Crochet Green Alien Cat Amigurumi Keychain Pattern (Beginner Tutorial)

If you’ve been scrolling through craft fairs or Etsy shops lately, you’ve probably noticed the adorable little creatures dangling from bags, zipper pulls, and car keys everywhere. Amigurumi keychains are having a major moment, and one design in particular has captured the hearts of crochet enthusiasts everywhere: the green alien cat. Part extraterrestrial, part feline, completely irresistible. The best part? You don’t need years of crochet experience to make one. This tutorial is designed with beginners in mind, walking you through every stitch, every color change, and every assembly step so you end up with a polished, professional-looking keychain you’ll be genuinely proud of.

Whether you’re making this for yourself, as a gift, or to sell at a craft fair, this pattern is quick enough to finish in a single afternoon and charming enough to make you want to crochet a whole fleet of little alien cats. Let’s get into it.

What Is Amigurumi?

Before we dive into the pattern itself, let’s talk about amigurumi for a moment, because understanding the basic concept will help you feel more confident as you work through each step.

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures. The word combines the Japanese words “ami” (meaning crocheted or knitted) and “nuigurumi” (meaning stuffed doll). These tiny creations originated in Japan in the mid-20th century and have since taken over the global crafting world thanks to their cuteness, portability, and the relatively small amount of materials needed to create them.

Most amigurumi are worked in continuous rounds (also called a magic ring or spiral method) rather than joined rounds, which gives the finished fabric a seamless, smooth appearance perfect for three-dimensional shapes. If you’ve only ever crocheted flat pieces like dishcloths or scarves, amigurumi will open up a whole new world of possibility for you.

Materials You’ll Need

One of the greatest things about making amigurumi keychains is that they require very little yarn. This makes them ideal for using up leftover scraps from other projects. Here’s everything you’ll need to make your green alien cat keychain:

Yarn: You’ll need a small amount of green yarn in your main color, plus white, black, and a small pop of pink for the inner ears and nose. Worsted weight yarn (size 4) works well for beginners because it’s easier to see your stitches, though you can also use DK or sport weight for a tinier, daintier keychain. If you’re going the DK route, just size down your hook accordingly.

Crochet hook: A 2.5mm to 3.5mm hook is ideal depending on your yarn weight. For worsted weight, start with a 3.0mm or 3.5mm hook. The tighter your tension, the better, because you don’t want the stuffing to show through the gaps.

Safety eyes: You’ll need two 6mm black safety eyes. These give your alien cat that glossy, professional finish. If you’re making this for a child under 3, skip the safety eyes and embroider the eyes instead using black yarn.

Polyfill stuffing: Just a small pinch is enough for a keychain-sized amigurumi. You want your creature to feel pleasantly squishy without being lumpy.

Stitch marker: Any kind of stitch marker works — a locking plastic one, a bobby pin, or even a scrap of contrasting yarn looped through. You’ll use this to mark the beginning of each round.

Yarn needle: Also called a tapestry needle or darning needle, you’ll use this to weave in ends and sew pieces together.

Scissors: For cutting yarn between color changes and at the end of each piece.

Keychain ring or lobster clasp: A simple jump ring or keychain hardware from any craft store works perfectly. You can also find them in bulk on Amazon.

Optional: A tiny bit of craft wire or pipe cleaner if you want your alien cat’s antennae to be poseable.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

If you’re newer to reading crochet patterns, this abbreviation guide will be your best friend. Keep it open next to you as you work.

MR — Magic Ring
Ch — Chain
Sl st — Slip stitch
Sc — Single crochet
Inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
Dec — Decrease (invisible decrease: insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then front loop of following stitch, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops)
St — Stitch
BLO — Back loops only
FLO — Front loops only
Rep — Repeat
Rnd — Round

All rounds are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.

Pattern: Green Alien Cat Amigurumi Keychain

Part 1: The Head (worked in green)

The head is the most prominent part of your alien cat and the piece you’ll work on first. Start with your green yarn and make a magic ring.

Round 1: Make 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull the tail to close. (6 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 5: [Sc 3, inc] repeat 6 times. (30 sts)

Rounds 6–10: Sc in each stitch around. (30 sts) — This is 5 rounds of plain single crochet, which builds up the middle section of the head and gives it that nicely rounded amigurumi shape.

Now is the time to attach your safety eyes. Place them between rounds 7 and 8, with about 6 to 8 stitches between them. If you wait too long to attach the eyes before stuffing and closing up the head, you won’t be able to fasten the washers from the inside.

Once your eyes are attached, continue:

Round 11: [Sc 3, dec] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 12: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)

Begin stuffing the head now. Add enough polyfill to make the head firm but not overstuffed. You should be able to press gently and feel some give.

Round 13: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 sts)

Round 14: [Dec] repeat 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use your yarn needle to close the remaining hole by weaving through the front loops of the final 6 stitches, pulling tight to cinch closed. Weave in the end.

Part 2: The Ears (make 2 — worked in green with a pink center)

The little pointed ears are what make this design feel like a cat rather than just a round alien head. The slight point comes naturally from working fewer stitches in a tight triangle shape.

With green yarn:

Round 1: MR, ch 1, sc 4 into magic ring, pull to close. (4 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (8 sts)

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 4 times. (12 sts)

Round 4: Sc in each stitch around. (12 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.

For a little splash of color, use your pink yarn and a yarn needle to embroider a small triangular shape onto the center of each ear once they’re complete. Alternatively, you can switch to pink for Round 3 and work the last round in pink before fastening off, giving you a naturally two-toned ear.

Part 3: The Antennae (make 2 — worked in green)

These little alien antennae are what really set this design apart and give it that extraterrestrial charm. They’re super simple to make.

Ch 8. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sl st in each chain back to the beginning. (7 sl sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

If you want your antennae to stand up on their own, thread a short piece of craft wire or pipe cleaner through the inside of the chain before fastening off. This lets you pose them at cute angles.

At the top of each antenna, you can make a tiny ball to give them that classic alien antenna look. Simply make a MR, sc 6 into it, pull closed, and fasten off. Attach one tiny ball to the tip of each antenna using your yarn needle.

Part 4: The Body (worked in green)

For a keychain, you want the body to be relatively small so the whole thing stays compact and cute. This body is worked in an oval shape to give it a little more dimension than a simple ball.

Round 1: MR, sc 6 into magic ring. (6 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)

Rounds 5–8: Sc in each stitch around. (24 sts)

Round 9: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)

Stuff the body lightly.

Round 10: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 sts)

Round 11: [Dec] repeat 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off and close the same way you did the head. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Part 5: The Arms (make 2 — worked in green)

Round 1: MR, sc 5 into magic ring. (5 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (10 sts)

Rounds 3–6: Sc in each stitch around. (10 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff the arms — keeping them flat makes them easier to sew on and gives the finished keychain a more charming, floppy look.

Part 6: The Tail (worked in green)

Ch 12. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain back to the beginning. (11 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. You can curve the tail slightly when sewing it onto the body to give your alien cat a bit of attitude.

Assembly Instructions

Now comes the really satisfying part: putting your alien cat together. Lay out all your pieces before you start sewing so you can visualize the final look.

Start by attaching the ears to the top of the head. Position them symmetrically — roughly 4 to 5 stitches apart at the very top of the head. Using your yarn needle and the long tails from the ears, sew them down with a whip stitch all the way around the base of each ear, pulling firmly so they sit upright and don’t flop to the sides.

Next, attach the antennae. Sew them to the top of the head between the ears, angling them slightly outward. If you’ve used craft wire, now’s the time to bend them to your preferred pose.

Take a moment to embroider the face details. Using black yarn and your tapestry needle, add a small curved line for a smile just below the eyes. You can also add tiny little nostrils or a small “w” shape for a cat-like nose using pink yarn. These little details make your alien cat come to life.

Sew the head to the body by aligning the center bottom of the head with the center top of the body. Use your yarn needle and a length of green yarn to whip stitch all the way around, securing the join firmly. Pull your stitches snug but not so tight that the fabric puckers.

Attach the arms on either side of the body, positioning them about 1 to 2 rounds down from the neck join. Sew them flat against the body with a few firm stitches, allowing them to dangle naturally.

Sew the tail to the back of the body at the bottom, curving it upward to one side.

Adding the Keychain Hardware

Loop your keychain ring or lobster clasp through the top of one antenna, through the very top of the head, or through a small chain you crochet as a hanging loop. The easiest method for beginners is to cut a short length (about 3 inches) of green yarn, fold it in half, insert the folded end through a stitch at the top of the head, pull the loose ends through the folded loop to create a lark’s head knot, and then thread the loose ends through your keychain ring before tying several firm knots. Add a dab of craft glue to the knots if you want extra security.

Tips for a Polished Finish

Tension is everything in amigurumi. If your tension is too loose, the stuffing will poke through your stitches and the finished piece will look sloppy. Practice crocheting tightly, especially for the head and body sections. If you find your tension naturally loose, try dropping down one hook size.

Always use a stitch marker. It seems like a small thing, but losing track of where your round begins is the number one source of frustration for beginner amigurumi makers. A stitch marker saves you from having to count and recount.

Weave in your yarn ends thoroughly. A minimum of three to four passes through the surrounding stitches in different directions will ensure your ends don’t work their way loose over time, which is especially important for something like a keychain that gets handled frequently.

Don’t overstuff. A little bit of polyfill goes a long way in a small piece. Start with less than you think you need, then add more if necessary. Overstuffed amigurumi look puffy and misshapen, while lightly stuffed ones have that charming, soft appearance you see in professional work.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about making your own amigurumi is that you can customize them endlessly. Here are a few ideas to make your alien cat keychain uniquely yours.

Try making a whole color family — one in green, one in purple, one in blue — for a little alien cat crew. You could also give each one a different facial expression: surprised, sleepy, grumpy, or excited. A tiny pair of embroidered glasses made from craft wire turns your alien cat into a nerdy scientist. A small crocheted bow tie or flower makes a great accessory for a more dressed-up look.

If you want to make a larger version as a plush toy rather than a keychain, simply scale up by using bulkier yarn and a larger hook. The pattern ratios remain the same.

You can also experiment with variegated or self-striping yarn for a more psychedelic alien look, or try adding a small planet or star embroidered onto the body for extra galactic flair.

Selling Your Alien Cat Keychains

If you’re thinking about selling these at craft fairs or in your own Etsy shop, you’re in luck. Amigurumi keychains are perennial bestsellers because they’re affordable, giftable, and universally appealing. The alien cat design in particular does well because it bridges the gap between cat lovers and fans of quirky, offbeat accessories.

For pricing, factor in your yarn and materials cost, your time (don’t undercharge yourself — your labor has value), and any platform or booth fees. A typical handmade amigurumi keychain in this size sells for anywhere between eight and twenty dollars depending on the market and complexity.

You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern. Please credit the pattern if you share it online, which also helps other makers find the tutorial.

Final Thoughts

There’s something genuinely magical about watching a pile of yarn transform into a tiny green alien cat that you can carry with you everywhere. This pattern is designed to grow with you as a crocheter — the techniques you practice here, from working in the round and making a magic ring to invisible decreases and amigurumi assembly, form the foundation of nearly every amigurumi pattern you’ll ever encounter.

Once you’ve made one, I promise you won’t stop there. The alien cat is just the beginning of a whole universe of tiny crocheted creatures waiting to come to life on your hook. Save this pattern, share it with a friend