pattern
Have you ever looked at one of your favourite amigurumi patterns and thought, that would be ridiculously cute as a keychain?
Good news: you don't necessarily need a separate mini crochet pattern.
One of the easiest ways to make your amigurumi smaller is simply to change the yarn and hook you're using. The stitches, stitch counts and construction can all stay exactly the same — you're just working everything on a much smaller scale.
It's a simple trick, but one that can give the crochet patterns you already own a whole new purpose.
In this guide, I'll show you some of my Crafty Creature Club patterns made both ways: as their usual chunky, cuddly versions and as tiny keychain-sized makes.
Same Crochet Pattern, Different Yarn
The basic idea is incredibly simple:
Thicker yarn + larger hook = bigger amigurumi
Thinner yarn + smaller hook = smaller amigurumi
You don't need to remove rounds, alter your stitch counts or try to redesign the pattern.
For the examples in this post, I've followed exactly the same crochet pattern for both sizes. The difference comes from changing the yarn weight and choosing a hook appropriate for that yarn.
And the results can be surprisingly different.
This is also one of my favourite ways of getting more value from a crochet pattern. Instead of thinking of a pattern as something that makes one specific finished item, you can start experimenting with how that same design looks in different yarns and at different scales.
Turning Chubby Birds Into Tiny Bird Keychains
My Chubby Birds are a particularly fun example because their simple, rounded shapes translate brilliantly into miniature versions.
The pattern itself doesn't change.
Make them in plush yarn and you get a soft, squishy little bird. Switch to a finer yarn and smaller hook and suddenly you've got a tiny bird that's just the right size for adding to keys, bags or backpacks.
You can do this with the different birds in the collection too, so your little flock can be as big — or as tiny — as you like.
- Pattern used: Chubby Birds Crochet Pattern
- Pattern alterations: None
- Mini version: Same instructions, 2mm skinny chenille yarn and 3.5mm hook. Safety eyes: 6mm
View the Chubby Birds crochet pattern
Iggy the Penguin: From Plush Penguin to Keychain
Iggy is another pattern that works especially well in both sizes.
The standard version makes a lovely chubby penguin, but worked in a finer yarn he becomes a tiny pocket-sized Iggy that can be turned into a keychain or bag charm.
And you have two options.
You can keep things simple and make your mini Iggy without his accessories, or you can go all in and give your tiny penguin his scarf and earmuffs too.
The accessories make the mini version particularly fun because you're still following the same design — everything has simply been scaled down along with him.
- Pattern used: Iggy the Penguin Crochet Pattern
- Pattern alterations: None
- Mini version: Same instructions, 2mm skinny chenille and 3.5mm hook. Safety eyes: 6mm
- Accessories: Optional scarf and earmuffs
View the Iggy the Penguin crochet pattern
There is something particularly satisfying about taking an unapologetically chubby amigurumi and making an absolutely tiny version of it.
It Works with Sewn Amigurumi Too: Kiki the Koala
And it's not just super-simple amigurumi patterns that can be scaled down.
One of my lovely pattern testers tried this with Kiki the Koala, making both a larger version and an adorable mini from the same pattern. I loved seeing the two of them together — and, with their matching bows, the tiny Kiki really does look like the big one's miniature sidekick!
@horvath.viktoria1992 / Instagram has kindly given me permission to share their photo here.
Kiki is a little more involved than the Chubby Birds because she has separate ears and a nose that need to be sewn into place. But the principle is exactly the same: the pattern and stitch counts don't need to change. By using a finer yarn and appropriately smaller hook, the whole design scales down — including those separate pieces.
It's a great example of why you don't have to limit this trick to completely no-sew patterns. Amigurumi with sewn-on ears, limbs or other details can work beautifully in miniature too; just bear in mind that those pieces will also become much smaller and can be a little fiddlier to position and sew.
- Pattern used: Kiki the Koala Crochet Pattern
- Pattern alterations: None
- Construction: Ears and nose are sewn on
- Mini version: Same pattern worked with cotton yarn and a 2.5mm hook
View the Kiki the Koala crochet pattern
Photo shared with kind permission from @horvath.viktoria1992 / Instagram.
What Yarn Should I Use to Make Amigurumi Smaller?
There's no single yarn that you have to use.
The important thing is that you're moving from a thicker yarn to a thinner one and reducing your hook size to suit.
For example, if your original amigurumi is made using chunky chenille yarn and a larger hook, switching to a DK or similar finer yarn with a much smaller hook can dramatically reduce the finished size.
The exact finished size will depend on:
- the yarn you choose
- your hook size
- your tension
- the original pattern
- how firmly you stuff your amigurumi
This is why I prefer thinking of this as a method rather than a strict conversion formula.
If you want something a little bigger than a keychain, choose a yarn somewhere between your original and miniature yarn. Want it even tinier? Experiment with an even finer yarn.
The crochet pattern stays the same.
Do I Need to Change My Hook Size Too?
Yes.
If you're changing to a significantly thinner yarn, you'll need to use a smaller crochet hook as well.
For amigurumi, you generally want your stitches to be tight enough that the stuffing doesn't show through, so choose a hook that gives you a nice, dense fabric with your chosen yarn.
The hook recommended on a yarn label can be a useful starting point, but amigurumi is often worked with a smaller hook than you might use for a garment or blanket.
What About Safety Eyes?
This is one thing that doesn't automatically scale with the pattern.
Your original safety eyes may look enormous on a miniature version, so you'll usually need to choose smaller eyes to keep the proportions similar.
Alternatively, for particularly tiny makes, embroidered eyes can work really well.
If you're making keychains to sell, it's also worth remembering who the finished item is intended for. Safety eyes are not suitable for toys intended for very young children.
How Do I Turn the Mini Amigurumi Into a Keychain?
Once your mini amigurumi is finished, you can attach a keychain fitting or lobster clasp to create your keychain or bag charm.
Make sure the attachment point is secure, particularly if the finished piece is going to spend its life being bounced around on a handbag or set of keys.
And that's it — your regular amigurumi pattern has become a mini crochet keychain pattern without changing a single round.
One Pattern, More Possibilities
This is probably my favourite thing about making mini versions.
A crochet pattern doesn't have to make just one thing.
The same pattern can become a cuddly plush, a smaller amigurumi, a keychain, a bag charm or even a tiny handmade gift simply by experimenting with the materials you use.
And if you already own the pattern?
You don't need to buy a separate miniature version.
Have a look through the crochet patterns you already own and see which ones might work on a smaller scale. Simple, rounded amigurumi designs are a particularly good place to start.
I'll also be adding more large-versus-mini experiments here, including some more Crafty Creature Club characters, so there are plenty more tiny transformations to come.
Looking for Crochet Keychain Patterns?
If you're in the mood for something that's already designed to be tiny, you can start with my free Kawaii Coffee Cup crochet pattern.
It's a cute little keychain-sized make that's quick to work up and a great way to use up small amounts of leftover yarn. Add a keyring or lobster clasp when you're finished and you've got an adorable coffee-themed keychain or bag charm.
Best of all, the pattern is completely free — so grab your hook and make yourself a tiny coffee!
Get the FREE Kawaii Coffee Cup Crochet Pattern →
Or, if one of the characters above has caught your eye, you can browse the Crafty Creature Club amigurumi crochet patterns and try making your own full-size and mini pair.
Looking for More Crochet Keychain Ideas?
If one tiny crochet project isn't enough (and let's be honest, when is it?), I've also rounded up 10 cute crochet keychain patterns from some brilliant designers.
There's a mixture of free and paid patterns, no-sew makes, quick projects and some slightly more unusual additions — including a tiny UFO, a yeti and a frog making some questionable decisions with his tongue.