How to Make a Crochet AirTag Purse Charm or Key Ring: Free DIY Pattern

If you’ve been looking for a way to keep track of your keys, bags, or everyday essentials without sacrificing style, you’ve landed in exactly the right place. This free crochet pattern walks you through how to make an adorable AirTag holder that doubles as a purse charm or key ring. It’s beginner-friendly, quick to work up, and endlessly customizable — meaning you can stitch one up in your favorite colors, add little embellishments, and have something that looks boutique-worthy while keeping your belongings safely trackable.

Whether you’re making one for yourself, gifting it to a friend, or selling at a craft fair, this pattern has everything you need. Let’s dive in.

What Is an AirTag and Why Put It in a Crochet Holder?

Apple AirTags are small, coin-shaped tracking devices that sync with the Find My app on your iPhone. You can attach one to just about anything — your keys, your purse, your luggage, your dog’s collar — and locate it from your phone whenever you need to. They’re brilliant little gadgets, but on their own they’re not particularly pretty. The flat white disc doesn’t exactly scream “accessory.”

That’s where crochet comes in. A handmade crochet holder lets you nestle your AirTag inside a snug, fabric-covered case that you can then attach to a key ring, a bag strap, or a purse zipper pull. The result is functional, fashionable, and completely your own. You’ll see these little charms all over Etsy and Pinterest, and once you know the pattern, you’ll wonder why you ever paid for one.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you cast on (or rather, make your slip knot), gather these supplies. The beauty of this project is that it uses very little yarn, so it’s a perfect stash-buster.

Yarn: Any worsted weight yarn works well for a sturdy holder. Cotton yarn is especially nice because it has very little stretch, which means your AirTag stays snug and doesn’t wiggle out. You’ll only need a small amount — easily less than 20 yards — so this is a great project for yarn scraps or small accent skeins. If you want a softer look, a cotton-acrylic blend gives you the best of both worlds.

Hook Size: A 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm crochet hook pairs nicely with worsted cotton. Going down a hook size from what’s recommended on your yarn label will create a tighter fabric, which is exactly what you want here so the AirTag doesn’t slip through the stitches.

Notions:
One Apple AirTag (the holder is sized specifically for the standard AirTag, which measures about 31.9 mm in diameter and 8 mm tall)
One split ring or lobster claw clasp for attaching to keys or a bag
One short length of chain or a jump ring if you want a dangling charm style
A yarn needle for weaving in ends
Scissors
Optional: stitch markers, small buttons, charms, or ribbon for decoration

Understanding the Pattern: A Few Notes Before You Begin

This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up, essentially creating two small circles that are joined together around the AirTag like a sandwich. You’ll make a front piece and a back piece, then join them while inserting the AirTag, leaving a small opening at the top for the attachment ring to poke through.

The pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout. If you’re used to UK terms, here’s a quick reference: a US single crochet (sc) is a UK double crochet, and a US slip stitch (sl st) is a UK slip stitch (same on that one).

Abbreviations used in this pattern:

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
MR = magic ring (also called magic loop or adjustable ring)
st = stitch
rnd = round

Free Crochet AirTag Holder Pattern

Front and Back Circles (Make 2)

Round 1: Start with a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the tail to close the ring. (6 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)

Sl st into the next stitch to finish. Leave a tail on the first circle for weaving in later. For the second circle, do not fasten off — you’ll use this working yarn to join the two pieces.

At this point, your circle should be just slightly larger than the AirTag itself. If it looks too small, don’t worry — crochet fabric has a bit of give, and you want a snug fit. If it looks significantly too small or too large, you may need to adjust your hook size by half a size in either direction.

Joining the Two Circles

Hold both circles with their wrong sides facing each other (so the neat side of each faces outward). Place your AirTag between them before you start joining so you don’t forget to put it in.

Using the working yarn from the second circle, insert your hook through the corresponding stitch on both circles at once and work sc through both layers. Continue working sc through both layers around, essentially seaming the two circles together while encasing the AirTag inside.

When you get to about the last 10 stitches, you’ll notice you’re almost all the way around. This is intentional — stop when you have roughly those 10 stitches left open at the top. These last stitches form the opening where your attachment will go.

Creating the attachment loop:

At this open gap, ch 10 (or however many chains you need to form a loop that fits over your chosen key ring or clasp hardware). Sl st back into the first chain to form a loop, then sc around the base of the loop a few times to reinforce it. Alternatively, if you prefer a cleaner finish, you can leave a small gap, insert a split ring directly, and then seam the last stitches around the ring itself.

Continue working sc through both layers for the remaining stitches to fully close the circle. Sl st to join. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Finishing Touches

Once your ends are woven in and your AirTag is safely tucked inside, give the whole piece a little squeeze to make sure everything feels secure. The AirTag should feel snug but not so tight that the fabric is puckering or distorting.

If you used cotton yarn and your circle looks a bit wonky, a light spritz of water and a gentle blocking with your hands can smooth everything out beautifully. Pin it into a flat circle on a foam mat or a folded towel and let it dry. You’ll be amazed at the difference blocking makes.

Attach your key ring, lobster claw clasp, or chain through the loop at the top, and your charm is complete.

Customization Ideas

One of the absolute best things about making your own AirTag holder is that you can personalize it completely. Here are some ideas to get your creative mind going.

Color blocking: Work the front circle in one color and the back circle in another. When you join them, you get a fun two-tone look that’s especially striking with contrasting colors like mustard yellow and navy, or blush pink and sage green.

Stripes: Work each round in a different color for a cheerful striped effect. This looks especially cute in rainbow colors or in team colors if you’re making one as a sports fan gift.

Face design: Turn your charm into a little character by embroidering eyes, a nose, and a mouth onto one of the circles before joining. Add small crocheted ears on the top for a bear, cat, or bunny. These are incredibly popular and adorable as gifts for kids or for pet bags.

Floral embellishment: Crochet a tiny flower using the same yarn or a complementary color and stitch it onto the front of the finished holder. Even a simple five-petal flower worked flat looks charming against a solid-colored circle.

Monogram or initials: If you’re comfortable with surface slip stitch or embroidery, adding an initial to the front of the holder makes it feel polished and personal. This is a lovely touch for gifts.

Boho fringe: Cut short lengths of yarn and attach them around the bottom edge of the circle using a lark’s head knot. Trim the fringe evenly for a tasseled, bohemian look that swings as you walk.

Seasonal themes: Use orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, pastels for spring and Easter. Keep the same basic pattern and just swap colors and embellishments for a charm that fits every season.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Fit

Because AirTags are a uniform size, this pattern is designed to fit all standard AirTags without modification. However, crocheters vary in tension, yarn thickness varies slightly between brands, and hooks vary in their actual size from manufacturer to manufacturer. Here are a few troubleshooting tips if your circle isn’t coming out quite right.

If your circle is too small and the AirTag doesn’t fit or the fabric is pulling tightly across it, try going up half a hook size, or use a slightly heavier yarn. You can also add an extra half-round of sc (working one plain sc per stitch around the edge before joining) to give yourself a little more circumference.

If your circle is too large and the AirTag rattles around inside or the edges don’t meet cleanly, go down half a hook size. Working through the back loop only (BLO) on rounds 4 and 5 can also bring the fabric in slightly.

If your join is loose and the two circles gap apart, make sure you’re working through both layers at once and pulling your tension firm as you go. You can also run a second pass of sc around the joined edge if necessary.

How to Use Your AirTag Charm

Once your holder is finished and your AirTag is inside, here are the best ways to use it.

As a key ring charm: Thread a split ring through your crochet loop, then attach it to your house keys, car keys, or a carabiner clip. The soft crochet fabric is gentle on the inside of your bag and doesn’t scratch other items the way metal accessories can.

As a purse charm: Use a lobster claw clasp through your crochet loop and clip it onto a bag handle, a D-ring on a backpack, or a zipper pull. It adds a pop of color and personality to any bag while quietly keeping it trackable.

As a luggage identifier: Make a few in different colors and attach them to your suitcase handles. The pop of color helps identify your bag on the luggage carousel, and the hidden AirTag means you can track your luggage if the airline loses it.

On a pet’s collar or leash: While this holder was designed as an accessory, a slightly scaled-up version can be stitched onto a dog or cat collar using the same joining technique. Just make sure any loop or attachment is too small for your pet to chew off and swallow.

Making Multiple Holders: Gift and Craft Fair Ideas

This pattern is so quick that once you’ve made one, it’s easy to batch-make several. If you’re setting up at a craft fair, these little charms are ideal impulse purchases. Display them on a small pegboard or hanging from a wooden dowel so customers can see the colors and designs clearly. Pricing them around the $10–$15 range is competitive while still reflecting the time and materials you’ve invested.

If you’re making them as gifts, consider packaging them inside a small organza bag with a handwritten tag that explains what the AirTag holder does for anyone who might not be familiar with the technology. A set of two or three in coordinating colors makes a wonderful housewarming, birthday, or stocking stuffer gift.

For the holidays, a set that includes the holder pattern plus a few skeins of yarn and a hook is a lovely gift for a crocheter who wants to make their own.

Caring for Your Crochet AirTag Holder

To remove the AirTag (which you’ll need to do every year or so to replace the battery), simply use a seam ripper or small scissors to carefully open a few stitches along the joined edge, pop the AirTag out, replace the battery, and then use a yarn needle and matching yarn to close the seam back up. It takes only a few minutes.

For cleaning, hand wash the holder in cool water with a small amount of gentle detergent. Squeeze (don’t wring) and lay flat to dry. Cotton yarn holds up beautifully to washing and tends to get softer with each wash.

Avoid putting the holder — AirTag inside — in the dryer, as the heat can potentially damage the AirTag’s battery and electronics.

Final Thoughts

This crochet AirTag purse charm and key ring holder is one of those small projects with an outsized payoff. It uses barely any yarn, takes only an hour or two to complete, solves a genuinely practical problem, and results in something you’ll actually be excited to show off and use every single day. It’s the kind of project that reminds you why you fell in love with crochet in the first place — that sweet intersection of handmade craftsmanship and everyday life.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for a confidence-building project, an experienced crocheter in search of a quick stash-buster, or someone who simply wants to bring a little handmade charm to the smart tech on their keychain, this pattern delivers. Make one tonight. You won’t regret it.

If you give this pattern a try, leave a comment below with how it turned out, what colors you chose, or any creative modifications you made. And if you share photos on Instagram or Pinterest, tag your work so other makers can find it and be inspired. Happy crocheting!