31 Quick and Easy Crochet Keychains for Bags (Stashbuster!)
If you’ve been crocheting for any length of time, you know the struggle: a growing pile of yarn scraps that are too small to start a new project but too pretty to throw away. Enter the humble crochet keychain — the perfect stashbuster project that’s quick, satisfying, and genuinely useful. Whether you’re making them for yourself, gifting them to friends, or selling them at craft fairs, crochet keychains for bags are one of those little projects that never get old.
In this post, I’ve rounded up 31 quick and easy crochet keychain ideas that range from beginner-friendly to slightly more adventurous, so there’s something here no matter your skill level. Grab that leftover yarn, your smallest hook, and let’s get stitching.
Why Crochet Keychains Are the Ultimate Stashbuster Project
Before we dive into the ideas, let’s talk about why keychains deserve a permanent spot in your project rotation.
They use up tiny amounts of yarn. Most crochet keychains require only a few grams of yarn — sometimes less than ten — which means you can finally work through that rainbow of leftover scraps sitting in your yarn basket. Even those little bits of luxurious merino or chunky cotton that you saved “just in case” can be transformed into something beautiful.
They work up fast. Unlike a sweater or a blanket that takes weeks (or months), a keychain can be finished in under an hour. Some of the simpler ones take as little as fifteen or twenty minutes, which makes them ideal for those days when you need a quick win.
They make wonderful gifts. A handmade keychain is a thoughtful, personal gift that doesn’t require a large investment of time or materials. Pop them in a birthday card, tie them to a wrapped present, or bundle a few together as a set. People genuinely love receiving them.
They’re excellent for practicing new stitches. Because they’re small and low-stakes, keychains are perfect for trying out a new stitch or technique. If it doesn’t look quite right, you’ve only used a small amount of yarn and time.
They sell well at craft fairs. If you sell your crochet work, keychains are a great impulse-buy item at markets and fairs. They sit at an accessible price point, they’re easy to display, and they appeal to a broad audience.
What You’ll Need to Make Crochet Keychains
Most of the patterns below require only a few basic supplies:
Yarn in whatever weight suits your pattern — fingering, DK, and worsted are most common for keychains, though you can adapt almost any design to different weights.
A crochet hook to match your yarn. A 3.5mm to 5mm hook covers most keychain projects, but always check your pattern.
A keychain ring or lobster clasp. These are inexpensive and come in bulk packs online or at craft stores. Metal rings give a more polished look, while split rings are sturdy and practical.
A yarn needle for weaving in ends.
Stitch markers, scissors, and optional embellishments like buttons, beads, or small charms.
That’s it. Now let’s get into the ideas.
31 Quick and Easy Crochet Keychain Ideas
1. Classic Granny Square Keychain
The granny square is the icon of crochet, and a mini version makes a charming keychain. Work just two or three rounds in contrasting colors, fasten off, and attach it to a keyring. You can make a matching set in different color combinations for a fun collection.
2. Amigurumi Strawberry
A tiny crocheted strawberry is one of the most popular keychain designs for good reason — it’s instantly recognizable, adorable, and works up in under thirty minutes. Use a small amount of red yarn for the body, green for the leaves, and add tiny white embroidery stitches for seeds.
3. Amigurumi Avocado
The avocado craze may have peaked, but these little green guys remain a perennial favorite. Crochet a small oval in green, add a light green inner layer, and finish with a brown bead or a tiny crocheted pit. Your plant-loving friends will adore it.
4. Tassel Keychain
Tassels are the simplest keychain on this list and arguably the most satisfying to make. Wrap yarn around a small piece of cardboard, tie off the top, attach to a ring, and trim the ends. For a more elevated look, add a short crocheted chain or a few rows of single crochet above the tassel body.
5. Crochet Mushroom
Mushroom designs have absolutely taken over the crochet world in recent years, and a tiny mushroom keychain is no exception. Work the cap in red or brown with white spots, attach a cream or white stem, and finish with a small green leaf. It’s a woodland dream.
6. Mini Cactus
A tiny amigurumi cactus — often in a little pot — is another top-tier keychain idea. Use green yarn for the cactus body, a contrasting color for the pot, and add a few straight stitches or small beads as spines. You can make a whole succulent garden to hang from your bag.
7. Sunflower Keychain
Work a circle of yellow petals around a small brown center for a cheerful sunflower keychain. This one looks particularly beautiful in a slightly thicker yarn and can be stiffened with a light spray of fabric stiffener to hold its shape.
8. Heart Keychain
A crocheted heart is a classic for a reason. There are several methods to achieve the heart shape — some use two half-circles joined together, while others are worked in the round using strategic increases and decreases. Stuff it lightly with a tiny bit of fiberfill for a plump, three-dimensional look.
9. Rainbow Keychain
Work a short arc of rows in the colors of the rainbow, tapering the ends slightly, and finish with small white cloud details at each end. This is a wonderful stashbuster because you can use the tiniest scraps of each color. It’s also a lovely symbol of pride and positivity.
10. Mini Bow
A crocheted bow keychain is deceptively simple — you work a small rectangle, cinch it in the middle, and wrap a few loops of yarn to create the knot. Attach to a ring and you have an elegant, feminine accessory. Try it in pastel colors for a soft look or bright neons for something bolder.
11. Crochet Ice Cream Cone
A tiny soft-serve swirl of ice cream above a crocheted cone is pure summer joy. Use a natural tan or brown for the cone, your favorite ice cream color for the scoop, and consider adding a tiny cherry on top worked in red with a short green chain.
12. Pumpkin Keychain
These little orange pumpkins are perfect for autumn markets and make gorgeous seasonal gift toppers. The ribbed texture is achieved by crocheting through the back loop only, and a short brown chain with a tiny green leaf completes the look.
13. Mini Llama or Alpaca
Is there a more delightful keychain than a tiny fluffy llama? Work the body in white or cream, add tiny ears, and use a loop stitch or cut fringe to mimic the fluffy fleece. Finish with embroidered eyes and a tiny smile.
14. Crochet Moon
A crescent moon worked in golden yellow or silvery white makes an ethereal keychain. You can work it flat in rows, tapering the ends to form the points of the crescent, or stuff it slightly for a three-dimensional version. Add a few star-shaped beads on the chain for extra magic.
15. Bee Keychain
Striped in yellow and black with tiny crocheted or embroidered wings, a little bee is one of the most charming keychains you can make. These are beloved by gardeners and nature lovers and are consistently popular at craft fairs.
16. Macaroon Keychain
A pair of pastel macaron shells with a cream filling between them — this keychain is so realistic it might make people hungry. Work two flat circles in the same color, add a contrasting ring around the edges, and join them with a “filling” of a slightly raised ridge. Pastel pink, lavender, and mint green are classic macaron colors.
17. Mini Bunny
A tiny bunny with long floppy ears is one of the sweetest amigurumi keychain designs. It’s particularly popular for Easter, but honestly, who wouldn’t want a bunny keychain year-round? Work the body and head as small spheres, add elongated ears, and finish with a tiny pompom tail.
18. Cactus Flower
If a plain cactus isn’t enough, try a cactus in full bloom. Add a small crocheted flower in pink or yellow to the top of your cactus for a moment of color and joy. These look wonderful displayed together as a set.
19. Letter or Initial Keychain
Using a pattern for crochet letters (or improvising with careful increases and decreases), you can create a personalized initial keychain. These are incredibly popular as gifts and can be worked in any color to match the recipient’s style. Try it in a chunky yarn for faster results.
20. Donut Keychain
A donut worked in the round with a hole in the center is a perennial favorite. Use a natural tan or cream for the dough, add a layer of “icing” across the top in pink or chocolate, and finish with tiny French knot sprinkles. It’s impossibly cute.
21. Tiny Narwhal
For those who love a little whimsy, a tiny narwhal keychain is a showstopper. Work a small whale body in blue or gray, add a single crocheted spiral horn at the front, and finish with embroidered eyes and a smile. Wonderfully quirky and completely original.
22. Mini Sunhat
A tiny crocheted sunhat keychain is elegant and summery. Work in the round from the top down, increasing gradually to form the brim, and add a small ribbon or yarn bow at the base of the crown. It looks charming hanging from a tote bag.
23. Planet Earth Keychain
Using blue and green yarn worked in surface slip stitch or intarsia, you can create a miniature planet Earth. It’s a beautiful reminder of the world we’re trying to protect and makes a thoughtful gift for environmentally conscious friends.
24. Popcorn Stitch Ball
The popcorn stitch creates beautiful raised bobbles on the surface of your crochet, and a small round worked entirely in popcorn stitches makes a wonderfully textured keychain ball. It’s satisfying to make, tactile to hold, and incredibly eye-catching.
25. Mini Sneaker
This one takes a little more patience, but a tiny crocheted sneaker is a jaw-dropping keychain that generates enormous admiration. Work the sole, upper, and tongue separately and seam them together, finishing with a tiny shoelace. Sneakerheads will absolutely love it.
26. Cherry Keychain
Two small red spheres joined at the top with a short shared stem make an unmistakably sweet cherry keychain. This is one of the quickest amigurumi designs on this list and looks adorable in a glossy red yarn. A small green leaf worked flat and attached at the top finishes the look perfectly.
27. Geometric Diamond Shape
Not all keychains need to be amigurumi. A flat geometric diamond worked in two or three colors is modern, minimalist, and stylish. Use tapestry crochet or color changes to create a diamond pattern within the shape, and finish with a short fringe at the bottom point.
28. Mini Dinosaur
A tiny T-Rex or brontosaurus worked in green or purple is an endlessly fun keychain project. These are particularly popular with kids and can be personalized with different colors and expressions. The basic body shape is simpler than it looks — just a sphere for the body and head with tiny attached limbs.
29. Flower Bouquet
Bundle three or four tiny crocheted flowers together — different colors and styles — and tie them at the stems with a short length of yarn before attaching to a keyring. The result is a charming miniature bouquet that looks wonderful hanging from a handbag.
30. Cloud with Raindrops
A white or light gray cloud shape with several small teardrop shapes hanging from the bottom on short chains is whimsical and sweet. Make the raindrops in blue, lilac, or even rainbow colors for a more playful version. This is a lovely project for beginner crocheters looking to try something a little different.
31. Personalised Name Keychain
Using a series of small letter beads threaded on a chain between crochet elements, or by working individual letter squares in the style of a mini letter board, you can create a fully personalized name keychain. This is one of the most popular custom items at craft fairs and makes birthdays, graduations, and holidays feel extra special.
Tips for Making Your Crochet Keychains Last
Once you’ve made your keychain, a few simple finishing steps will make sure it holds up to daily use.
Weave in your ends securely and consider adding a small drop of fabric glue to keep them from working loose over time. Keychains get pulled, dropped, and knocked around far more than a decorative item sitting on a shelf.
For amigurumi keychains, make sure your tension is tight enough that the fiberfill doesn’t show through the stitches. Going down a hook size from what the yarn label recommends is common practice for amigurumi.
When attaching to the keyring, use a length of yarn looped through the top of your keychain and knotted securely around the ring, or use a small jump ring through a slip stitch loop for a more polished look. If you’re selling your keychains, a jump ring and lobster clasp give a professional finish that customers appreciate.
For keychains that will be handled frequently, consider using a cotton or acrylic yarn rather than a delicate fiber like mohair or bamboo, which can pill or distort with wear.
How to Display and Sell Crochet Keychains
If you’re planning to sell your keychains at craft fairs or online, presentation matters as much as the product itself.
A simple backing card made from kraft paper or card stock, punched with a hole at the top so the keychain can hang, instantly elevates your display. You can stamp or print your brand name and social media handle on the back for easy marketing.
At craft fair tables, hanging keychains from a small pegboard, a driftwood branch, or a ladder-style display stand allows customers to see each design clearly and reach them easily. Laying them flat in a tray or basket also works well and can look very appealing when organized by color.
For online sales, natural light is your best friend. Photograph your keychains against a clean white background, a wooden surface, or a piece of linen fabric for a warm, handmade aesthetic. Show them hanging from an actual bag for scale and context.
Pricing can be tricky for handmade items, but a good starting point is to calculate your materials cost, add your hourly rate for the time it took to make, and then research what similar items sell for in your market. Keychains in the range of five to fifteen dollars tend to sell well at craft fairs, while custom or more complex designs can command a higher price.
Final Thoughts
Crochet keychains are one of those small joys that remind you why you fell in love with this craft in the first place. They’re fast, fun, colorful, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re working through a mountain of yarn scraps, searching for the perfect handmade gift, or building up a stash of craft fair stock, these 31 ideas are a wonderful place to start.
If you try any of these designs, I’d love to see your finished keychains — share them on social media and tag Little World of Whimsy so I can admire your work. And if you’re looking for more stashbuster projects, check out the rest of the blog for quick crochet ideas that make the most of every last scrap of yarn.
Happy hooking!
