Crochet Rainbow Keychain Pattern PDF Step By Step
There is something quietly magical about making something small. A keychain takes less than an hour, uses only scraps of yarn, and yet when you hold the finished piece in your hand, it feels like a genuine achievement. The crochet rainbow keychain has become one of the most beloved beginner projects in the fiber arts community for exactly this reason. It is colorful, quick, portable, and endlessly giftable. Whether you are brand new to crochet or a seasoned maker looking for a satisfying afternoon project, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create your own beautiful crochet rainbow keychain.
This pattern is designed to be accessible and detailed. By the end of this post, you will have all the instructions you need to complete the project, understand the techniques involved, and feel confident enough to make several for gifts, craft fairs, or simply to brighten up your own keys. If you prefer to have a printable version to take to your crafting corner, a downloadable PDF format of this pattern is something you can easily save or print directly from your browser.
What Makes the Rainbow Keychain So Special
Before diving into the pattern itself, it is worth spending a moment on why this particular design has captured so many hearts. The rainbow has long been a symbol of hope, joy, and inclusivity, and when rendered in soft yarn with the gentle texture of crochet, it becomes something warm and personal rather than just a symbol. People wear or carry rainbow items to express pride, optimism, and creativity.
From a craft perspective, the rainbow keychain also happens to be a perfect teaching tool. It introduces color changes, working with multiple strands, basic shaping, and finishing techniques, all in a compact project that you can complete before the end of a single afternoon. It is the kind of pattern that beginners keep coming back to because every version comes out a little differently depending on yarn choice, tension, and color selection.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this pattern is how little it requires. You do not need to buy anything special or invest in expensive supplies. Here is what to gather before you start.
You will need small amounts of worsted weight yarn in the colors of the rainbow. Traditional rainbow colors go in order from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, but you are absolutely free to customize. Pastel rainbows are incredibly popular right now, and you can also do a monochromatic version in shades of a single color if you prefer a subtler look. Because you only need small amounts of each color, this is an ideal project for using up yarn scraps that have been sitting in your stash.
For the hook, a size 4mm or 5mm crochet hook works beautifully with worsted weight yarn. If you are using a thinner yarn such as DK weight or sport weight, size down to a 3.5mm hook. The gauge does not need to be precise for this project, which makes it wonderfully forgiving.
You will also need a keychain ring, which you can find at any craft store, hardware store, or online supplier. These small metal or brass rings usually come in packs and cost very little. A pair of scissors, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and a ruler or measuring tape round out the supply list. Some makers also like to add a small lobster clasp between the keychain ring and the crocheted piece for extra security and ease of clipping to a bag or set of keys.
Understanding the Stitches
This pattern relies on only a few basic crochet stitches, which makes it ideal for beginners. If you are already comfortable with these, feel free to skip ahead. If you are newer to crochet, take a few minutes to practice each stitch before you begin the project.
The chain stitch forms the foundation of almost every crochet project and this one is no exception. To make a chain, simply wrap the yarn over your hook and pull it through the loop already on the hook. That creates one chain stitch.
The slip stitch is the shortest of all crochet stitches and is used in this pattern primarily for joining rounds and for the final loop that attaches the rainbow to the keychain ring. Insert your hook into the designated stitch, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion.
The single crochet stitch is the backbone of this pattern. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop so that you have two loops on your hook, then yarn over again and pull through both loops. You have made one single crochet.
The half double crochet stitch creates a slightly taller stitch with a softer texture. Yarn over first, then insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop so you have three loops on your hook, then yarn over once more and pull through all three loops at once.
These four stitches are all you need. Once you are comfortable with them, you are ready to begin.
The Pattern: Step By Step
Setting Up Your Workspace
Before you begin, cut lengths of yarn in each color you plan to use. Working with yarn scraps is easy, but having your colors organized and nearby will make the color change process much smoother. Lay them out in rainbow order so you can grab each one without searching.
Step One: Create the Arch Foundation
Start with your first color, which will be the innermost arch of your rainbow. In a traditional design, this is red, but you may choose whichever color you want for the innermost curve.
Make a slip knot and place it on your hook. Chain 15. This foundation chain will form the base of your first arch. If you want a larger rainbow, chain 17 or 19. If you prefer a smaller, more compact keychain, chain 11 or 13. Just keep the number odd so your design remains symmetrical.
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work one single crochet in each chain across. You will have 14 single crochet stitches if you chained 15.
Row 2: Chain 1, turn your work. Single crochet across all stitches. At the end of this row, do not turn. Instead, work one or two additional single crochet stitches along the side of your rows, then continue down the bottom of your foundation chain, working one single crochet in each chain. When you reach the end, work one or two single crochet stitches up the other side to close the oval shape.
Slip stitch into the top of your first single crochet from Row 1 to join. Fasten off, leaving a tail for weaving in later.
You now have your first arch, a small, plump oval shape in your first color.
Step Two: Create the Remaining Arches
The beauty of the rainbow keychain is that each arch is slightly different from the last. Each successive arch is made a little longer and slightly wider to create the layered effect of a rainbow.
For the second arch, join your second color yarn and chain 17. Repeat the same process as the first arch, working two rows of single crochet across the chain and then working around the entire piece to create a closed oval. Each arch adds approximately two to four stitches to the chain compared to the previous one to create that gentle arc.
For the third arch, chain 19 and repeat.
For the fourth arch, chain 21 and repeat.
For the fifth arch, chain 23 and repeat.
For the sixth and final arch, chain 25 and repeat.
As you complete each arch, lay them next to one another in order. They should graduate in size, each one slightly larger than the last.
Step Three: Stack and Sew the Arches Together
Now comes the assembly, which is the step that transforms a handful of colorful ovals into a proper rainbow. This part requires a bit of patience, but it is straightforward.
Lay your arches in rainbow order from smallest to largest. Thread your yarn needle with a length of the yarn in one of the rainbow colors, or use a neutral color if you prefer the seams to be less visible.
Align the bottom curves of all the arches. They will all share the same bottom edge, which is what creates the rainbow silhouette. Using your yarn needle, whipstitch or mattress stitch through all the layers at the bottom edge, sewing them together securely. Work from one end to the other, making sure all the layers remain aligned and in order.
Once you have sewn across the bottom edge, turn the piece over and secure any loose ends. Give the rainbow a gentle squeeze and reshape it with your fingers. The arches should fan out naturally above the sewn edge, each one visible above the last like layers of color in a real rainbow.
Step Four: Add the Clouds (Optional but Adorable)
Many versions of the crochet rainbow keychain include small white cloud shapes at the base. These add a whimsical, finished look and also help to hide the joined base, making the piece look tidy from every angle. This step is optional, but it is highly recommended.
To make a cloud, use white or off-white yarn and a 4mm hook. Make a magic ring and work six single crochet stitches into the ring. Pull the ring closed. This creates a small, flat circle.
Make three or four of these small circles. Then arrange them in a loose cluster and sew them together at the edges to form a lumpy, cloud-like shape. You will make two clouds, one for each side of the rainbow base.
Sew one cloud to each end of the rainbow’s bottom edge, covering the raw edge of the joined arches. Secure firmly and weave in all ends.
Step Five: Attach the Keychain Ring
This is the final structural step. Thread a length of yarn through the center of your keychain ring. Fold the yarn in half so you have a doubled strand. Draw the folded end through the top of the center arch of your rainbow, creating a lark’s head knot. Pull snug.
If you prefer a more secure attachment, you can crochet a small chain of six to eight stitches, thread it through the keychain ring, and then sew the ends of the chain firmly to the back of the rainbow’s top arch. This creates a short loop that holds the keychain ring neatly without any risk of slipping.
Step Six: Finishing
Weave in all remaining yarn ends using your yarn needle. Work each end through several stitches on the back of the piece in different directions to ensure they will not unravel with use. Trim any excess yarn close to the surface.
Give the finished keychain a light press with a damp cloth if needed to help it lie flat and take on its final shape. Do not use a hot iron directly on acrylic yarn, as it can melt or flatten the texture. For natural fibers like cotton or wool, a light steam works beautifully.
Tips for Customizing Your Rainbow Keychain
Once you have made your first rainbow keychain, you will likely want to make more. The good news is that this pattern is endlessly customizable.
Color is the most obvious place to experiment. Pastel versions using soft pink, lavender, mint, and butter yellow are wildly popular and look gorgeous hanging from a tote bag. Jewel tone versions in deep sapphire, emerald, ruby, and amethyst feel rich and luxurious. You can also do a sunset rainbow using peach, coral, warm yellow, and soft purple to capture those evening sky tones.
Size is another easy variable to adjust. By adding or subtracting stitches from your foundation chain, you can make a tiny keychain charm or a larger decorative piece to hang from a backpack zipper. Some makers scale up significantly and create wall hangings using the same technique with bulky yarn and a larger hook.
Texture is a wonderful way to add interest. Try using a fuzzy chenille yarn for one or two of the arches, or combine a smooth cotton yarn with a slightly sparkly metallic thread held together for a subtle shimmer effect on a particular arch.
You can also add embellishments after the fact. Small beads, sequins, or even tiny embroidered flowers add personality without requiring additional crochet skills.
Making These for Gifts and Craft Fairs
The crochet rainbow keychain makes an exceptional gift for almost anyone. It is small enough to mail in a standard envelope, thoughtful enough to feel handmade and personal, and bright enough to bring a smile without being overwhelming. For children, it is a cheerful addition to a backpack. For adults, it is a touch of whimsy in everyday life. For someone going through a hard time, the rainbow carries a message of hope without needing any words.
If you are selling at a craft fair, rainbow keychains are perennial bestsellers precisely because they appeal to such a wide range of people. They are easy to display, easy to package, and priced accessibly enough that shoppers feel comfortable adding one to a purchase. Make them in multiples during your prep time so you have plenty of stock. Consider also making matching sets, a rainbow keychain paired with a small rainbow bookmark or a little crochet coin purse in coordinating colors creates a lovely bundle that sells itself.
Saving the Pattern as a PDF
For those who prefer to work from a printed pattern rather than a screen, this entire guide can be saved as a PDF directly from your browser. On most computers, you can use the print function and then choose to save as a PDF rather than sending it to a physical printer. This gives you a clean, printable version of all the steps that you can take with you to a craft circle, keep in your pattern binder, or share with a friend who is learning to crochet.
If you find this pattern helpful, consider bookmarking this page so you can return to it later or share it with fellow makers in your crafting community.
A Few Final Thoughts
Crochet is one of those crafts that rewards patience and play in equal measure. The rainbow keychain is a project that celebrates both of those qualities. It is small enough to finish in a sitting, joyful enough to give as a gift without a second thought, and versatile enough to become a personal creative outlet every time you pick it up. No two will ever come out exactly the same, and that is part of what makes each one special.
Whether you are making your first one nervously following each step or your fiftieth one from memory while listening to a podcast, there is something genuinely satisfying about transforming a few scraps of colorful yarn into something small, beautiful, and useful.
Happy crocheting.
