How to Crochet a #1 Dad Award Ribbon Keychain — Father’s Day 2025 Tutorial

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for a handmade gift that’s thoughtful, practical, and absolutely adorable, you’ve landed in exactly the right place. This crochet tutorial will walk you through how to make a #1 Dad Award Ribbon Keychain from start to finish — a perfect Father’s Day 2025 gift that any dad will love. Whether he clips it onto his keys, his work bag, or his gym bag, this little crochet charm is going to make him smile every single time he sees it.

This pattern is beginner-friendly, uses only a small amount of yarn, and comes together in just a couple of hours. It’s the kind of project you can whip up while watching a movie, and the end result looks like you spent days on it. Let’s get into it.

Why Crochet a Father’s Day Gift?

Before we dive into the tutorial, let’s talk about why a handmade crochet gift is one of the best things you can give a dad on Father’s Day.

Handmade gifts carry an emotional weight that store-bought items simply can’t replicate. When a dad sees a keychain that someone sat down and made stitch by stitch with him in mind, it means something. It’s a tangible reminder that he was worth someone’s time, creativity, and love. That’s a powerful thing to carry around in your pocket.

Crochet keychains are also incredibly practical. They’re small enough to be portable, durable enough to last for years if made with good yarn, and customizable in ways that mass-produced gifts can never be. You can make it in his favorite colors, add his initials, or even make a few to hang on a bag together.

And honestly? Crochet is just fun. There’s something deeply satisfying about transforming a ball of yarn and a small hook into something that actually looks like an award ribbon. If you’ve been on the fence about learning to crochet or trying a new project, this is a wonderful place to start.

Materials You’ll Need

One of the best things about this project is that it’s incredibly affordable. You likely already have most of these supplies at home if you crochet at all. Here’s what you’ll need:

Yarn: A small amount of worsted weight yarn in two or three colors. For a classic award ribbon look, consider using gold or yellow for the center circle, red or blue for the ribbon tails, and a contrasting color for any detail work. You won’t need more than a few yards of each color, so this is a perfect stash-buster project.

Crochet Hook: A size 4mm (G/6) or 5mm (H/8) hook works well with worsted weight yarn. If you’re using a lighter yarn, adjust your hook size accordingly.

Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends and assembling pieces.

Scissors: For cutting yarn.

Keychain Ring: A small metal split ring or lobster claw clasp. You can find these at any craft store, dollar store, or online for just a few cents each.

Stitch Marker: Optional, but helpful for keeping track of your rounds.

Polyfill or Stuffing: A tiny pinch if you want your center circle to have a slight puff to it. This is completely optional.

Embroidery Floss or Fine Yarn: In black or a contrasting color, for stitching “#1 DAD” onto the front of the circle if you want to add text.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.

ch — chain

sl st — slip stitch

sc — single crochet

hdc — half double crochet

dc — double crochet

inc — increase (2 single crochets in one stitch)

MR — magic ring (also called magic circle)

FO — fasten off

If you’re brand new to crochet, take a few minutes to practice the magic ring and basic single crochet stitches before jumping into this project. There are lots of great video tutorials for those basics on YouTube, and once you’ve got them down, this pattern will feel very manageable.

Part One: The Center Circle (The Medal)

This is the main body of your award ribbon. It’s worked in the round and will become the gold circular center piece.

Round 1: Start with a magic ring. Chain 1, then work 6 single crochets into the ring. Pull the ring closed. You should have 6 stitches. (6 sc)

Round 2: Work 2 single crochets into each stitch around. (12 sc)

Round 3: Single crochet in the next stitch, 2 single crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from to all the way around. (18 sc)

Round 4: Single crochet in the next 2 stitches, 2 single crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from to all the way around. (24 sc)

Round 5: Single crochet in the next 3 stitches, 2 single crochets in the following stitch. Repeat from to all the way around. (30 sc)

At this point, if you want a slightly larger circle, you can add one more round following the same increase pattern, which would give you 36 stitches. However, 30 stitches makes a nice compact keychain-sized medallion.

Slip stitch to the first stitch of the round to close, then fasten off and leave a tail for weaving in.

If you’d like the circle to be lightly stuffed, do not fasten off after round 5. Instead, make a second circle following rounds 1 through 4 only (stopping at 24 stitches), then use your yarn needle to sew the two circles together around the edge, stuffing lightly before you close it up entirely. This gives your medallion a satisfying slight puff that looks extra polished.

Part Two: The Decorative Border (Optional but Gorgeous)

Adding a scalloped or pointed border around your medallion gives it that classic award ribbon look with that starburst or sunburst edge. This step is optional but highly recommended because it’s what really makes this look like a real first-place ribbon.

Attach a new color of yarn (or your same color if you prefer a monochrome look) to any stitch around the edge of your completed circle.

Border Round: Chain 3, skip 1 stitch, slip stitch into the next stitch. Repeat from to all the way around the circle.

This creates small loops or scallops around the outside edge. For a more dramatic pointed look, you can chain 4 or 5 instead of 3. Experiment and see what you like.

Alternatively, for a sunburst effect, try this in each stitch around the border: slip stitch, chain 3, 2 double crochets, chain 3, slip stitch into the same stitch. This creates little pointed petals all the way around.

Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Part Three: The Ribbon Tails

The ribbon tails are what transform this from a simple crochet circle into an award ribbon. They hang below the medallion and give the whole piece that iconic look.

You’ll make two ribbon tails — one for each side. Each tail is worked as a flat piece.

Tail (make 2):

Chain 4.

Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. (3 sc) Chain 1, turn.

Rows 2 through 10: Single crochet across. Chain 1, turn at the end of each row.

After row 10, you’re going to create the classic V-shaped notch at the bottom of the ribbon tail. To do this, single crochet into the first stitch, then slip stitch into the next stitch (the middle stitch), then single crochet into the last stitch. Fasten off.

This creates a small indentation in the center bottom of the tail, giving it that classic pointed ribbon look. If you want a more dramatic V, you can chain 1 and skip the middle stitch entirely rather than slip stitching into it.

Make two of these tails and set them aside.

Part Four: Assembling the Ribbon

Now comes the fun part — putting it all together.

Lay your two ribbon tails side by side, pointing downward, with a small gap between them. Using your yarn needle and a length of yarn, sew the tops of both tails together at the center top, or leave them slightly separate for a more spread-out ribbon look. Either way works great.

Next, position your medallion circle centered over the top portion of the ribbon tails. The circle should overlap the top of the tails slightly, covering where they meet. Using your yarn needle, sew the circle securely to the ribbon tails. Weave through several times to make sure it’s sturdy — this is a keychain, after all, and it’ll see some daily use.

Take a moment to make sure everything looks centered and even before you tie off your sewing thread. Adjust as needed.

Part Five: Attaching the Keychain Ring

This step is simple but important. You want your keychain attachment to be secure.

Take a short length of yarn (about 6 to 8 inches) and fold it in half. Thread the folded end through the keychain ring. Now bring the two loose ends of the yarn through the folded loop and pull to create a lark’s head knot securing the yarn to the ring.

Using your yarn needle, sew both ends of the yarn firmly to the top back of your medallion circle. Weave through the stitches multiple times and then knot securely. Trim any excess and weave in the ends as neatly as possible.

Alternatively, if you’d like a cleaner look, you can crochet a small chain loop directly onto your medallion during the last round of the border and feed the keychain ring through that loop.

Part Six: Adding the “#1 DAD” Detail

This is the finishing touch that takes your ribbon from a pretty crochet charm to a genuine personalized Father’s Day gift.

There are a few ways to add text to the front of your medallion:

Embroidery: Using a yarn needle and a small amount of contrasting yarn or embroidery floss, stitch the numbers and letters directly onto the surface of the medallion. A simple back stitch works beautifully here. Write “#1 DAD” in block letters, or just “DAD” if the circle is on the smaller side.

Iron-On Letters: If embroidery feels intimidating, small iron-on letters from a craft store can work on felt or fabric, but they won’t adhere well to yarn directly. In this case, you’d cut a small circle of felt, iron the letters onto the felt, and then glue or sew the felt circle onto the front of your crocheted medallion.

Fabric Paint or Puffy Paint: A fine-tipped fabric paint pen can be used to draw letters directly onto the medallion. Let it dry completely before handling.

Mini Sticker or Flair: Some crafters like to hot glue a small button, rhinestone, or decorative element to the center of the medallion instead of text. A small gold button center gives a very polished look.

Whichever method you choose, let everything dry or set fully before attaching the keychain ring and presenting the gift.

Finishing Touches and Care Tips

Once your keychain is fully assembled, weave in all remaining ends carefully using your yarn needle. Tug gently on all the seams to make sure everything is secure. If anything feels loose, reinforce it now rather than later.

To give the piece a little extra polish, you can block it lightly. Mist your finished keychain with a little water, shape it gently with your fingers, and let it dry flat. This evens out the stitches and gives the whole piece a more finished, professional look.

For care, advise the lucky recipient that if the keychain gets dirty, it can be hand washed gently in cool water with a drop of mild dish soap, then laid flat to dry. Avoid putting it in the washing machine, as this will felt the yarn and potentially distort the shape.

If you want extra durability — especially if the dad in your life is hard on his belongings — consider brushing the back of the finished piece with a thin layer of fabric stiffener or clear-drying craft glue. This creates a backing that helps the keychain hold its shape over time.

Making It Your Own: Customization Ideas

One of the best things about making a gift yourself is the ability to personalize it. Here are some ideas to make this Father’s Day crochet keychain even more special.

Use his favorite colors instead of traditional award-ribbon red and gold. Does he love his football team? Make it in team colors. Is he a golfer? Use green and white. Is he a total classic dad who loves navy and khaki? Go for it.

Make a set of matching keychains — one for his keys and one for his gym bag or work bag. They don’t have to be identical. You could vary the ribbon tail colors or the border style for each one.

Add a small charm alongside the ribbon. A tiny crochet football, a little tool shape, a mini fish (for the fishing dad), or even just a simple heart alongside the medal adds personality.

Write a personal message instead of “#1 DAD.” Some options: “Best Dad,” “Super Dad,” “World’s Okayest Dad” (for the dad with a sense of humor), or even just his name.

If you’re giving this to a grandfather, swap the text for “#1 Grandpa” or “Pop Pop.” This pattern works just as beautifully as a Grandpa keychain or a Pop’s Day gift.

Tips for Beginners

If this is one of your first crochet projects, welcome! Here are a few tips to help things go smoothly.

Tension matters more than you think. If your stitches are too tight, the circle will curl up at the edges and won’t lie flat. If they’re too loose, you’ll see gaps in the fabric. Practice on a small swatch before starting the final piece and adjust your tension until the fabric feels firm but not stiff.

Count your stitches at the end of every round. It only takes a second and saves a lot of frustration. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round so you always know where you started.

Don’t be afraid to frog (undo) your work if something doesn’t look right. Every experienced crocheter has pulled out entire projects and started over. It’s part of the process, not a sign that you’re doing something wrong.

Watch video tutorials alongside written patterns. Sometimes seeing a stitch done in real time makes all the difference. YouTube has an enormous library of free crochet instruction videos for every skill level.

A Note on Gifting

When you present this keychain, consider packaging it in a small gift box or a little organza bag for an extra-special presentation. Tuck in a handwritten note that says something like, “I made this for you, stitch by stitch, because you’re worth every one.”

Handmade gifts deserve a moment to be received properly. Don’t just toss this in a card — present it. Let him know you made it. That detail, the fact that you sat down and created something with your own two hands specifically for him, is the whole point.

Happy crocheting, and happy Father’s Day 2025 to all the wonderful dads out there. You’ve got this!