Cats are one of the most crocheted animals on the internet — and they make perfect keychains. Small, quick, and endlessly customizable, a crochet cat keychain is the kind of project you can finish in an evening and gift, sell, or clip to your own bag. Below you’ll find 10 genuinely free cat keychain patterns: classic minis, Halloween-ready black cats, a no-sew strawberry cat, and character designs, with notes on skill level and materials so you can pick the right one.
Which cat keychain pattern should you pick?
A good cat keychain pattern is small (most finish around 6–8 cm), worked in tight single-crochet rounds so the stuffing doesn’t show, and includes a clear way to attach the key ring — usually a crocheted loop or a sewn-in jump ring. If you’re new to amigurumi, start with a beginner pattern in worsted-weight yarn; if you hate sewing pieces together, look for a no-sew option. Here’s a quick guide:
| If you want… | Start with |
|---|---|
| The easiest first cat | #1 — Crochetic’s beginner cat keychain |
| A no-sew project | #8 — Strawberry cat keychain (video tutorial) |
| A Halloween-ready black cat | #4 or #5 — two black cat designs |
| A character/cat-with-a-twist | #8 (strawberry) or #10 (fat cat) |
| A step-by-step video | #8 or #9 — both have full video walkthroughs |
The 10 free crochet cat keychain patterns
1. Beginner Cat Keychain — Crochetic
A simple, beginner-friendly cat keychain worked in the round with basic stitches. The pattern uses worsted-weight yarn in your choice of cat color, a 3.5 or 4.0 mm hook, and embroidered eyes — no safety eyes needed. A solid first amigurumi if you’ve never made a stuffed toy before. Free pattern at Crochetic
2. Cute Cat Keychain — Crochetto
Updated this month, this free pattern makes a 6–7 cm cat in continuous rounds, with a light brown body and cream belly panel. It calls for a 2–2.5 mm hook and small 4–5 mm safety eyes, giving the finished cat a neat, shop-bought look. The designer rates it easy to intermediate. Free pattern at Crochetto
3. Plush One-Piece Cat Keychain — Amigurumi Cat
Made with plush yarn and a 4 mm hook, this cat comes out around 7 cm and — unusually for amigurumi — the cat itself is worked as a single piece, so there’s almost no sewing. Just add the keychain ring when you’re done. A good pick if you like chenille-style plush yarn. Free pattern at Amigurumi Cat
4. Easy Black Cat Keychain — Direct Source Yarn
A full step-by-step black cat keychain: head, ears, body, arms, and legs, all written out round by round. The designer marks it beginner-friendly, and the finished cat works as a Halloween charm or a year-round lucky black cat. If you want a structured project with every part spelled out, start here. Free pattern at Direct Source Yarn
5. Black Cat Keychain or Jewelry — My Fingers Fly
This versatile Lisa Ferrel design scales with your materials: make it in crochet thread for a 1.75-inch pendant, or in worsted yarn with a G hook for a 3.25-inch keychain. It uses under 10 yards of yarn for the keychain version, so it’s a true stash buster — and a natural fit for Halloween crafting. Free pattern at My Fingers Fly
6. Black Cat Keychain — Ribblr (free ePattern)
A free interactive Ribblr ePattern for a black cat keychain, rated beginner-friendly by the platform’s FAQ. Like all Ribblr patterns, you get row-by-row tracking, built-in stitch tutorials, and US/UK term switching — handy if you’re still learning to read patterns. Makers who finished it rate it easy to follow. Free pattern on Ribblr
7. Cat Head Keychain — River Dragon’s Crafts on Ribblr
This free Ribblr ePattern makes just the cat’s head as the keychain — a faster project than a full-body cat, and a cute one. The original was designed in size 6 blanket yarn with a 6.5 mm hook, but the pattern notes you can scale it up or down by changing yarn weight. Marked intermediate by the designer. Free pattern on Ribblr
8. No-Sew Strawberry Cat Keychain — ToysByValerie (video)
The character pick of the list: a strawberry-themed cat keychain where the head and ears are completely no-sew — you only stitch on the green leaf details. The full tutorial is free on YouTube (about 25 minutes), worked in YarnArt Jeans with a 2.1–2.5 mm hook. If you liked the fruit-cat trend, this one pairs perfectly with our strawberry keychain patterns. Free video tutorial on YouTube
9. Easy Cat Keychain Tutorial — Amy’s DIY Frugal Life (video + text)
A written tutorial with an embedded video walkthrough: chain-based cat face worked in worsted-weight yarn with an F hook, finished with a keychain ring. The design is deliberately simple and relaxing — a good evening project when you want something cute without counting complex rounds. Free tutorial at Amy’s DIY Frugal Life
10. Fat Cat Amigurumi Keychain — Crochet Everything
A chubby cat worked with orange, white, and gray color changes and bobble-stitch paws — the most detailed design on this list, best for crocheters comfortable with colorwork. The full pattern (rounds 7–16 plus ears, tail, and face details) is free on the page with an accompanying video. Attach your preferred keychain hardware to finish. Free pattern at Crochet Everything
What do you need to make a crochet cat keychain?
Cat keychains are some of the cheapest projects in crochet — most need only a few grams of yarn. That said, three small choices make a big difference in how your cat turns out.
| Supply | What to choose |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Worsted-weight cotton or acrylic for crisp stitches; plush/chenille yarn for a soft toy look. Black yarn for black cats — use good lighting so you can see your stitches. |
| Hook | Go 1–2 sizes smaller than the yarn label suggests (e.g. 2.5–3.5 mm for worsted). Tight stitches keep the stuffing hidden. |
| Eyes | 6–9 mm safety eyes for a polished look, or embroider them with black yarn — safer for gifts to small children. |
| Hardware | Split rings, lobster clasps, or ball-chain keychains. Add a short chain if you want the cat to dangle freely from a bag. |
| Stuffing | Polyester fiberfill; a toothpick or chopstick helps push it into small heads. |
How do you attach a keychain to a crochet cat?
Most patterns include an attachment method, but if yours doesn’t, you have three reliable options. First, crochet a small loop at the top of the head (a chain of 6–10 stitches, slipped back into the head) and thread a split ring through it — this is the sturdiest method. Second, sew a metal jump ring directly into the top stitches with the yarn tail, weaving it through several times. Third, for a removable option, attach a lobster clasp to a short chain and loop the chain through the head. Whichever you choose, tug-test the attachment before gifting — keychains take daily abuse.
More keychain patterns to try
If cats aren’t your thing — or you’ve caught the keychain bug — here are more free roundups from the same series: owl keychains, axolotl keychains, mushroom keychains, and easy keychain patterns for beginners. For seasonal makes, see our Halloween keychain patterns.
Frequently asked questions
Cat keychains are the perfect stash project: tiny, fast, and always giftable. Pick one pattern from the list, grab your smallest hook, and you’ll have a finished feline on your keys by tonight. Happy crocheting!
What yarn is best for a crochet cat keychain?
Worsted-weight cotton or acrylic gives the crispest stitches for amigurumi cats, and plush or chenille yarn makes a softer toy-style cat. Use a hook 1–2 sizes smaller than the yarn label suggests so your stitches are tight and the stuffing doesn’t show through.
How do you attach a keychain to a crochet cat?
The sturdiest method is a crocheted loop — chain 6–10 stitches at the top of the head and slip-stitch back in — then thread a split ring through it. You can also sew a metal jump ring into the top stitches with the yarn tail, or use a lobster clasp on a short chain for a removable option.
Are crochet cat keychains good for beginners?
Yes. Most are worked in simple single-crochet rounds using only increases and decreases. Start with a pattern marked beginner-friendly, like the Crochetic or Direct Source Yarn designs in this roundup, and use a light-colored yarn so you can see your stitches.
How long does it take to crochet a cat keychain?
Because they’re tiny, most cat keychains are evening or weekend projects. Simpler one-piece or head-only designs can be finished in a single sitting, while colorwork designs like the fat cat take a little longer.
Can I sell crochet cat keychains at craft fairs?
Generally yes — most free pattern designers allow selling finished items, and some (like the Ribblr patterns in this list) explicitly say so. Always check each designer’s terms first; some ask for design credit in your listing.
