Simple Crochet Keychain Pattern - Free Pattern
I've been looking for a quick and easy keychain that I could make to have on my keys. Something that's easy to find in my bag, is pretty and practical and with this simple crochet keychain pattern I think I tick all of those boxes.
I've seen some cute crochet i-cord patterns but I find it quite tedious to do so instead I tried this method.
It's super simple once you get the hang of it and you can work up a keychain in around 15 minutes. That includes weaving in your ends!
These could be great for last minute gifts, colour co-ordinating them to match the recipients favourite colours, they'd be great for markets or craft stalls as little low-ticket items or even to add in as freebies to online orders. The possibilities are really endless.
The Pattern
You will need:
4 weight/ worsted/aran cotton yarn in two colours
5.5mm crochet hook
Lobster clasp keyring (I got mine on Amazon)
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Note: You could use any weight yarn that you like with a hook size up from that recommended for the yarn.
This pattern makes a keychain with a loop that is 13cm long. You will make your cord approximately double this length (26cm). You can make the cord as long as you like, an extra long length could give you a lovely handmade lanyard!
Stitch Abbreviations
Please note that this pattern is written using US terms.
Sl st - slip stitch
Ch - chain
St - stitch/es
YO - yarn over
Set Up
To begin with, you need to make a long tail with both strands of your yarn You will be crocheting with this as well as you working yarn. (When referring to the working yarn, I mean the end being fed from the yarn balls).
I aim to have my tail around 3x the length of the cord I intend to make plus a little bit extra. For a keychain/wristlet as I have made here I recommend leaving a tail that is approximately 45cm long.
You will be using a both of your yarn colours at the same time throughout the pattern. If you have not worked with double strands before my advice would be to go slow to make sure you're catching both strands every time.
Crocheting the Cord
Create a slip knot and insert your hook. Ch1 to secure.
Using the tail end of the yarn, YO from the front
Using the working yarn, YO from the back (as normal)
Pull through both loops on hook as if completing a sl st.
Note: This can be a little fiddly to begin with, especially the first few stitches but you will pull the active yarn loop under the tail loop and the loop on your hook.
Repeat this step until your cord measures approximately 26cm.
If you are making a smaller or larger cord then repeat the step until it gives you the desired size loop when you bring both of the ends together.
Attaching the Keyring
Place the cord through the keyring and bring it up to the working end.
YO from the front with the tail end and YO from the back with your working yarn and pull through to complete the stitch as you have been doing for the cord. This will secure the keyring in place.
Fasten off your working yarn by chaining 1 and pulling the loop all the way through.
Note: You need to have a tail that is long enough for wrapping around the keychain cord to secure it in place, if you do not have much of your tail end yarn left then when you fasten off your working yarn make that a long tail.
Insert your hook through the bottom of your cord and pull through one of the tail ends to join your cord together and create the loop.
Using the longest tail, wrap it around both thicknesses of the cord approximately 7 times, or until it looks how you would like it to.
Using a tapestry needle, weave in the end through the wraparound section. I go down, up and down again to ensure its secure. Weave in the other ends also, hiding them within the wraparound section.
Congratulations, your super simple keychain is complete!
If you make your own keychain I would love to see it! Tag me in your photos @Brambles.and.Hart and use #BHSuperSimpleKeychain
I really hope you have enjoyed this free pattern on the blog. If you would like to check out any of my premium paid patterns you can find those here.
