Brighten up your keys with this free crochet octopus keychain pattern, adding a splash of whimsy and personality to your everyday essentials.
There is something truly delightful about creating small handmade accessories that add a touch of personality to everyday items. The free crochet octopus keychain pattern is an excellent project for anyone interested in making a charming and quick amigurumi piece. This little octopus works perfectly as an accessory for keys or bags and also makes a thoughtful gift for crochet lovers or ocean enthusiasts.
Colorful Free Crochet Octopus Keychain Pattern You’ll Love
This project features a soft, rounded body with eight textured tentacles that give it a playful and inviting appearance. Its compact shape allows it to fit comfortably as a keychain or bag charm. The standout elements include the subtle detailing around the eyes and tentacles, which add character without requiring complex techniques. The size can be adapted depending on the yarn and hook used, allowing creators to personalize the keychain from a petite charm to a slightly larger decorative item.
The construction mainly involves working single crochet stitches in continuous rounds with increases and decreases to shape the body and tentacles. Helpful tips for this project include using a stitch marker to keep track of rounds and stuffing the piece firmly enough to maintain its form while keeping it soft. The design was inspired by the fascinating shapes found in sea creatures, and using a smooth, soft yarn enhances the stitch definition and overall texture of the keychain.
This crochet octopus keychain is suitable for gifting during birthdays, holidays, or as party favors, and it encourages creativity. Adding bead eyes or embroidery can personalize the piece further, making it a unique item. It is an enjoyable and practical project that brings a bit of handmade charm to everyday life.
Crochet Octopus Keychain
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a charming crochet octopus keychain, complete with twisty tentacles and an adorable little ribbon accessory. The process is beginner-friendly and uses just a few simple stitches. Follow along with these clear steps to create your very own cute and functional keychain!
Pattern Highlights
What Makes This Project Special:
- Simple construction: Uses basic crochet stitches (magic ring, double crochet, single crochet) throughout.
- Two-piece body assembly: Top and bottom sections are made separately and then joined.
- Integrated tentacles: Tentacles are created during assembly—no sewing tiny pieces!
- Handy keychain loop: Chains form an easy-to-attach key ring.
- Adorable bow accessory: The ribbon is worked separately and quickly added for extra cuteness.
- Perfect for gifts or personal use: Make a batch in your favorite colors!
Notes
- This pattern is written in rounds; always join as instructed with a slip stitch.
- Both parts of the body are made identically.
- The pattern uses standard US crochet terms.
- If using synthetic yarn, melt ends with a lighter for a clean finish (for adults only).
- You can swap out the yarn and hook size for a larger or smaller octopus.
Skill Level
Beginner to Advanced Beginner
You should feel comfortable with:
- Magic ring
- Chain (ch)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Slip stitch (sl st)
- Increasing with double crochets
Materials
- Yarn: “Poly Cherry” brand yarn, or any similar acrylic/polyester yarn (choose colors as desired)
- Hook: Size 4/0 (approx. 2.5 mm) crochet hook
- Lighter (for melting/singeing yarn ends—optional, adults only)
- Scissors
- Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
- Key ring (to attach, optional)
Measurements / Sizing
- Approximate finished size: 5–7 cm in diameter (will vary with yarn used and tension)
- Keychain loop adds about 6–8 cm in length
Exact dimensions may change based on materials and tension.
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this project.
The main body should lay flat after round 3 and be about palm size. If you crochet tightly, the octopus will be a bit smaller.
Stitch Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Stitch name |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| MR | magic ring |
| dc inc | double crochet increase (2 dc in 1 st) |
Special Stitches
- Magic Ring (MR):
Form a small loop, hold tail. Insert hook, yarn over and pull up loop, ch 1 (to lock), then crochet into the ring. - Double Crochet Increase (dc inc):
Work 2 dc in the same stitch.
Step-by-Step Pattern
1. Main Body (Top & Bottom Sections)
Each piece is worked separately—make two identical circles.
Round 1:
- Make a magic ring (MR).
- Ch 3 (counts as first dc).
- Work 11 dc into the ring (for a total of 12 dc).
- Join with sl st to top of starting ch-3.
(12 dc total)
Round 2:
- Ch 3 (counts as first dc).
- 1 dc inc (1 dc in same stitch as ch-3—2 in first st).
- 2 dc in each stitch around.
- Join with sl st to top of ch-3.
(24 dc total)
Round 3:
- Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc).
- 1 dc inc in next stitch (2 dc in next stitch).
- *Repeat from : 1 dc in next st, 1 dc inc in next st, around.
- Total: 36 dc.
- Join with sl st to finish.
Make TWO of these flat circle pieces for the octopus top and bottom!
2. Assembly and Tentacles
- Hold the two body pieces together (wrong sides facing in).
- Join yarn at the edge.
- Ch 1. Work 1 single crochet (sc) through both layers to start joining.
- (Now begin tentacles:)
Repeat the following tentacle sequence four times:
- Ch 7, then work 3 sc into the next stitch (all through both layers).
- Continue: Join next segment by ch 7, 3 sc into the next st.
- Work this tentacle pattern until you have 4 tentacles completed, spaced evenly around.
To finish:
- Work 10 sc across the remaining section to close the body and finish joining both sides.
3. Keychain Strap
- With new yarn at the front edge:
- Work 6 sc along the edge to provide a base for the strap.
- Ch 30 (or more for a longer loop).
- Sl st into the first ch to form the hanging loop.
- Work 6 more sc along the front edge, then join with 10 sc to secure.
To finish off:
- Cut yarn and (if desired) carefully melt the ends with a lighter (adults only!) to prevent fraying.
4. Ribbon/Bow Accessory
- Make a magic ring.
- Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st into the ring (forms one half of the bow).
- Repeat this set to form the other half of the bow:
Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st into the ring. - Tighten the ring.
- Leave a long tail, then wrap the tail around the center of the bow to create shape.
- Use the tail to sew or tie the bow onto the octopus.
Assembly & Finished Size
- Check that all tentacles are secure and the body is fully closed with even sc along edges.
- Attach your key ring to the top loop.
- Sew or tie the bow accessory to the octopus as a cute finishing touch.
- Your finished octopus keychain should be about 5–7 cm wide, plus the keychain loop.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now made your own crochet octopus keychain, complete with a fun little bow. This project is a great way to practice basic crochet stitches, increases, and creative assembly. Perfect for gifts, bags, keys, or just to bring a smile wherever you go.
