This mini crochet keychain is quick, sturdy, and beginner-friendly. You’ll make two neat circles, join them with a clean edge, add a slim strap, and clip on the hardware. The project takes about an hour, uses small scraps of cotton yarn, and makes a great little gift or shop item. I’ve kept the pattern simple on purpose: basic stitches, no counting headaches, and steps that photograph clearly for your Pinterest or product page.
Use cotton or cotton-blend yarn so the surface stays crisp and pill-resistant inside bags and pockets. A 2.75–3.5 mm hook works for most DK or light worsted yarns. Stuff lightly, just enough to hold shape without bulging. If you prefer, slip in a tiny lavender sachet or a jingle bell before closing.
You can customize endlessly: two-tone fronts and backs, stripes, surface-stitched initials, or a tiny embroidered motif. Swap the strap for a short chain, a leather tab, or a rainbow cord. Keep edges tight so the ring doesn’t wiggle free, and weave ends securely through several stitches.
Below you’ll find a clean, no-nonsense pattern with stitch counts and a seven-prompt photo plan you can use for AI images or step shots. Each prompt lists supplies needed at that moment so you can set your table once, work step by step, and finish fast. When you’re done, attach the key ring, give everything a gentle steam block, and enjoy a tidy, professional-looking keychain that’s small enough for pockets yet bold enough to find in a hurry. Anywhere.
Full Pattern
Size: ~5–6 cm diameter with DK cotton and a 3.0 mm hook
Skill: Beginner
Stitches/Abbreviations: ch (chain), MR (magic ring), sc (single crochet), inc (increase = 2 sc in one st), sl st (slip stitch)
Notes: Stitch counts are in ( ). Work in continuous rounds; use a marker.
Circles (make 2)
R1: 6 sc in MR, tighten ring (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: (1 sc, inc) rep around (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) rep around (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) rep around (30)
Fasten off Circle 1. On Circle 2, do not fasten off (you’ll use it to join).
Strap Tab
Ch 12–14. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch back (11–13 sts). Fasten off, leave a 15–20 cm tail. Thread tab through a split ring so the ring sits at the fold.
Join & Stuff
Hold the two circles wrong sides touching. With the working yarn from Circle 2:
– Insert hook through the next stitch of both circles; sc around to join.
– When you reach the top, slide the raw ends of the folded strap between layers; keep the ring outside. Sc through all thicknesses to anchor.
– Leave a 4–5 st gap, lightly stuff, then sc closed. Invisible join to first sc. Weave ends securely.
Finish
Add a jump ring and lobster clasp if desired. Optional: steam lightly from a distance to relax stitches.
Supplies & Setup
Lay everything out so the process flows. Choose smooth cotton in a color you love; it photographs cleanly and resists fuzz in daily use. Pick a hook that matches the yarn label, then go one size smaller if your stitches look loose. Add a split key ring, jump ring, lobster clasp, fiberfill, scissors, a tapestry needle, and a stitch marker. Clear a small workspace, place a neutral background, and turn on soft side light so stitches show. Keep hardware in a dish, yarn ends clipped, and tools within reach so you can move from step to step without losing momentum.
Supplies
Cotton yarn, 3.0 mm hook, split ring, jump ring, lobster clasp, fiberfill, scissors, tapestry needle, stitch marker.
First Circle
Start with a magic ring and six single crochets to form a tidy center that won’t gap. Pull the ring snug, place a marker in the first stitch, and work the second round by increasing in each stitch to reach twelve. For round three, repeat one single crochet then an increase all the way around for eighteen. Keep your hook perpendicular to the fabric and relax your shoulders; even tension makes the circle lie flat. If the edge ripples, you’re crocheting too loosely; if it cups, loosen slightly. Finish with an invisible join or a slip stitch. Trim tail neatly.
Supplies
Yarn, 3.0 mm hook, stitch marker, scissors.
Second Circle to Match
Make a matching second circle using the same stitch counts: six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four, and thirty, stopping when the diameter fits your hardware scale. Count quietly each round so both pieces stay identical. If you want a two-tone look, switch colors at the last yarn-over of the previous stitch for a clean transition. Block lightly with steam or a warm palm to relax the stitches. Weave the starting tails toward the edge so they can hide inside later. Stack the circles with wrong sides touching and check that the stitches align before you begin joining. Adjust hook size if needed.
Supplies
Yarn (same or contrast), 3.0 mm hook, scissors, tapestry needle, optional steamer.
Strap/Loop & Ring Prep
Crochet a slim strap to attach the key ring. Chain twelve to fourteen, then work single crochet back across to thicken and strengthen the tab. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread the tab through the split ring so the ring sits at the fold, and set it aside. You can also substitute a short metal chain, leather strip, or paracord loop if you prefer mixed textures. Match strap color to the circle or choose contrast for pop. Keep the strap short; a compact loop keeps keys tidy and prevents twisting inside bags. Avoid bulky knots near hardware.
Supplies
Yarn, 3.0 mm hook, split key ring, scissors, tapestry needle.
Join & Lightly Stuff
Place the two circles with wrong sides touching. Insert your hook through a stitch on both layers and single crochet around to join them, catching both edges cleanly. Work about two thirds of the way, then pause. Slip the folded strap between the layers at the top, raw ends inside, ring outside. Continue crocheting through all thicknesses to anchor the strap securely. Lightly stuff with fiberfill so the shape is firm but not bulging. Finish the round, then close with an invisible join for a seamless edge that looks crisp from every angle. Massage stuffing evenly with your fingertips inside.
Supplies
Two circles, strap with ring, working yarn, 3.0 mm hook, fiberfill, tapestry needle, scissors.
Hardware & Tidy Finish
Weave all tails into the seam, traveling through several stitches in different directions to lock them. Attach a jump ring to the split ring, then add a lobster clasp if you want to clip the keychain to a bag or zipper. Check the join where the strap meets the body; add a tiny reinforcing stitch with the yarn tail if needed. Steam lightly from a distance so the circle relaxes and the edge evens out. Avoid pressing hard; you want structure, not flattening. Give it a gentle shake to test durability before loading with keys. Trim fuzz and snip flyaways.
Supplies
Jump ring, lobster clasp, split ring, tapestry needle, small pliers, steamer (optional), scissors.
Personalize & Style
Personalize your keychain so it feels special. Add a surface-stitched initial, Tiny heart, or star using contrasting yarn. Or embroider simple seed stitches like scattered dots. You can also tie on a micro tassel, charm, or bead to the ring for texture and shine. Keep decorations low-profile so pockets stay smooth. If gifting, tuck it into a small kraft envelope with a care note: spot clean, air dry, avoid soaking metal hardware. Photograph the finished piece on a clean background to show scale, texture, and neat edges clearly. Offer color options and sets if you sell or gift multiples together.
Supplies
Contrast yarn, tapestry needle, tiny charm or tassel (optional), keys/props for styling, envelope or tag.
Final Thoughts
Small, sturdy projects build skills fast, and this keychain does exactly that. You practice a magic ring, flat increases, joining layers, and a tidy finish in under an hour. Cotton yarn keeps the shape crisp and pocket-friendly, while the strap and hardware upgrade a simple circle into something useful and giftable. Change colors, add initials, or stitch tiny motifs to match seasons or teams. Batch a few during one sitting, then photograph and list them while your momentum is high.
