Teddy Bear Keychain Free Amigurumi Crochet PDF Pattern
There is something undeniably charming about a tiny crocheted teddy bear dangling from your keys, zipper, or bag strap. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for a quick and satisfying project or a beginner eager to try your hand at amigurumi for the first time, a teddy bear keychain is one of the most rewarding makes you can add to your repertoire. Small enough to finish in an afternoon, adorable enough to give as a heartfelt handmade gift, and practical enough to use every single day — this free amigurumi crochet pattern checks every box.
In this post, you will find everything you need to create your own crocheted teddy bear keychain from scratch, including a full pattern, materials list, step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and ideas for customizing your finished bear. Best of all, this pattern is completely free and beginner-friendly. Save it, print it, or download the PDF — then settle into your favorite chair and start crocheting.
What Is Amigurumi?
If you are new to the craft, amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small stuffed animals and figures. The word combines the Japanese terms “ami,” meaning crocheted or knitted, and “nuigurumi,” meaning stuffed doll. Amigurumi pieces are typically worked in continuous rounds rather than back-and-forth rows, which gives them their characteristic smooth, rounded shape without visible seams on the outside.
The technique has exploded in popularity worldwide over the past two decades because the finished pieces are incredibly cute and the learning curve is gentler than it might appear. Once you master the magic ring and the single crochet, you can make just about any amigurumi figure your imagination can conjure. Teddy bears are among the most beloved subjects in the amigurumi world, and scaling one down to keychain size makes the project even more approachable.
Why You Will Love This Teddy Bear Keychain Pattern
This pattern is designed with accessibility in mind. It uses only basic crochet stitches — the magic ring, chain, single crochet, increase, and decrease — so even if you have only crocheted a few small projects before, you can follow along without feeling overwhelmed. The finished bear measures approximately 6–7 centimeters (about 2.5 inches) tall, making it a perfectly proportioned little companion that fits neatly on a keyring without being bulky.
Because the bear is so small, it works up quickly. Most crocheters finish the entire project in two to three hours, making it an ideal pattern for crafting nights, weekend mornings, or those productive sessions during a long commute (if someone else is driving, of course). It is also a wonderful stash-buster — the main body uses only a small amount of yarn, so this is a great opportunity to use up leftover skeins from bigger projects.
From a gifting perspective, these bears are extraordinary. A set of teddy bear keychains made in someone’s favorite colors or in yarn that matches their personality makes a thoughtful, personal present for birthdays, holidays, graduations, teachers, bridesmaids, and anyone who appreciates something handmade. Add a small personalized tag and you have a gift that is far more meaningful than anything you could pull off a store shelf.
Materials You Will Need
Before diving into the pattern, gather your materials. Having everything in one place before you begin will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Yarn: You will need a small amount of worsted weight yarn (Category 4) in your chosen bear color. Classic teddy bear colors include tan, caramel, honey brown, cream, and chocolate brown, but feel free to experiment with any shade you love. You will also need a small amount of a contrasting color for the muzzle patch if you choose to add one.
Hook: A 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm crochet hook works well for this size. Using a smaller hook than the yarn label suggests creates a tighter fabric with no visible gaps, which is important for stuffed amigurumi pieces so the stuffing does not peek through.
Stuffing: A small amount of polyester fiberfill stuffing. You need far less than you think — a pinch is usually enough for each piece of this size.
Eyes: Two 4 mm or 5 mm black safety eyes give the bear an authentic, polished look. Safety eyes come with locking washers that secure them permanently in place, which is essential if you are giving the keychain to a child over three. For children under three, embroider the eyes instead using black embroidery floss or yarn.
Embroidery floss or yarn: Black or dark brown floss for embroidering the nose and mouth.
Keychain ring or split ring: A standard metal keychain ring in any size you prefer, typically 20–30 mm in diameter.
Tapestry needle: For sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.
Scissors: Sharp scissors make clean cuts and neaten your finished piece.
Stitch markers: These are optional but highly recommended for marking the beginning of each round, especially when working in continuous rounds.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
All US crochet terminology is used throughout this pattern.
MR — magic ring
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
inc — increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through both loops, yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops)
st — stitch
BLO — back loop only
FLO — front loop only
rnd — round
Pattern Instructions
Head
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5–8: Sc in each st around. (24 sts) — work 4 rounds even
Rnd 9: [Sc 2, dec] 6 times. (18 sts)
At this point, insert your safety eyes between rounds 5 and 6, approximately 6–7 stitches apart. If you are embroidering the eyes instead, you will add them after closing the head.
Rnd 10: [Sc 1, dec] 6 times. (12 sts)
Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill.
Rnd 11: [Dec] 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use your tapestry needle to weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close the opening, and knot securely. Weave in the end.
Body
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4–7: Sc in each st around. (18 sts) — work 4 rounds even
Rnd 8: [Sc 1, dec] 6 times. (12 sts)
Stuff the body gently with fiberfill.
Rnd 9: [Dec] 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off and close the opening the same way as the head. Leave a longer yarn tail for sewing the head to the body later.
Ears (Make 2)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff the ears — they should be flat and slightly cupped.
Arms (Make 2)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3–5: Sc in each st around. (12 sts) — work 3 rounds even
Rnd 6: [Sc 2, dec] 3 times. (9 sts)
Rnd 7: [Sc 1, dec] 3 times. (6 sts)
Stuff lightly with fiberfill. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Legs (Make 2)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc in BLO across each st. (18 sts)
Rnd 5–7: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)
Rnd 8: [Sc 1, dec] 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 9: [Dec] 6 times. (6 sts)
Stuff firmly. Fasten off and close the opening. Leave a long tail for sewing.
Muzzle (Optional but Recommended)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] 6 times. (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. This piece is not stuffed — it lays flat against the face.
Assembling Your Teddy Bear Keychain
Assembly is where all the individual pieces come together and your bear truly comes to life. Take your time with this step; careful sewing makes the difference between a bear that looks polished and professional and one that looks a little lopsided.
Begin by sewing the muzzle onto the front of the head, centering it between rounds 5 and 8 and aligning it between the eyes. Use your tapestry needle and the yarn tail to stitch all the way around the edge of the muzzle, pulling gently to create a slightly puffy effect. Knot securely and weave in the end.
Next, embroider the nose and mouth. Thread your tapestry needle with black embroidery floss or a length of dark yarn. Make a small vertical stitch in the center of the muzzle for the nose, then bring the needle back out slightly below the nose and create a small curved V shape for the mouth. Secure the thread at the back and weave in the end.
Attach the ears to the top of the head, positioning them on either side of rounds 1–3. Pin them in place before sewing to ensure they are symmetrical, then use the yarn tail to stitch each ear securely all the way around its base. Weave in the ends.
Sew the head to the top of the body, stitching all the way around the seam and making sure the face is pointing forward. The head should be slightly larger than the body opening, which creates that signature amigurumi look where the head appears a little oversized compared to the body — this is intentional and gives the bear its endearing, cartoonish proportions.
Attach the arms to either side of the body at approximately the shoulder level (around round 3 of the body). You can position them straight out to the sides or angled slightly downward — both look charming.
Sew the legs to the bottom of the body, one on each side of the center. If you want your bear to sit rather than stand, position the legs so they angle slightly forward.
Adding the Keychain Ring
Once your bear is fully assembled, the final functional step is attaching the keychain ring. Cut a length of yarn approximately 15–20 cm long and thread it through the top of your bear’s head, just behind where the ears are attached. Thread both ends through the keychain ring and tie them in a secure double knot. You can leave this as a simple loop, or wrap the yarn around the ring a few times for a neater look. Alternatively, use a small length of chain and a lobster clasp for a more finished, jewelry-like attachment.
Customization Ideas
One of the greatest joys of amigurumi is how endlessly customizable each design can be. Here are some ideas for making your teddy bear keychain uniquely yours.
Color combinations: A classic caramel bear is always lovely, but consider making pandas in black and white, polar bears in pure white, or fantasy bears in bright coral, lavender, or teal. Ombre yarn creates a beautiful gradient effect across the body pieces.
Accessories: A tiny crocheted bow, scarf, or hat transforms a simple bear into a character. Even a small ribbon tied around the neck adds a lot of personality with minimal effort.
Facial expressions: Experiment with different nose and mouth embroidery shapes to give your bears different expressions. A wider V mouth creates a happier bear, while a more subtle curve gives a calm, sleepy look. Small half-moon eyes embroidered instead of safety eyes can create a sleeping or blinking expression.
Size variations: If you use fingering weight yarn and a 1.5 mm hook, your bear will be even tinier — perfect for earrings or charm bracelets. Bulking up to a chunky yarn and a 5 mm hook gives you a larger bear more suited to a bag charm than a keyring.
Themed bears: Make a doctor bear with a tiny crocheted stethoscope, a graduation bear with a miniature mortarboard, or a holiday bear in red and green with a little crocheted candy cane.
Tips for Beginner Amigurumi Crocheters
If this is one of your first amigurumi projects, here are some practical tips that will make your experience smoother and your finished piece better.
Always use a smaller hook than the yarn label recommends. This tightens your stitches and prevents the stuffing from showing through, which is particularly important with light-colored yarns.
Count your stitches at the end of every round. It is easy to accidentally skip a stitch or add an extra one, and catching the mistake early saves you from having to unravel many rounds of work.
Use a stitch marker — even a small piece of contrasting yarn looped through your work — to mark the first stitch of each round. Because amigurumi is worked in a continuous spiral, there is no clear visual break between rounds, and markers eliminate the guesswork.
Do not overstuff your pieces. Fiberfill that is packed too tightly distorts the shape of your work and can cause the seams to stretch and gap. Aim for a firm but yielding feel, like a good pillow.
Practice the invisible decrease rather than the standard single crochet decrease. The invisible decrease creates a much smoother surface without those little bumps that the standard decrease can leave behind.
When sewing pieces together, use the same yarn as your main color so the stitching blends in. If you find your seams visible, you can add a small dab of fabric glue on the inside of the join for extra security.
Sharing Your Finished Bear
When your teddy bear keychain is complete, we would love to see what you have made. Share your finished bears on social media and tag them with amigurumi hashtags so other crocheters can find and be inspired by your work. The online amigurumi community is one of the warmest, most supportive corners of the crafting world, and your creation belongs in it.
If you sell crafts at markets or in an online shop, these little bears make wonderful products. They are quick to make in multiples, cost very little in materials, and customers respond warmly to anything handmade and miniature. A set of three bears in different colors displayed together tends to be especially popular at craft fairs.
Saving and Downloading This Pattern
To keep this pattern handy for future reference, you are welcome to save this page to your browser, bookmark it, or print it out directly. A clean, formatted PDF version of this pattern is also available for free download — check the link on this page. The PDF is printer-friendly and formatted for easy reading, whether you work from a tablet propped up on your crafting table or a printed sheet tucked into your project bag.
Patterns like this one are created with love and shared freely because the crafting community thrives on generosity and
