Why jellyfish make such good keychains
A jellyfish is almost designed for a keychain: a small round bell, a few curly tentacles, and nothing fiddly to sew on. Most of the patterns below work up in an evening, use only a small amount of yarn, and look just as good in bright colours as they do in soft pastels. They are also forgiving first amigurumi projects — if a tentacle curls a little differently from the photo, it still looks like a jellyfish.
Before you start, a quick note on size: a jellyfish made in worsted-weight yarn with a 3.5–4 mm hook usually ends up palm-sized, which is big for a keyring. For a true keychain, use DK or cotton yarn with a 2.5–3 mm hook, or follow the mini versions flagged below. Attach the hardware before you close the bell, and weave the ends in well — keychains get tugged a lot.
How to choose the right jellyfish pattern
Use this quick guide to match a pattern to your skill level and the time you have:
| If you want… | Start with… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The fastest finish | A no-sew mini | One piece, no assembly, done in well under an hour |
| A first amigurumi | A beginner pattern with a video | You can see each round worked, not just read it |
| A gift that looks polished | A pattern with a ruffled skirt or bobble tentacles | The extra texture reads as detail, not difficulty |
| A scrap-buster | Any mini in this list | Most use under 50 yards of yarn |
10 free crochet jellyfish keychain patterns
Every pattern below is free to read in full on the designer’s own page, with no purchase needed. The first four are designed as keychains; the rest are mini jellyfish that work as keychains with a smaller hook and a keyring added at the top, and that is flagged honestly on each one. No paid patterns are mixed in.
Keychain-first designs
1. Crochet Jellyfish Keychain — Jen Hayes Creations
A spherical kawaii jellyfish with a scalloped edge, cascading tentacles and an embroidered face, about 3 inches tall, plus a 1.5-inch miniature version worked in thread. Advanced beginner level. The pattern itself notes you can attach a keyring or lobster clasp to the top. Get the free pattern from Jen Hayes Creations.
2. Crochet Baby Jellyfish Keychain Amigurumi — MominaStitch
A pocket-sized baby jellyfish with a smooth dome, a ruffled skirt edge, and a choice of curly-chain or cord tentacles. Beginner level, about 60–80 minutes, and it includes a dedicated top hanging loop for the split ring, so the hardware sits exactly where it should. Get the free pattern from MominaStitch.
3. Playful Jellyfish Keychain — DIY Crafts
A textured jellyfish with three large and four small tentacles and a bubble-stitch frill around the body, worked with a colour change. The written pattern and video walk through the body, both tentacle sizes and the frill. Get the free pattern from DIY Crafts.
4. Free Jellyfish Keychain Crochet Pattern — Crochet Patterns for Beginners
An easy first amigurumi: a round head, a ruffled skirt and five chain tentacles that curl by themselves, worked in cotton with a keychain ring. Every round is written out, and a free printable PDF is offered at the end. Get the free pattern on Medium.
No-sew and one-piece quick makes
5. No-Sew Crochet Jellyfish — VivCrochets
Made all in one piece, so there is nothing to sew together: a 6 cm by 10 cm jellyfish with popcorn-stitch detailing, a written pattern and a video tutorial. Beginner-friendly, and the page itself says you can make it into a keychain — a keychain clasp is listed as an optional material. Get the free pattern from VivCrochets.
6. Galaxy Jellyfish — Sweet Softies
A no-sew jellyfish in self-striping yarn with both curly and thin straight tentacles, so no two come out alike. The page says it makes a great keychain with thin yarn — use a 2.25 mm hook and thin yarn to keep it keychain-sized. Get the free pattern from Sweet Softies.
Mini amigurumi to turn into keychains
Each pattern below is a small jellyfish rather than a designed keychain. Add a keyring to the top of the bell and, if needed, drop down a hook size to keep it pocket-sized.
7. Bjorn’s Catnip Jellyfish Toy — Kristin Omdahl
A two-part head — a flat circle and a cup — with long chain tentacles weighted with popcorn stitches. Beginner level, using only basic stitches, and finished in an afternoon. Skip the catnip and use it as a keychain or bag charm, exactly as the page suggests. Get the free pattern from Kristin Omdahl.
8. Julie the Jellyfish — Nicole Chase
A 2.5-inch body (about 8 inches with tentacles) with shell edging, four spiral oral-arm curls and alternating straight and slip-stitch tentacles in three colours. Advanced beginner level, with a full video alongside the written pattern. Add a keyring to the top to make it a keychain. Get the free pattern from Nicole Chase.
9. Jenni the Jellyfish — The Blue Elephants
A one-piece jellyfish with no seaming, in simple stitches, stated at one to two hours — a craft-fair staple precisely because it is quick. Add a keyring and work it in a smaller hook size for a true keychain. Get the free pattern from The Blue Elephants.
10. Free Jellyfish Crochet Pattern — Hooked by Kati
A 3.5-inch tall jellyfish (9 inches with dangling tentacles) worked in continuous rounds in US terms — a good craft-fair filler and an easy beginner make. Add a keyring at the top and keep the tentacles on the shorter side for a keychain. Get the free pattern from Hooked by Kati.
Turning a mini jellyfish into a keychain
Most jellyfish patterns finish with a closed bell, so the conversion is simple: before the final rounds, thread a small jump ring or a keychain clasp through the top of the bell and crochet over it, or sew a short loop of yarn at the top and clip the ring through it. Use a split ring rather than a thin jump ring for anything that will live on a bag — it will not pull open. If the tentacles are long, keep them shorter than the bell is wide so they do not tangle with other keys.
For gifts, make a set in one colour family — three pastels, or three ocean blues — and vary only the tentacle style. A set looks deliberate even when each jellyfish took less than an hour.
How long does a crochet jellyfish keychain take to make?
Most minis take 30 minutes to an hour once you know the stitches; larger or textured versions take two to three hours. The bell is just a small sphere, and the tentacles are chains, so there is very little sewing.
What yarn is best for a jellyfish keychain?
Cotton yarn holds the bell’s shape and shows stitch definition well, which suits a small charm. Acrylic works too and is softer, but it stretches slightly with use, so keep the stuffing firm.
Do I need safety eyes for a jellyfish keychain?
No — many jellyfish look charming with embroidered eyes or no face at all. If the keychain is for a young child, embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes.
How do I stop the tentacles from tangling?
Keep tentacles short and slightly different lengths, and use a yarn that holds a curl rather than a limp one. Storing the keychain clipped to a bag loop, rather than loose in a pocket, helps too.
Can beginners make a crochet jellyfish keychain?
Yes — a jellyfish is one of the friendliest first amigurumi projects. You need only a magic ring, single crochet, increases and decreases, and chains for the tentacles.
More keychain patterns to try next
If you like ocean charms, the free crochet octopus keychain patterns and free crochet whale keychain patterns use the same basic skills. For other small animals, try the turtle keychain patterns, the axolotl keychain patterns, or the general easy crochet keychain patterns for beginners.
