Dinosaurs never go out of style — and as keychains, they are some of the most giftable little projects you can crochet. A tiny T-Rex on a backpack, a triceratops on a set of keys, a brontosaurus clipped to a tote: small, cheerful, and quick enough to finish in an evening or two. This roundup collects 10 genuinely free crochet dinosaur keychain patterns from independent designers, so you can pick your favourite species and start right away.
Every pattern below is free on the designer’s own page. A few designers also sell an optional ad-free PDF of the same pattern — the free version on the page is the one linked here. Where a pattern is a mini amigurumi rather than a keychain-titled design, that is stated honestly, along with the small step needed to turn it into a keychain.
What makes a good crochet dinosaur keychain pattern?
A good dinosaur keychain pattern keeps three things in balance: size, sturdiness, and simplicity. Keychain dinos usually measure about 2 to 5 inches tall — big enough to show the species, small enough to carry comfortably. Tight stitches matter more than fancy yarn: a slightly smaller hook than the yarn label suggests keeps stuffing from peeking through and helps the little legs and tails hold their shape. And for a first dino, a no-sew pattern (where the head, body, and tail are worked in one piece) saves a surprising amount of finishing time.
Keychain-ready dinosaur patterns
These five patterns are written as keychains (or explicitly keychain-sized), so the hardware step is already part of the design.
1. Micro Dinosaur Keychain by Life with Bubbins
If you like truly tiny makes, this is the smallest dino in the roundup. It is worked in embroidery floss with a 1.30mm hook, which gives a delicate, keychain-perfect miniature. The pattern is written out in full on the page, and an ad-free PDF is sold separately. Free pattern: Micro Dinosaur Keychain by Life with Bubbins
2. Amigurumi Dinosaur Keychain by Amigurumi Corner
This cheerful little dino is worked in one piece from tail to head, with a decorative scalloped collar added at the end. Keychain hardware is listed in the materials, so there is no guesswork about finishing. The skill level is not stated on the page, but the single-piece construction keeps the assembly simple. Free pattern: Amigurumi Dinosaur Keychain by Amigurumi Corner
3. Tiny-Rex the Pocket Dino by Sweet Softies
A no-sew favourite: Tiny-Rex is rated beginner/easy by the designer and takes around 30 minutes to make. Worked in bulky yarn it stands about 3.5 inches tall; worked in worsted weight with a 2.75mm hook, it shrinks to a 2-inch keychain size. The page includes both the written pattern and a video tutorial. Free pattern: Tiny-Rex the Pocket Dino by Sweet Softies
4. Backpack Bronto by The Loopy Lamb
A long-necked brontosaurus of about 5 inches, designed to clip to a bag with a carabiner. The designer rates it easy: it uses basic stitches only and needs no colour changes, which makes it a calm, relaxing make. Free pattern: Backpack Bronto by The Loopy Lamb
5. Mini Dinosaur by Crochet Musings (via Ravelry)
This one-piece, no-sew mini is described by its designer as “a little complicated” and explicitly “perfect keychain size”. The Ravelry page links to a free video tutorial, with a printable PDF sold separately. It is the best pick in this list if you already know the basics and want a slightly more involved mini. Free pattern: Mini Dinosaur by Crochet Musings
Mini dinos to turn into keychains
These five patterns are mini amigurumi dinosaurs rather than keychain-titled designs. The conversion is the same in every case: once your dino is stuffed and closed, thread a jump ring through the top of the head (or through a short crocheted loop) and attach a split ring or lobster clasp. A dab of glue on the knot keeps the hardware secure.
6. Triceratops Ornament by Nicole Chase
Nicole Chase’s triceratops is written as an ornament, and the designer rates it Advanced Beginner. The conversion is spelled out in the pattern itself: swap the hanger for a key ring and you have a keychain. The full written pattern is on the page. Free pattern: Triceratops Ornament by Nicole Chase
7. Mini Chubby Dino by Studio Phoebe (via Ribblr)
A plump little dino offered as a free interactive ePattern on Ribblr — you may need a free Ribblr account to view the full instructions. The designer rates it intermediate. The page shows 111 makers who shared finished projects, with 100% recommending it and 97% finding it easy to follow. Add a keyring to the top to finish it as a keychain. Free pattern: Mini Chubby Dino by Studio Phoebe
8. Mini-Dino by Merry Makes
Designed as a fast market make, this Mini-Dino uses fewer stitches than the Timothy T-Rex it was inspired by, so it works up quickly in batches. The page gives the full written pattern plus a video tutorial. The skill level is not stated on the page. Add a keyring to turn it into a keychain. Free pattern: Mini-Dino by Merry Makes
9. No-Sew Quick Mini Dino by Rose and Lily Amigurumi
Another no-sew option: the head and body are worked in one piece, and the spike ridge is crocheted directly onto the back using a chain-3 spike technique — no sewing the spikes on one by one. The page includes the full written pattern and a video tutorial. The skill level is not stated on the page. Add a keyring to finish it as a keychain. Free pattern: No-Sew Quick Mini Dino by Rose and Lily Amigurumi
10. Mini Tanner the Triceratops by Nicole Chase
A smaller replica of Nicole Chase’s popular Tanner pattern, with a full video tutorial alongside the written pattern (an ad-free PDF is sold separately). The skill level is not stated on the pattern pages. Work it in a lighter yarn than the original to land at a comfortable keychain size. Free pattern: Mini Tanner the Triceratops by Nicole Chase
Which dinosaur keychain should you make first?
Short on time? Start with Tiny-Rex (no-sew, about 30 minutes) or the No-Sew Quick Mini Dino. Want a bigger statement piece for a bag? Backpack Bronto clips straight on with a carabiner. Making a gift for a triceratops fan? You have two options from the same designer — the ornament conversion and Mini Tanner — so you can pick the size that suits your yarn. And if you enjoy animal keychains generally, the same small-amigurumi approach works across species: try a frog, a turtle, an axolotl, or an octopus next.
| Pattern | Species | Construction | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro Dinosaur (Life with Bubbins) | Generic dino | Embroidery floss, 1.30mm hook | True miniatures |
| Amigurumi Dinosaur (Amigurumi Corner) | Generic dino | One piece, scalloped collar | Simple one-piece makes |
| Tiny-Rex (Sweet Softies) | T-Rex | No-sew, ~30 min | Beginners, quick gifts |
| Backpack Bronto (The Loopy Lamb) | Brontosaurus | Easy, no colour changes | Bag clips |
| Mini Dinosaur (Crochet Musings) | Generic dino | No-sew, one piece | Confident beginners |
| Triceratops Ornament (Nicole Chase) | Triceratops | Advanced Beginner | Triceratops fans |
| Mini Chubby Dino (Studio Phoebe) | Generic dino | Intermediate, Ribblr ePattern | Plump minis |
| Mini-Dino (Merry Makes) | Generic dino | Fast, few stitches | Batch making |
| No-Sew Quick Mini Dino (Rose and Lily) | Generic dino | No-sew, crocheted-on spikes | No-sew fans |
| Mini Tanner (Nicole Chase) | Triceratops | Video tutorial included | Video learners |
How do you turn a mini amigurumi dinosaur into a keychain?
Finish and stuff your dinosaur as the pattern directs, then close the top neatly. Thread a jump ring through the top of the head — or through a short loop of chain stitches crocheted at the crown — and attach a split ring or a lobster clasp. Pull the jump ring closed with pliers so it cannot work open in a bag, and if you knotted a yarn loop, add a tiny drop of glue to the knot. That is all there is to it: five of the patterns above need exactly this one step, and nothing else changes.
Tips for neat, sturdy dinosaur keychains
Use a hook one size smaller than your yarn label suggests so the stitches stay tight and the stuffing stays hidden. Stuff firmly but not to bursting — an overstuffed dino stretches the stitches and shows white gaps. For safety eyes on a keychain that a small child might carry, embroider the eyes with yarn instead; safety eyes are fine for older kids and adults, but embroidered eyes can never come loose. Finally, weave in ends thoroughly: a keychain gets tugged and jostled far more than a shelf ornament, so a loose end will find its way out.
If you are building a little collection, the same approach carries across to other animals — the easy crochet keychain patterns roundup and the broader crochet bag charms collection are good places to find your next make.
Can beginners crochet a dinosaur keychain?
Yes. Start with the patterns the designers rate easy or beginner — Tiny-Rex by Sweet Softies and Backpack Bronto by The Loopy Lamb are both rated easy, and both are no-sew or nearly so. Save the intermediate patterns, like Studio Phoebe’s Mini Chubby Dino, until you are comfortable with basic amigurumi increases and decreases.
What yarn is best for a crochet dinosaur keychain?
A smooth cotton or acrylic in DK or worsted weight works well, paired with a hook one size smaller than the yarn label suggests. Tight stitches keep the stuffing hidden and help small parts like tails and legs hold their shape. Embroidery floss with a 1.30mm hook, as in the Life with Bubbins pattern, gives a true miniature.
Are these dinosaur keychain patterns really free?
Yes. Every pattern linked above is free to read on the designer’s own page at the time of writing. A few designers also sell an optional ad-free PDF of the same pattern, and the Ribblr pattern may need a free Ribblr account to view. The free on-page version is the one linked here.
How long does a crochet dinosaur keychain take to make?
It depends on size and pattern. The designer of Tiny-Rex estimates about 30 minutes for that pattern. Most small dinosaur keychains are an evening project; the larger ones, like the roughly 5-inch Backpack Bronto, take a little longer.
How do I attach a keyring to a crochet dinosaur?
Thread a jump ring through the top of the finished head, or through a short crocheted loop at the crown, then attach a split ring or lobster clasp. Close the jump ring firmly with pliers so it cannot work open in a bag, and add a tiny drop of glue to any yarn knot for extra security.
