11 Crochet Animal Keychain Free Patterns
A crochet animal keychain is a tiny amigurumi with a job. It rides on your keys, your backpack, or your purse, and it makes people smile all day. These little critters are also great for using up scraps and for filling a craft fair table.
We gathered 11 free patterns and checked each designer page for the skill level, yarn, and hook. You will find quick one-piece animals for beginners, and a few with more shaping when you want a challenge.
Crochet Animal Keychain Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Cotton yarn in DK (#3) or sport (#2) for small, neat animals
- Small crochet hook set, 2.5 mm to 5 mm
- Safety eyes, 6 mm to 8 mm
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Keychain rings with jump rings or lobster clasps
- Locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needle and embroidery floss
1. Crochet Octopus Keychain
Photo: Shehnaaz / Crochet Dreamz
A tiny octopus about 2 inches wide, made in one piece with the arms crocheted right onto the body. It uses very little yarn, so it is great for scraps, and it doubles as a bag charm. Make a few in peach, blue and yellow for a fun set.
- Designer: Shehnaaz / Crochet Dreamz
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3) cotton
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Bunny Keychain
Photo: Sarah / Rich Textures Crochet
A soft, fuzzy bunny about 4.5 inches tall. The head, body, arms, legs and ears are worked in rounds and sewn together, and the body has a cute bobble stitch texture. The fuzzy yarn makes it extra huggable, so it is a sweet Easter or birthday gift.
- Designer: Sarah / Rich Textures Crochet
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Cat Keychain With Heart
Photo: SaniWools (on CrazyPatterns)
A little cat, about 6 cm tall, holding a heart. The parts are made separately and then put together, and the post walks you through it step by step. It is a lovely Valentine’s Day gift, or a “thinking of you” present for a cat lover.
- Designer: SaniWools (on CrazyPatterns)
- Skill level: Beginner (per designer)
- Yarn: see pattern (cotton, about 125 m per 50 g)
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Duckling and Frog Keychains
Photo: TansuluuCraftHaus (on CrazyPatterns)
Two keychains in one pattern. The duckling and the frog use the same stitches and only change in color and face details, so once you make one, the second goes fast. Each is about 8 cm and works up well in a cotton blend yarn.
- Designer: TansuluuCraftHaus (on CrazyPatterns)
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: see pattern (cotton blend, 50 g / 160 m)
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Kiki the Axolotl
Photo: Joy / Anvi’s Granny Handicrafts
A kawaii baby axolotl in light purple, with little antennae, legs, and a tail crocheted onto the surface. The designer uses a low-sew method, and she notes these work well as keychains or bag charms. Pick DK yarn for a small charm or worsted for a bigger one.
- Designer: Joy / Anvi’s Granny Handicrafts
- Skill level: Beginner (basic amigurumi skills)
- Yarn: DK (#3) or worsted (#4)
- Hook: 2.2–2.5 mm for DK, 3.5–3.75 mm for worsted
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Mini Velvet Owl Keychain
Photo: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
A plush little owl made in velvet yarn, with crocheted white eyes, safety eyes, an embroidered beak and loop-stitch talons. The body is single crochet from a magic ring, and the wings use a mix of taller stitches. The velvet makes it look soft and fancy.
- Designer: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
- Skill level: Beginner (per designer)
- Yarn: see pattern (Bernat Velvet Minis)
- Hook: H
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Pocket Lion Dance Keychain
Photo: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
A 4-inch lion head inspired by Chinese lion dance costumes, with fluffy fur trim, beads, a horn, a beard and a flower on the forehead. There are many small pieces and stitches like puff stitch, so save this one for when you are ready for detail. Great for Lunar New Year.
- Designer: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
- Skill level: Advanced
- Yarn: DK or light worsted (#3), plus a fluffy yarn for the trim
- Hook: 3 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Mini Turtle Amigurumi
Photo: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
A small turtle with a round shell, little legs, and safety eyes, worked in single crochet rounds. The designer calls it almost no-sew: you only sew the head to the body. In sport weight cotton it is about 3 inches, which she says is a great keychain size.
- Designer: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton, or super bulky chenille for a bigger turtle
- Hook: 2.5 mm for sport, 5 mm for chenille
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Backpack Bronto
Photo: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
A mini brontosaurus, about 5 inches tall, that clips onto a backpack with a carabiner. It uses basic stitches and has no color changes. Kids love it for back to school, and you can leave off the clip to make a small toy instead.
- Designer: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. 20-Minute Panda Bear
Photo: Jade / Sweet Softies
A round little panda only 2.5 inches tall, made in super bulky yarn so it works up in about 20 minutes. Safety eyes go in as you work, and you embroider the nose and mouth at the end. Add a keyring to the top and it becomes a soft, squishy keychain.
- Designer: Jade / Sweet Softies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. No-Sew Crochet Otter
A cuddly 3.75-inch otter worked top down in one spiral, with bobble stitch ears and a soft tail. There is also an optional tiny fish in DK yarn. The designer suggests making it a keychain with the fish hanging as a little extra charm. It takes under an hour.
- Designer: Fay / Stitch by Fay
- Skill level: see pattern (mostly single crochet)
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6); DK (#3) for the fish
- Hook: 4.5 mm; 2.5 mm for the fish
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First amigurumi ever? Start with #10, the 20-Minute Panda. Big yarn, few rounds, fast result.
- Want a tiny charm in cotton? #1 (octopus) and #8 (turtle) are small and neat.
- Making gifts for kids? #9, the Backpack Bronto, clips right onto a school bag.
- Need a Valentine’s gift? #3, the cat holding a heart.
- Ready for a challenge? #7, the Lion Dance keychain, has lots of fun details.
FAQ
What size hook should I use for an animal keychain?
Go a little smaller than the yarn label says. Most of these patterns use 2.5 mm to 3 mm with DK or sport cotton. A smaller hook makes tight stitches, so the stuffing does not show through and the little animal keeps its shape on your keys.
Are safety eyes OK on keychains?
Safety eyes are fine for adults and older kids when you lock the back washer on firmly. For babies or young children, skip them and embroider the eyes with black yarn or floss instead. Many of these designers mention embroidery as an option.
How do I make my amigurumi into a keychain?
Sew a jump ring or a short yarn loop into the top of the head before you hide your ends. Then add a split ring, a lobster clasp, or a keychain with chain. Some patterns, like the Bronto, use a carabiner clip instead.
Pick your favorite little animal, grab a keyring, and give your keys some personality.