Amigurumi Monkey with Banana Keychain Free Crochet Pattern
If you’ve been searching for a crochet project that’s equal parts adorable and practical, this free amigurumi monkey with banana keychain pattern is about to become your new favorite make. Whether you’re a seasoned amigurumi crafter or someone who’s just discovered the joy of tiny crocheted creatures, this little monkey and his banana companion are a perfect combination of charm and functionality. You get a sweet, expressive monkey face stitched together with care, a tiny banana that works as a standalone charm, and the whole thing clips right onto a bag, zipper, or set of keys. It’s the kind of handmade gift that makes people stop and ask, “Did you make that yourself?”
The pattern uses basic amigurumi techniques — magic rings, single crochets, increases, and decreases — so even if you’re relatively new to crocheting in the round, you’ll find this project approachable. Take your time, follow each section carefully, and you’ll end up with something truly special. Let’s get into everything you need to know.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather your supplies. Having everything ready before you cast on will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Yarn: You’ll need a small amount of brown or tan yarn for the monkey’s body, a slightly lighter shade for the face and belly, cream or beige for the inner ears and muzzle, yellow for the banana, and a touch of dark brown or black for the tip of the banana. Sport weight or DK weight yarn works beautifully for keychains because the finished piece stays compact. Worsted weight works too if you prefer a chunkier, more textured look.
Hook: A 2.5mm or 3mm crochet hook is ideal for sport or DK weight yarn and will give you a nice tight fabric so the stuffing doesn’t show through. If you’re using worsted weight, bump up to a 3.5mm or 4mm hook.
Safety Eyes: Two 6mm black safety eyes for the monkey. If you’re making this for a small child, embroider the eyes instead using black yarn or embroidery floss, since safety eyes can be a choking hazard for little ones.
Stuffing: A small amount of fiberfill stuffing. You won’t need much — just enough to give the monkey’s head and body a little shape without making it stiff or overstuffed.
Other Supplies: Yarn needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends, stitch markers to keep track of your rounds, scissors, a split ring keychain finding or lobster clasp, and a small jump ring if you want to attach the pieces together professionally.
Optional: Black embroidery floss for the monkey’s smile, nostrils, and any other facial details you want to add.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
MR — Magic Ring
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
inc — increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next two stitches, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops)
FO — fasten off
BLO — back loop only
st — stitch
rnd — round
The Monkey Head
The head is the centerpiece of this keychain, and it’s worked in continuous rounds. Use your main brown or tan yarn to begin.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)
Rnds 6–10: Sc around. (30 sts each round)
Now is the time to attach your safety eyes. Position them between rounds 7 and 8, about 6 to 8 stitches apart. The exact spacing will depend on the size of your gauge, so hold them in place before committing to the final position. The eyes should look forward naturally and have a little friendly expression to them. Once you’re happy with the placement, push the safety eye shafts through the fabric and secure the washers on the inside.
Rnd 11: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 12: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)
Begin stuffing the head now. Add fiberfill gradually rather than all at once — you want a firm but not rock-hard finish. A head that’s too tightly stuffed will stretch the yarn and show the stuffing underneath.
Rnd 13: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)
Rnd 14: Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Use your yarn needle to close the remaining hole by weaving through the front loops of each remaining stitch and pulling tight. Weave in the end securely.
The Monkey Muzzle
The muzzle gives your monkey that classic, lovable primate look. Use your cream or beige yarn for this piece.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Don’t stuff the muzzle — it should lay flat against the face. Center it on the head, just below the safety eyes, and sew it in place using the yarn tail and a yarn needle. Work around the entire perimeter with small, even stitches that blend into the fabric.
Once the muzzle is secured, use black embroidery floss to stitch a small nose at the top — two tiny vertical stitches side by side work well. Then create the smile by stitching a gentle curved line across the lower portion of the muzzle. Don’t be afraid to take your time with this step; the embroidery is what gives your monkey its personality.
The Monkey Body
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnds 5–9: Sc around. (24 sts each round)
Rnd 10: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)
Rnd 11: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)
Stuff the body lightly before continuing.
Rnd 12: Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off and close the remaining hole as you did for the head. Sew the head to the body using the tail from either piece, positioning it so the monkey’s face looks forward and slightly upward for that endearing wide-eyed look.
The Ears
Make two in your main brown or tan color.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten each ear and sew it to the sides of the head in rounds 4 and 5, centering them roughly level with the safety eyes. The ears should stick out naturally from the sides of the head.
For the inner ear detail, cut a small oval or circle of felt in a lighter pink or cream color and either glue it to the ear with fabric glue or stitch it in place with matching thread. Alternatively, you can use the lighter yarn and a few straight stitches to suggest the inner ear without adding a separate piece.
The Arms
Make two in your main brown yarn.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnds 3–7: Sc around. (12 sts each round)
Rnd 8: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (8 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Don’t stuff the arms — leaving them unstuffed gives them a flat, floppy character that looks wonderfully natural on a small amigurumi figure. Sew them to the sides of the body in rounds 3 and 4, angling them slightly forward so the monkey looks like he’s ready to hold something. (Spoiler: he will be.)
The Tail
The tail is worked as a long, thin tube and is one of the most charming features of this design.
Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc into ring. (4 sts)
Rnds 2–15: Sc around. (4 sts each round)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Curl the tail into a loose spiral shape as you sew it to the back of the monkey’s body, starting at the base. A few stitches at the bottom of the curve will hold it in place and give it that characteristic monkey curl.
The Banana
The banana is a self-contained mini amigurumi that attaches to the keychain separately or can be sewn into one of the monkey’s hands. It’s worked in yellow yarn with a dark brown or black tip.
Tip (make with dark brown yarn):
Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc into ring. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (8 sts)
Fasten off and set aside.
Banana Body (yellow yarn):
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnds 3–8: Sc around. (12 sts each round)
Rnd 9: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (9 sts)
Rnd 10: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (6 sts)
Stuff the banana body lightly — it should be a little firm. Before closing completely, attach the dark brown tip piece to the narrow end. Fasten off and sew the tip securely into place.
To give the banana its curved shape, thread your yarn needle with a length of yellow yarn and run it through the center of the banana from one end to the other, pulling gently to create a natural curve. Knot and weave in the ends so the tension holds the shape.
Attaching the Keychain Hardware
This is where your little creation transforms from a cute figurine into an actual functional accessory, and it’s simpler than you might expect.
Take a small jump ring and thread it through the top of your monkey’s head — specifically through the loop formed by your magic ring or through a few stitches at the very top center of the head. If you closed the top tightly, you may need to use your yarn needle to gently open a small space between stitches to thread the jump ring through. Close the jump ring with pliers so it’s secure.
Attach your lobster clasp or split ring keychain finding directly to the jump ring. That’s it. Your monkey is officially a keychain.
For the banana, you have a few options. You can attach a second, smaller jump ring to the banana’s stem end and connect it to the same keychain ring so both pieces dangle together. You can also stitch the banana directly into the monkey’s hand, positioning the arm so it looks like the monkey is clutching his snack. A third option is to make a tiny crocheted loop at the top of the banana and attach it independently to a key ring or bag clip, giving the banana its own life as a standalone charm.
Finishing Touches and Styling Tips
Once all your pieces are assembled and your keychain hardware is in place, take a few minutes to give your monkey a final once-over. Check that all yarn ends are woven in tightly and won’t come loose with everyday use. If any seams look uneven, go over them with a few extra stitches from the back. A dab of fabric glue on each knotted end can add extra security, especially for a piece that will see regular handling.
You can customize your monkey in dozens of ways. Swap the brown yarn for gray to make a gorilla, or use a golden tan for a more sun-kissed look. Add a tiny crocheted hat using a few rounds of a contrasting color, or wrap a scrap of ribbon around the monkey’s neck as a little scarf. Some crafters like to give their monkey a bow or hair tuft at the top of the head, made from a few lengths of looped yarn trimmed to a pom-pom shape.
If you’re making this as a gift for a bag enthusiast, consider matching the yarn color to the recipient’s favorite bag or their team colors. Personalization is one of the greatest joys of handmade gifts, and a simple color swap can make this pattern feel entirely fresh and unique.
Tips for Tight, Neat Amigurumi Work
The most common challenge beginners face with amigurumi is keeping their tension consistent. If your stitches are too loose, the stuffing will show through and the finished figure will look puffy and uneven. Here are a few practices that make a big difference.
Always go down a hook size from what the yarn label recommends. Amigurumi fabric should be tight enough that you can barely see through the loops when you hold the work up to light. If you can clearly see through the stitches, your tension is too loose.
Use stitch markers religiously. In continuous rounds, it’s very easy to lose track of where each round begins and ends. A simple safety pin or locking stitch marker placed at the beginning of each round will save you from counting headaches and frogging mistakes.
The invisible decrease creates a much smoother fabric than a standard decrease, which can leave a small gap or visible hole. For the invisible decrease, insert your hook through the front loop only of the first stitch, then through the front loop only of the second stitch, pull up one loop, and complete as a single crochet. The result is a seamless reduction that blends beautifully into the surrounding stitches.
When sewing pieces together, use the same yarn you used for those pieces rather than a contrasting color, and work from the inside of the seam whenever possible. Mattress stitch creates an almost invisible join on round amigurumi pieces.
Gauge and Sizing
Because this is a keychain, you want the finished monkey to be small enough to be practical — roughly 3 to 4 inches tall without the keychain hardware, and the banana about 2 inches long. If your gauge is running large, simply switch to a smaller hook or a finer yarn. If your monkey comes out on the smaller side, that’s perfectly fine for a keychain — it just means your tension is particularly tight, which is actually a hallmark of clean amigurumi work.
There’s no wrong size for a project made with love, but for reference: with a 2.5mm hook and sport weight yarn, most crafters will land in that 3 to 3.5 inch range for the assembled monkey.
More Ways to Use This Pattern
While this design is written as a keychain, the same pieces scale beautifully into a standalone desk toy or nursery decoration. Simply use worsted weight yarn with a 3.5mm hook and increase your rounds by one extra increase round in each major piece. The result is a monkey that’s about 5 to 6 inches tall — perfect for sitting on a shelf, perched on a pencil cup, or tucked into a child’s Easter basket alongside some chocolate eggs and spring goodies.
You can also use this pattern as the foundation for a mobile or garland. Make several monkeys and bananas in different colors and hang them from a wooden dowel with varying lengths of yarn or ribbon. A rainbow of amigurumi monkeys is a striking nursery decoration that any new parent would treasure.
For the holidays, consider making a batch of these as stocking stuffers or tree ornaments. Replace the keychain hardware with a small loop of yarn sewn to the top of the head, and you have a handmade ornament that will be used year after year.
Final Thoughts
This amigurumi monkey with banana keychain free crochet
