How to Crochet a Jellyfish Keychain: A Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

If you’ve been scrolling through craft feeds lately, you’ve probably spotted the cutest little amigurumi jellyfish hanging from bags, backpacks, and keys everywhere. These squishy, whimsical creatures are one of the most satisfying crochet projects you can make — small enough to finish in a single afternoon, but detailed enough to feel genuinely rewarding. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first amigurumi project or an experienced crocheter wanting a quick and adorable make, this jellyfish keychain crochet tutorial will walk you through everything you need to know from start to finish.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a finished jellyfish keychain complete with a fluffy belly, flowing tentacles, and a sweet little face. Let’s dive in.

Why Crochet a Jellyfish Keychain?

Before we get into the materials and pattern, let’s talk about why this project has taken over the crafting world. Jellyfish keychains are endlessly customizable. You can make them in any color you like — pastel pinks and purples for a dreamy look, vibrant blues and teals for an ocean feel, or even neon colors for something bold and modern. They make fantastic gifts, they’re lightweight enough to hang anywhere, and because they use only small amounts of yarn, they’re a perfect stash-buster project.

They’re also a wonderful introduction to amigurumi technique. Working in the round, increasing evenly, and shaping a dome are all fundamental skills in amigurumi crochet, and this project teaches all three in a low-stakes, beginner-friendly format. If you’ve only ever made flat pieces and you’re ready to try something three-dimensional, a jellyfish keychain is honestly one of the best places to start.

Materials You’ll Need

Getting your materials together before you begin makes the whole process smoother. Here’s everything you’ll want to have on hand.

Yarn: You’ll need a small amount of worsted weight yarn (size 4) in your main color for the bell (the dome-shaped top of the jellyfish), and either the same yarn or a complementary color for the tentacles. Worsted weight works beautifully for this project because it gives the jellyfish a nice, plump shape. If you want a finer, more delicate look, you can use DK weight yarn with a smaller hook, but the instructions here are written for worsted weight.

Crochet Hook: A 3.5 mm or 4.0 mm crochet hook works well with worsted weight yarn for amigurumi. You want your stitches to be tight enough that the stuffing doesn’t show through, so don’t be afraid to go slightly smaller than the yarn label recommends.

Stuffing: Polyfill stuffing is the standard choice. Use just enough to give the bell a rounded, firm shape without making it look stretched or lumpy.

Safety Eyes: A pair of 6 mm or 8 mm black safety eyes gives your jellyfish that iconic kawaii expression. If you’re making this for a young child, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead, since safety eyes can be a choking hazard.

Tapestry Needle: You’ll need this for weaving in ends and, if you choose, for embroidering a little smile.

Scissors: A sharp pair of embroidery scissors makes trimming yarn ends much neater.

Stitch Markers: Optional but helpful, especially if you’re new to working in the round. A locking stitch marker placed in the first stitch of each round helps you keep track of where each round begins and ends.

Keychain Ring and Jump Ring: You’ll need a small keychain split ring (the kind you’d attach to a set of keys) and an optional jump ring or lobster clasp to attach your finished jellyfish. You can find these at any craft store or online.

Optional — Yarn for Embellishment: If you want to add a curly or frilly texture to the tentacles, you can add a length of thin ribbon yarn or eyelash yarn alongside your regular yarn when making the tentacles.

Crochet Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here’s a quick reference guide.

MR — Magic ring (also called magic circle)
ch — chain
sc — single crochet
inc — increase (two single crochets worked into the same stitch)
dec — invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next two stitches and complete as a single crochet)
sl st — slip stitch
FO — fasten off
BLO — back loop only
st(s) — stitch(es)

Pattern Notes Before You Begin

This pattern is worked in continuous rounds (also called a spiral), meaning you do not join rounds with a slip stitch unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round so you always know where you are.

The jellyfish has two main sections: the bell (the rounded dome on top) and the tentacles (the hanging strands underneath). The bell is crocheted first, stuffed, and then the tentacles are added by crocheting directly into the bottom opening of the bell.

If you’re a true beginner, look up how to make a magic ring before you begin — it’s an essential technique for amigurumi and only takes a few minutes to learn. A magic ring creates a tight, seamless center for working in the round, and it makes your jellyfish bell look much neater than starting with a chain.

Part One: Crocheting the Jellyfish Bell

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring and pull tight. (6 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch 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)

Round 6: Sc 4, inc — repeat around. (36 sts)

Rounds 7–11: Sc in each stitch around. (36 sts) — These five even rounds create the straight sides of the bell and give the dome its height.

Now is the time to attach your safety eyes. Place them between rounds 8 and 9, approximately 5 to 6 stitches apart, centered on what will be the front of the jellyfish. Once you’re happy with the placement, push the backs of the safety eyes firmly into place. If you’re embroidering the eyes, you can do this after stuffing and closing.

If you want to add a small embroidered smile, you can do so now with a length of black yarn and your tapestry needle, or wait until after the bell is closed.

Round 12: Sc 4, dec — repeat around. (30 sts)

Round 13: Sc 3, dec — repeat around. (24 sts)

Now stuff the bell firmly with polyfill. Add a good amount — you want the dome to feel plump and hold its rounded shape. It’s easier to add stuffing now than once the opening gets smaller.

Round 14: Sc 2, dec — repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 15: Sc 1, dec — repeat around. (12 sts)

Add a little more stuffing if you feel it needs it.

Round 16: Dec — repeat around. (6 sts)

Do not fasten off yet. Instead, use your tapestry needle to close the remaining 6 stitches by threading the yarn tail through each stitch and pulling tight, or simply continue decreasing until the hole closes. Fasten off and weave in the end.

Your bell should now look like a smooth, plump dome — the classic jellyfish shape. Set it aside and give yourself a moment to admire it.

Part Two: Adding the Tentacles

The tentacles are what give a crocheted jellyfish its personality, and there are a few different ways to make them. The method below creates simple, clean hanging strands that you can make as long or as short as you like. After the basic instructions, there’s a note on how to make curly tentacles if you want a more playful, textured look.

To attach tentacles, rejoin your yarn at any stitch along the bottom opening of the bell with a slip stitch. You’ll be working into the bottom edge of the bell.

Basic Tentacle (make 8–12, evenly spaced around the bottom):

Join yarn to the bottom of the bell. Chain 20 to 30 (longer chains = longer tentacles — you can vary the lengths for a more natural, organic look). Single crochet back along the chain, working one sc into each chain stitch. When you reach the bell again, fasten off and weave in the end.

Repeat this process around the bottom of the bell, spacing your tentacles evenly. Aim for 8 to 12 tentacles total. Using an odd combination of lengths — say, four tentacles at 25 chains and four at 18 chains — gives a lovely layered effect that looks more realistic and more interesting.

For Curly Tentacles:

Chain 25. Work 2 single crochets into each chain stitch along the chain. This extra fullness forces the strand to curl in on itself, creating a natural spiral. Curly tentacles are especially charming in a contrasting color.

For a Layered Belly:

Some crocheters like to add a second, shorter layer of tentacles slightly above the first to create a more full, voluminous look. To do this, attach a second round of tentacles in the round just above the bottom, using shorter chains of around 10 to 15 stitches.

Part Three: Attaching the Keychain

Attaching the keychain hardware is the final step before your jellyfish is ready to go out into the world.

Option 1: Cut a length of yarn about 10 inches long, fold it in half, and insert the folded end through the top of the jellyfish bell using your tapestry needle, pulling it through one of the stitches at the very top. Thread the two tail ends through the loop to create a lark’s head knot, then tie the tail ends securely through the keychain split ring. Trim the ends and tuck them neatly.

Option 2: For a cleaner, more polished finish, use a small jump ring and a lobster claw clasp. Attach the jump ring through a stitch at the top of the bell and attach the clasp to the jump ring. This makes it easy to attach and remove the jellyfish from your keychain without having to retie anything.

Customization Ideas and Variations

One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it adapts to different styles and tastes. Here are some ideas to make your jellyfish keychain completely your own.

Color gradients: Use a self-striping or ombre yarn to create a jellyfish that shifts from one color to another as you work up the bell. The effect is subtle but stunning.

Sparkle: Mix in a thin strand of metallic thread held alongside your main yarn as you crochet the bell. This gives the jellyfish a luminous, bioluminescent quality that looks magical on a keychain.

Tiny bows or flowers: Attach a miniature crocheted bow or a small fabric flower to the side of the bell for extra charm. These make especially sweet gifts when paired with pastel colorways.

Expressions: Swap the simple eyes for a different expression by adjusting the placement and adding embroidered details. A slightly sleepy jellyfish with half-closed eyes has a whole different personality from one with wide, surprised eyes.

Seasonal themes: Use orange and black yarn for a Halloween jellyfish, red and green for Christmas, or pastels for spring. These make wonderful ornaments and bag charms for any occasion.

Larger version: Double all the round counts and use bulkier yarn to make a plushie-sized jellyfish that works as a desk toy or stuffed animal rather than a keychain. The same basic structure scales up beautifully.

Tips for a Polished Finish

A few small habits make a big difference in how professional your finished jellyfish looks.

Weave in all your ends very thoroughly, especially where the tentacles attach to the bell. These join points take the most stress when the keychain is in use, and a loose end here can unravel quickly. Weave each end in at least two directions and pull gently before trimming.

Use the invisible decrease (working through the front loops only) rather than a standard sc2tog for your decreasing rounds. It creates a much smoother, less dimpled surface on the dome.

If you notice any gaps or holes in your bell, try going down a hook size. Tight tension is the secret weapon of clean amigurumi work.

Press lightly with a damp cloth or use a light misting of water to block your finished jellyfish if the shape isn’t quite as round as you’d like. This works especially well with natural fibers like cotton or wool.

Finishing Thoughts

Making a crochet jellyfish keychain is one of those projects that rewards you many times over. It teaches core amigurumi skills, uses up leftover yarn, produces something genuinely adorable, and comes together quickly enough that you can make several in a single sitting. Once you’ve made one, it’s very hard to stop — the color combinations are endless, and each new jellyfish ends up with its own subtle personality.

Whether you’re keeping this one for yourself, attaching it to a friend’s birthday gift, or making a batch to sell at a craft fair, the pattern above gives you a solid, reliable foundation to work from. Don’t be afraid to play with the tentacle lengths, switch up colors halfway through a bell, or try adding embellishments you haven’t seen before. That’s one of the true joys of crochet — every maker brings something a little different to the hook.

Happy crocheting, and may your jellyfish always have the floatiest tentacles.