31 Quick and Easy Crochet Keychains for Bags (Stashbuster!)
If you have been crocheting for any length of time, you know the struggle. A bin full of yarn scraps, leftover balls from bigger projects, and half-used skeins that are too pretty to throw away but too small to start anything new. Sound familiar? That is exactly the kind of pile that crochet keychains were made for. These tiny little projects are the perfect stashbuster, and they are so satisfying to finish in a single sitting that once you make one, you will want to make thirty more.
Today I am sharing 31 quick and easy crochet keychain ideas for bags, purses, totes, backpacks, and anything else you want to add a little handmade charm to. Whether you are a beginner looking for a first project or a seasoned crocheter wanting to use up every last yard of that beautiful sock yarn, there is something in this list for you.
Why Crochet Keychains Are the Ultimate Stashbuster Project
Before we dive into the ideas, let me tell you why keychains have become one of my absolute favorite go-to projects whenever I have leftover yarn.
They use very little yarn. Most keychains can be finished with less than 20 yards of worsted weight yarn, and some of the smaller amigurumi-style ones use even less. That means you can raid your scrap bin without guilt.
They work up fast. We are talking 30 minutes to a couple of hours at most, depending on the design. On a slow Sunday afternoon, you could easily make three or four.
They make incredible gifts. A handmade keychain is personal, affordable to make, and genuinely useful. Attach one to a gift bag instead of a ribbon, use it as a party favor, or bundle a few together as a stocking stuffer. People love them.
They are beginner-friendly. Most keychain patterns use only basic stitches like single crochet, magic rings, and slip stitches. If you can make a granny square, you can make a keychain.
And perhaps best of all, they are a genuinely satisfying way to practice a new stitch or technique without committing to a full-size project. Want to try Tunisian crochet? Make a keychain. Curious about bobble stitches? Make a keychain. It is low stakes and high reward.
What You Need to Make Crochet Keychains
One of the best things about this type of project is how minimal the supply list is. Here is what you will generally need:
Yarn: Any weight works, but worsted and DK weight are the easiest for beginners. Fingering or sock weight gives a more delicate result and is wonderful for tiny amigurumi charms. Cotton yarn works beautifully for food-shaped keychains, while acrylic is durable and easy to care for.
Hook: Match your hook to your yarn weight. For most worsted-weight keychains, a 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm hook is perfect.
Split ring or keychain hardware: You can find these at craft stores, dollar stores, or in bulk online. They are inexpensive and come in silver, gold, and rose gold finishes.
Stitch markers, scissors, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Poly-fil stuffing: If you are making 3D or amigurumi-style charms, you will need a tiny bit of stuffing to give them shape.
Safety eyes or embroidery thread: For any characters or animals with faces.
That is really all you need. Now let us get into the good stuff.
31 Crochet Keychain Ideas for Bags
1. Classic Mini Granny Square Keychain
You already know how to make a granny square, so why not turn one into a keychain? Work two or three rounds in your favorite color combination, stiffen it lightly with spray starch if you like, and attach it to a key ring. It is as classic as it gets and uses up even the tiniest yarn scraps.
2. Strawberry Amigurumi Charm
Crocheted strawberries are endlessly charming and surprisingly quick to make. Work a small sphere in red yarn, add a few yellow embroidery stitches for seeds, and top it with a little green leafy cap. This one is a crowd favorite and looks adorable hanging from a tote bag.
3. Boho Tassel Keychain
Tassels are about as fast as it gets. Cut lengths of yarn, loop them through a keyring, fold and tie them off, then trim the ends evenly. Add a few rows of wrapping at the top with a contrasting color for a more polished, bohemian look. You could make a dozen of these in an hour.
4. Mini Succulent Keychain
This one is a little more involved but worth every stitch. Work individual petal-shaped pieces in shades of green, layer them from smallest to largest, and stitch them together into a rosette shape. Nestle them into a tiny crocheted pot and attach to a key ring. It is tiny, adorable, and never needs watering.
5. Rainbow Loop Keychain
Crochet a small loop or ring in each color of the rainbow using single crochet worked in the round. Link them together like a chain before the last one is joined, and you have the most joyful little rainbow keychain imaginable.
6. Mushroom Amigurumi Keychain
Red cap with white spots, a little cream stem, and a tiny happy face if you like. The classic amigurumi mushroom is one of the most popular crochet charms out there, and for good reason. It is quick, uses minimal yarn, and absolutely everyone loves it.
7. Heart Keychain
A crocheted heart is one of the easiest 3D shapes to make and it is universally beloved. Work two identical flat heart shapes, join them together with a single crochet border while stuffing lightly as you go, and attach to a key ring. You could make these in every color for Valentine’s Day gifts.
8. Mini Cactus Keychain
Similar to the succulent but with a more defined character. Work a small cylindrical body, add a few prickly-looking embroidery stitches in a contrasting color, pop it into a tiny terracotta-colored pot, and finish with a tiny crochet flower on top. Desert lovers will obsess over this one.
9. Lucky Clover Keychain
Four-leaf clovers are symbols of good luck in many cultures, and a crocheted version makes a sweet gift for someone who needs a little extra fortune. Work four small rounded shapes, join them at the base, and attach a small crocheted stem. Simple, meaningful, and quick.
10. Mini Ghost Keychain
This one is particularly popular around Halloween but honestly too cute to be seasonal. A tiny round white body, black safety eyes or embroidered eyes, and a wavy bottom edge. Stuff it gently and it becomes a perfect little puff of spooky sweetness.
11. Pumpkin Keychain
Speaking of seasonal, a small crocheted pumpkin is one of the fastest amigurumi projects around. Work an oval in orange, pull a yarn tail through the center top to bottom to create the segmented pumpkin look, add a tiny green stem, and you are done. Beautiful for autumn bags and backpacks.
12. Tiny Dinosaur Keychain
Who says keychains have to be small and simple? A mini T-rex or brachiosaurus worked in chunky yarn makes a bold statement on any bag. Use a simple, geometric amigurumi pattern that keeps the construction clean, and choose a fun color like turquoise or lime green.
13. Lemon Slice Keychain
Work a small circle in yellow yarn, add white V-stitches radiating from the center to mimic the segments of a lemon slice, and edge it in a contrasting yellow or white. Fresh, fun, and perfect for summer tote bags.
14. Cloud Keychain
A soft, puffy little cloud made from white or pale grey yarn is utterly dreamy. Work a simple oval base, then add bobble stitches or small puff stitches across the top to create that signature cloud shape. Stuff lightly and it will look like it floated right off the page.
15. Mini Donut Keychain
Food-shaped keychains are perennially popular, and the donut is perhaps the most beloved of all. Work a torus shape (a ring) in a warm beige or tan, then add a flat “icing” layer on top in pink, chocolate, or any color you like. Finish with tiny sprinkle-colored embroidery stitches.
16. Bear Face Keychain
A simple flat circle becomes a bear face with the addition of two small ear bumps, a slightly darker muzzle, embroidered eyes, and a tiny nose. This is a wonderful beginner project because the construction is so simple but the result looks incredibly detailed.
17. Avocado Keychain
The avocado has been a beloved motif in crafts for years and it is not going anywhere. Work a green pear shape, add an inner ring of lighter green, and nestle a small brown sphere inside for the pit. Charming, quirky, and unmistakably fun.
18. Star Keychain
A flat five-pointed star worked in single crochet is one of the most satisfying shapes to crochet once you understand the increase and decrease logic. Make it puffy by joining two pieces together and stuffing, or keep it flat and stiffen it with a light coat of starch. Works beautifully in gold or silver yarn for a glam look.
19. Mini Jellyfish Keychain
Work a small dome shape for the bell in any color you like, then attach several lengths of yarn or chain stitches hanging from the bottom to represent tentacles. Add a simple face if you are feeling playful. This one dangles beautifully from a bag zipper pull.
20. Snowflake Keychain
A crocheted snowflake made with fine thread or fingering weight yarn and stiffened with fabric stiffener makes a stunning winter keychain. The six-pointed symmetry is deeply satisfying to work, and no two snowflakes need to look the same.
21. Tiny Book Keychain
For the book lovers in your life, a miniature crocheted book charm is an absolutely irresistible gift. Work a flat rectangular shape in any color for the cover, add a contrasting strip along one edge for the spine, and embroider a tiny title if you are feeling adventurous.
22. Flower Keychain
A simple five-petal flower in a bright color with a contrasting center is one of the most classic crochet motifs there is. Attach it to a keyring as a flat charm or work two and join them back to back for a sturdier, slightly puffy version.
23. Mini Ice Cream Cone Keychain
Work a small triangle in tan or brown for the cone, add a waffle pattern using embroidery or surface slip stitches, then top it with a puffy scoop in your favorite ice cream color. Add a tiny brown dot for a chocolate chip if you are feeling extra.
24. Bee Keychain
A striped amigurumi bee with tiny wings and little antennae is one of those keychains that makes everyone smile on sight. Work the body in alternating rounds of yellow and black, make two small flat oval wings in white or light grey, and attach them to the upper body. Sweet as honey.
25. Mini Toadstool Keychain
Similar to the mushroom but with a broader, flatter cap and a shorter stem, the toadstool has a more fairytale quality to it. Work the red-and-white version for maximum magic, or branch out into purple, blue, or any color your heart desires.
26. Popcorn Bag Charm
Crochet a small rectangular box shape in red and white stripes, then fill the top opening with small white puff stitches to mimic popcorn spilling over the edge. This one is endlessly fun and works up surprisingly fast.
27. Planet Keychain
A small sphere worked in shades of blue and green becomes Earth. A ringed sphere in tan and gold becomes Saturn. A tiny red oval becomes Mars. The possibilities for a solar system collection of keychains are delightful, and they make a perfect science-loving gift set.
28. Tiny Sneaker Keychain
A miniature crocheted sneaker is one of those projects that looks far more complicated than it actually is. Work a flat sole, build up the sides, add a tongue, and tie on a tiny yarn lace. Streetwear enthusiasts will adore this one.
29. Rainbow and Cloud Keychain
Combine the rainbow loop idea with a small cloud base for a cheerful, whimsical charm that looks like it came straight from a children’s storybook. Work the cloud in white, then attach arching stripes of single crochet in rainbow order above it.
30. Mini Yarn Ball Keychain
A crochet keychain shaped like a tiny ball of yarn is wonderfully meta. Work a small sphere, then use a contrasting color to wrap surface stitches around it in an X pattern to mimic the look of wound yarn. Every crocheter you know will get the joke immediately.
31. Letter or Initial Keychain
End with the most personal option of all: a crocheted letter. Whether it is a simple stiffened flat letter sewn from chain stitches and slip stitches, or a more sculpted 3D form, an initial keychain is a thoughtful, customizable gift. Make a set for the whole family in their favorite colors.
Tips for Making Your Crochet Keychains Last
Now that you have 31 ideas to work through, here are a few practical tips to make sure your finished keychains stay looking beautiful for as long as possible.
Choose your yarn wisely. For keychains that will see daily use (on a bag that gets tossed around, thrown into cars, and dragged through life), acrylic and cotton yarns tend to hold up better than wool. They are more resistant to pilling and easier to clean.
Weave in your ends securely. A keychain that unravels because the ends worked loose is a sad thing. Weave in at least twice, in two different directions, and add a tiny drop of fabric glue or Fray Check if you want extra security.
Use sturdy key rings. Cheap key rings can open up over time and lose the charm. Look for split rings rather than simple open rings, and choose a weight appropriate to the size of your charm.
Add stiffener if needed. Flat shapes like stars, flowers, and granny squares benefit enormously from a light spray of fabric stiffener or a quick dip in a solution of water and school glue. It makes them hold their shape and look more polished.
Consider the attachment point. For amigurumi-style charms, sew the key ring directly through the top of the charm using a short length of chain and a jump ring for the cleanest finish.
Making a Gift Set with Your Crochet Keychains
One of my favorite things to do with a batch of finished keychains is bundle them into a little gift set. Choose a theme (fruit, animals, celestial, seasonal) and make three to five matching or coordinating charms. Bundle them together with a ribbon or a small piece of twine and tuck them into a kraft paper bag.
They are perfect as birthday gifts, teacher appreciation presents, bridesmaid gifts, or just a little something to brighten a friend’s day. Add a handwritten tag that says “handmade with love” and you have something genuinely special for almost no cost at all.
Final Thoughts
There is something uniquely joyful about a project that turns a few yards of leftover yarn into something beautiful and functional. Crochet keychains have that magic in spades. They are generous with beginners, satisfying for experienced crocheters, and endlessly giftable. With 31 ideas to choose from, your scrap bin does not stand a chance.
Pick one that calls to you, grab whatever yarn is sitting on your desk right now, and see what you can make in the next hour. I promise you will be reaching for another idea before the first one is even off the hook.
Happy crocheting, and happy stashbusting!
