Rainbow Pastel Jellyfish Keychain Free Crochet Pattern

There is something undeniably magical about a tiny crocheted jellyfish dangling from your keys. It bounces with every step, catches the light in the softest way, and never fails to make someone smile. If you have been looking for a charming, beginner-friendly project that uses up small amounts of yarn and produces something genuinely delightful, this rainbow pastel jellyfish keychain crochet pattern is exactly what you need. Whether you are making one for yourself, stuffing a gift bag, or setting up a craft fair table, these little creatures are addictive to make and impossible not to love.

In this post, I am walking you through everything — the materials you will need, the stitches involved, the full free pattern with step-by-step instructions, and plenty of tips to help you customize your jellyfish in all the colors of a dreamy pastel rainbow.

Why Crochet a Jellyfish Keychain?

Before we dive into the pattern, let me tell you why jellyfish keychains have become such a beloved project in the crochet community.

First, they are small and fast. Even a beginner crocheter can finish one in an evening, and an experienced maker can knock out several in a single sitting. That makes them perfect for gift-giving seasons when you need a lot of handmade items quickly. Second, jellyfish have a naturally whimsical shape that translates beautifully into crochet — the rounded dome of the bell, the trailing tentacles, the way the whole thing sways — it all works in yarn in a way that feels almost effortless.

The rainbow pastel version specifically has been trending across platforms for a reason. Soft lavender, mint green, baby pink, sky blue, and buttery yellow together create a palette that feels both nostalgic and modern. It is the kind of color combination that appeals to children and adults equally, which makes these keychains incredibly versatile as gifts. Teachers love them as end-of-year tokens. Friends pass them along as little tokens of affection. Craft fair shoppers pick them up because they feel handmade and special in a way that mass-produced keychains never quite achieve.

Materials You Will Need

One of the best things about this pattern is how few supplies are required. Here is a full list of what to gather before you start.

Yarn: You will need small amounts of worsted weight or DK weight yarn in your chosen pastel colors. For a single jellyfish keychain, you only need about 15 to 20 yards total, which makes this a wonderful stash-buster project. I recommend choosing four to six colors for that full rainbow pastel effect. Think cotton candy pink, seafoam green, lavender, soft peach, baby blue, and pale lemon. You can use all of them on a single jellyfish or dedicate each color to a different keychain.

Hook: A 3.5mm or 4mm crochet hook works beautifully with worsted weight yarn. If you are using DK weight, drop down to a 3mm or 3.5mm hook. The goal is to crochet tightly enough that the stuffing does not show through but loosely enough that your tension does not make the project stressful.

Stuffing: A small amount of polyfill stuffing is all you need to give the jellyfish bell its satisfying rounded shape. If you do not have polyfill on hand, you can use small yarn scraps tucked inside, though polyfill gives the cleanest result.

Safety eyes: Two 6mm black safety eyes will bring your jellyfish to life. If you are making these for young children or babies, skip the safety eyes and embroider the eyes instead using black yarn.

Keychain hardware: A small split ring or lobster clasp keychain finding, available at most craft stores or online, is all you need to turn your finished amigurumi into a functional keychain.

Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.

Scissors and stitch markers: Always helpful to have on hand for any crochet project.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference for all the stitches you will encounter.

Magic ring (MR) — a technique for starting crochet worked in the round that creates a closed center with no hole.

Chain (ch) — the basic foundation stitch.

Single crochet (sc) — the most fundamental crochet stitch, worked by inserting the hook, pulling up a loop, and pulling through both loops.

Increase (inc) — two single crochets worked into the same stitch.

Decrease (dec) — an invisible decrease worked by inserting the hook into the front loops of two consecutive stitches, pulling up a loop, and pulling through all three loops on the hook.

Slip stitch (sl st) — a joining stitch worked by inserting the hook, pulling up a loop, and pulling through both the stitch and the loop on the hook in one motion.

Full Free Pattern: Rainbow Pastel Jellyfish Keychain

The Bell

The bell is worked in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

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

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

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

Round 4: Sc 2, inc 1 repeat around. (24 stitches)

Round 5: Sc 3, inc 1 repeat around. (30 stitches)

Round 6: Sc 4, inc 1 repeat around. (36 stitches)

Round 7: Sc in each stitch around. (36 stitches)

Round 8: Sc in each stitch around. (36 stitches)

Round 9: Sc in each stitch around. (36 stitches)

Round 10: Sc 4, dec 1 repeat around. (30 stitches)

At this point, insert your safety eyes between rounds 6 and 7, spacing them about 6 stitches apart. If you want to add any embroidered details like a small smile, do that before continuing to close up the bell.

Round 11: Sc 3, dec 1 repeat around. (24 stitches)

Round 12: Sc 2, dec 1 repeat around. (18 stitches)

Now stuff the bell with polyfill. Fill it generously — you want a full, rounded dome shape. It is easier to adjust the stuffing now than after you have decreased further.

Round 13: Sc 1, dec 1 repeat around. (12 stitches)

Round 14: Dec around. (6 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Use your tapestry needle to weave through the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in the end securely.

The Tentacles

This is where the rainbow pastel magic really comes in. Each tentacle is worked separately and then attached to the bottom of the bell. You will make between eight and twelve tentacles depending on how full you want your jellyfish to look.

For the rainbow pastel effect, alternate your colors. A nice arrangement is to do two tentacles in each of your chosen pastel colors, or to assign the longer center tentacles one color and the shorter outer tentacles another.

Standard tentacle (for outer tentacles): Chain 20 to 25. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc back along the chain. Fasten off with a tail for sewing.

Long tentacle (for inner/center tentacles): Chain 30 to 35. Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc back along the chain. Fasten off with a tail for sewing.

Curly tentacle (for variation and texture): Chain 20. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 2 sc into every chain stitch back along the chain. This creates a natural curl and adds beautiful movement. Fasten off with a tail for sewing.

A mix of curly and straight tentacles makes for the most visually interesting jellyfish. I typically use a combination of about four curly tentacles and six straight tentacles, alternating colors throughout.

Attaching the Tentacles

Thread a tapestry needle with the tail from one tentacle. Push the needle up through the inside of the bell, coming out at a spot along the last few rounds at the bottom edge of the bell. Pull through snugly and knot securely. Trim the tail. Repeat with each tentacle, spacing them evenly around the bottom opening of the bell.

It helps to lay the bell upside down and arrange all your tentacles around it before sewing any of them, so you can visualize the final look and adjust the color arrangement as needed.

Attaching the Keychain Hardware

At the very top of the bell (the starting point of your magic ring), you will attach your keychain hardware. Use a small piece of yarn in any color to create a short loop at the top — chain 4 to 6, slip stitch to join into a small ring, and sew this loop securely to the top of the bell. Slide your split ring or lobster clasp keychain finding through this loop and close it.

Alternatively, you can sew the keychain finding directly to the top of the bell using a tapestry needle and a strand of strong yarn, looping several times through the finding and through the top stitches of the bell for maximum security.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

Tension matters more than you think. Because this is a stuffed amigurumi piece, loose tension will allow the white stuffing to peek through the stitches, which looks a bit untidy. Try to keep your stitches firm but not strained. If you consistently crochet loosely, go down one hook size.

Close the magic ring completely. A loose or partially open magic ring at the top of the bell is one of the most common issues beginners face with this pattern. After you pull the tail to close the ring, weave that tail end back through a few of the surrounding stitches before continuing. This anchors the closure and prevents it from loosening over time.

Use a contrasting color for the tentacles. If your bell is soft pink, try mint green and lavender tentacles. If your bell is baby blue, try pale yellow and peach. Contrasting within the pastel palette keeps the whole piece readable and visually interesting without becoming busy.

Add a little weight to the bottom. If you want your jellyfish to hang perfectly straight from a keychain, tuck a small glass bead or a coin inside the stuffing before closing the bell. This gives the tentacles a natural downward flow and prevents the jellyfish from flipping sideways on the keychain.

Blocking is optional but nice. A light spritz of water and a gentle reshape while damp can smooth out any uneven stitches, especially on the tentacles. Let it dry flat or hang to dry.

Color Combinations to Try

Part of the joy of this pattern is the endless possibility for color play. Here are a few rainbow pastel combinations that look especially beautiful.

The classic rainbow pastel set runs red-to-violet through the softest tones: blush pink, peach, butter yellow, mint, sky blue, and soft lavender. Using each color for two tentacles and alternating them gives a full-spectrum gradient effect.

For a mermaid variation, skip the warm tones entirely and work in aqua, teal, seafoam, soft purple, and iridescent white. This creates a more oceanic feel that suits the jellyfish theme perfectly.

A sunrise palette — soft coral, warm peach, pale gold, and cream — gives the jellyfish an almost sunrise-over-the-ocean quality that feels dreamy and romantic.

For something a little more playful, try a cotton candy palette of hot pink and lavender in pastel tones, with white tentacles for contrast. This version is especially popular as a gift for children and teens.

Ways to Use Your Finished Jellyfish

Obviously the keychain is the primary purpose here, but once you start making these little creatures it is hard to stop, and you may find yourself with a few extras that want a different life.

A small jellyfish makes a wonderful zipper pull on a backpack or jacket. It also works beautifully as a bag charm, a rearview mirror ornament for a car, or a decorative tag on a wrapped gift. String several together on a length of fishing line hung in front of a window and you have an instant whimsical mobile. Make a batch in coordinating colors and gift them as a set — tuck them inside a small organza bag with a handwritten tag and you have a gift that feels both thoughtful and handcrafted.

They are also a natural fit for craft fairs and maker markets. Small, lightweight, affordable to make in bulk, and visually arresting when displayed together in a bowl or hanging from a pegboard display, these jellyfish keychains tend to sell out quickly. Consider making them in themed colorways for seasons — pastels for spring, warm sunset tones for summer, earthy terracotta and mustard for autumn, and icy silver and white for winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make one jellyfish keychain?
Most crocheters can complete the bell in about 30 to 45 minutes, and the tentacles and finishing in another 15 to 30 minutes. Total time for one keychain is typically one to one and a half hours for a beginner, and closer to 45 minutes for someone more experienced.

Can I use a different yarn weight?
Absolutely. Fingering or sport weight yarn will produce a smaller, more delicate jellyfish. Bulky yarn will create an oversized version that becomes more of a plush toy than a keychain. The pattern structure remains the same — the resulting size is just different.

Is this pattern beginner-friendly?
Yes, with one caveat. If you have never crocheted in the round or worked amigurumi before, it is worth watching a quick video on magic rings and working continuous rounds before diving in. Once you understand those two techniques, the rest of the pattern is entirely accessible to beginners.

Can I sell items made from this pattern?
Yes! This is a free pattern shared for personal and small business use. Feel free to sell finished keychains made from this pattern. If you share your makes on social media, I would love to see them.

Final Thoughts

There is a reason tiny crocheted creatures have captured the hearts of makers and gift recipients alike for decades. They are personal in a way that store-bought items simply are not — each one carries the time, care, and creativity of the person who made it, and the recipient can feel that. A rainbow pastel jellyfish keychain is small enough to finish in one cozy evening but meaningful enough to become someone’s favorite accessory for years.

Whether you are brand new to crochet and looking for your first successful amigurumi project, or a seasoned maker wanting a satisfying quick make, this pattern delivers. Grab your hook, dig through your pastel yarn stash, and let your jellyfish float to life. Once you make one, you will almost certainly make a dozen more.