Looking for free crochet animal keychain patterns that are cute, quick and genuinely beginner friendly? You are in the right place. This post shares a complete pig amigurumi keychain written out in full, plus everything you need to know to get great results from free crochet animal keychain patterns of any kind: yarn, hooks, abbreviations, stitch tips and finishing.
Quick answer: what are free crochet animal keychain patterns? Free crochet animal keychain patterns are no-cost, written instructions for making small amigurumi animals (a pig, bunny, bear or cat) that clip onto keys, bags and zippers. They use basic stitches such as the magic ring, single crochet, increases and decreases, so most people finish one in a single evening.
Why Free Crochet Animal Keychain Patterns Are Perfect for Beginners
Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed creatures (learn more about amigurumi). Keychains are the ideal first amigurumi because they are tiny. Free crochet animal keychain patterns need very little yarn, only a handful of stitches and no complicated shaping, so mistakes are cheap and progress is fast.
Here is why so many makers start with free crochet animal keychain patterns:
- Fast finish: a small project means instant satisfaction.
- Low cost: scraps of yarn, a pair of safety eyes and a little stuffing are enough.
- Great gifts: a handmade pig or bunny on a keyring is personal and portable.
- Skill building: you practice the magic ring, increases, decreases, colour changes and sewing on features.
Free Crochet Animal Keychain Patterns at a Glance
| Detail | This Pattern |
|---|---|
| Project | Pig keychain (amigurumi) |
| Skill level | Beginner to advanced beginner |
| Main stitches | Magic ring, single crochet, increase, decrease, bobble, slip stitch |
| Colours | Light pink body, dark pink muzzle and bobble details |
| Parts | Muzzle, body, ears |
| Cost | Free |
Materials for This Free Crochet Animal Keychain Pattern
Gather these supplies before you begin any of our free crochet animal keychain patterns:
- Yarn: light pink for the body and dark pink for the muzzle and details.
- Black thread for the nose details.
- Crochet hook: the size depends on your yarn.
- Safety eyes: the size depends on your yarn.
- Stuffing (polyester fibre-fill).
- Scissors and a sewing needle.
- Keyring or clasp to turn your amigurumi into a keychain.
Abbreviations Used in Free Crochet Animal Keychain Patterns
- MR – magic ring
- sc – single crochet
- 3IN1 – 3 sc in the same stitch
- B – bobble crochet*
- inc – increase
- dec – decrease
- slst – slip stitch
*B{3}: the bobble crochet is made by 3 dc (double crochet). B{4} follows the same idea with 4 dc.
Pattern Notes
- The colour change to dark pink is indicated by bold text.
- Depending on the yarn and your stitch tension, you may have to adjust the stitches in some rounds to make it symmetrical.
- The muzzle can be sewn on at the end, or when indicated in the pattern before closing.
Free Crochet Animal Keychain Pattern: Pig Muzzle
Every one of our favourite free crochet animal keychain patterns starts with the face details, and the muzzle is what gives this little pig its personality.
Muzzle (in dark pink): make 3 chains. Working around, starting in the 2nd chain from the hook make a sc, 3IN1, then on the other side make 2 sc (6). Leave a long tail for sewing.
Free Crochet Animal Keychain Pattern: Pig Body (R1–R10)
The body is worked in the round from a magic ring. Start in pink and follow the bold type for the dark pink colour change, as explained in the notes above. This is the heart of the pattern, and the same round-by-round method appears in most free crochet animal keychain patterns.
R1: 5 sc in MR (5)
R2: inc *5 (10)
R3: (sc, inc) * 5 (15)
R4-5: sc (15)
R6: 3 sc, B{3}, 6 sc, B{3}, 4 sc (15)
R7: sc (15)
R8: 5 sc, B{4}, 3 sc, B{4}, 5 sc (15)
Muzzle: sew the muzzle between R4-6. Thread a needle with black thread and make the nose details by sewing two parallel lines.
Eyes: place the eyes between R4-5 on the sides of the muzzle.
Begin stuffing.
R9: (sc, dec) * 5 (10)
Finish stuffing.
R10: dec * 5 (5)
Close, fasten off and weave in the end.
Free Crochet Animal Keychain Pattern: Pig Ears
For the left ear the back of the pig has to be facing you, and for the right ear the front has to be facing you.
Insert the hook between R2-3, then make 3 chains and, from the second stitch from the hook, make 2 sc, then make a slst in the same point where you inserted the hook in the body. Repeat on the other side.
Tips to Get Better Results From Free Crochet Animal Keychain Patterns
- Use a stitch marker. Rounds are worked in a spiral, so marking the first stitch of each round keeps your count accurate in every one of the free crochet animal keychain patterns you try.
- Go down a hook size if the stuffing shows through. Tight stitches make better amigurumi.
- Place the eyes before you stuff. Safety eyes lock in from the inside, so fit them first and test the position.
- Stuff firmly but evenly. Keychains take daily wear, so a well-filled body keeps its shape.
- Check symmetry. As the pattern notes say, tension varies, so adjust a few stitches if the pig looks lopsided.
- Reinforce the keyring loop with extra stitches so it survives pockets and bags.
More Ideas: Turn Free Crochet Animal Keychain Patterns Into a Whole Zoo
Once you have made the pig, you can use the same round body to explore other free crochet animal keychain patterns. A bunny needs long ears, a bear needs small round ears and a muzzle, a cat needs pointed ears, and a fox needs a contrast tail and cheeks. The round-body method barely changes, which makes free crochet animal keychain patterns a brilliant way to build a matching collection in different colours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Crochet Animal Keychain Patterns
Where can I find free crochet animal keychain patterns for beginners?
You can find free crochet animal keychain patterns on craft blogs, Ravelry, Pinterest and YouTube. This page gives you a complete, beginner-friendly pig keychain written out step by step, so you can start today with nothing but yarn, a hook, safety eyes and stuffing.What yarn is best for free crochet animal keychain patterns?
Soft chenille or velvet-style yarn gives amigurumi keychains their fluffy, plush look, but any smooth yarn works. Because the pattern is worked in single crochet, the hook size depends on your yarn: choose a hook that gives a tight fabric so the stuffing does not show.How long does it take to make a crochet animal keychain?
A small keychain like this pig is a quick project. Most crocheters finish one in an evening, which is why free crochet animal keychain patterns are so popular for gifts and craft fairs.Can I sell items made from free crochet animal keychain patterns?
That depends on the designer’s terms. Always read the pattern license, and credit the original designer when you share photos of your finished keychain.How do I turn my amigurumi into a keychain?
Attach a keyring or a lobster clasp with a short loop of yarn or a small chain, sewn securely through the top of the body. Reinforce it with a few extra stitches because keychains get tugged daily.
Loved this pig?
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Final Thoughts on Free Crochet Animal Keychain Patterns
A fluffy pig is the perfect starting point for anyone exploring free crochet animal keychain patterns. With a magic ring, simple single crochet rounds, two dark pink bobble rows and a sewn-on muzzle, you finish with a keepsake that is charming, practical and made by you. Bookmark this page and keep it handy whenever you want fresh free crochet animal keychain patterns to try.
