Reindeer keychains are one of the easiest Christmas makes to get right: small, quick, instantly recognisable, and genuinely useful once they are on someone’s keys or bag. This roundup collects 10 free crochet reindeer keychain patterns, each verified free at the time of writing — no paywalled surprises, no sign-up traps.
It starts with patterns designed as keychains, then moves to keychain-scale minis that need nothing more than a ring or clasp, and finishes with a hat-wearing reindeer whose pattern page includes its own keychain conversion. Pick by skill level and by how much sewing you want to do — the no-sew options are flagged in the chooser table below.
Which reindeer keychain pattern should you pick first?
If you are a beginner, start with one of the no-sew minis: fewer pieces to attach means fewer chances for a wobbly antler. If you want a finished look with minimal finishing, the keychain-first patterns at the top of the list are the safest bet. And if you are making a batch for gifts or a craft fair, pick one pattern and repeat it — consistent sizing and a single yarn palette look far more professional than ten different one-offs.
| Pattern | Format | Best for | Sewing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lennutas Little Reindeer Keychain | Written + free PDF | Keychain-first classic | Some sewing |
| owls_happiness Reindeer Keychain (Amigurumi Receitas) | Written + free PDF | Keychain-first classic | Some sewing |
| Supergurumi Mini Noso Reindeer | Written | Beginners, no-sew | No-sew |
| Yarn Society Pocket Reindeer | Written + video | Stocking stuffers | No-sew |
| Natalina Craft No-Sew Reindeer | Written | Beginners, no-sew | No-sew |
| Darling Maple Lil’ Loops Reindeer | Written + video | Low-sew with guidance | Low-sew |
| TopAmigurumi Reindeer with Cozy Hat | Written | Bag charms, character look | Some sewing |
| Amigurumi Today Small Reindeer | Written | Beginners, small gift | Some sewing |
| Mayy Crochet Reindeer Keychain Tutorial | Video | Visual learners | Some sewing |
| Reindeer Keychains & Bag Charms Tutorial | Video | Keychains and bag charms | Some sewing |
Keychain-first reindeer patterns
These two were designed as keychains from the start, so the proportions, hardware placement, and finishing are already worked out for you.
1. Little Reindeer Keychain by Lennutas
A classic keychain-scale reindeer with a free written pattern and a free PDF. If you want one pattern that looks exactly like a reindeer keychain should — small, tidy, and ready to clip on — start here.
Free pattern: Little Reindeer Keychain by Lennutas
2. Reindeer Keychain by owls_happiness (Amigurumi Receitas)
A keychain-scale amigurumi reindeer by designer owls_happiness, shared as a free PDF on Amigurumi Receitas. Link to this credited source — near-identical text also circulates on a mirror site, and the original designer deserves the traffic.
Free pattern: Reindeer Keychain by owls_happiness
No-sew and low-sew reindeer minis
No-sew patterns are the fastest route to a finished keychain: the head, body, and muzzle are worked in one piece or joined as you go, so the only finishing is weaving in ends and adding the hardware. These four are all keychain-scale — just add a split ring or lobster clasp.
3. Mini Noso Reindeer by Supergurumi
A tiny no-sew reindeer, about 6.5 cm tall, worked in basic stitches — an easy, genuinely quick make. The pattern is free on the designer’s site; the paid PDF on Etsy is simply an ad-free version of the same pattern, so link to the free page.
Free pattern: Mini Noso Reindeer by Supergurumi
4. Pocket Reindeer by Yarn Society
A no-sew pocket-sized reindeer, roughly 3.5 inches tall, with a full written pattern and a video tutorial. The advanced-beginner rating comes from the shaping rather than the sewing — there is none. Stocking-stuffer scale, and it sits neatly on a keyring.
Free pattern: Pocket Reindeer by Yarn Society
5. No-Sew Crochet Reindeer by Natalina Craft
A straightforward no-sew mini with the full pattern free on the page. A good choice if you want the simplest possible path from yarn to keychain: crochet it, weave in the ends, add hardware, done.
Free pattern: No-Sew Crochet Reindeer by Natalina Craft
6. Lil’ Loops Reindeer by Darling Maple Designs
A low-sew reindeer, about 4.5 inches tall, with a free written pattern and a full video tutorial walking through every step. The free version lives on the designer’s blog; the paid option is only an ad-free PDF. A good pick if you like video guidance but still want a written pattern to follow.
Free pattern: Lil’ Loops Reindeer by Darling Maple Designs
Keychain-scale minis and a hat reindeer you can convert
These last four are not all titled “keychain”, but each one works at keychain scale — small, light, and sturdy enough to hang from a ring. The hat reindeer even includes its own conversion notes.
7. Little Reindeer with Cozy Hat by TopAmigurumi
A characterful reindeer in a cozy hat. The pattern page itself includes a section on using it as a keychain or bag charm, with instructions for sewing a ring or clasp to the hat — follow that and you get a finished charm with a little extra personality.
Free pattern: Little Reindeer with Cozy Hat by TopAmigurumi
8. Small Reindeer by Amigurumi Today
A beginner-friendly small reindeer, about 7 cm tall, with the full pattern free on the page. Keep the stuffing firm and the stitches tight so it holds its shape on a keyring.
Free pattern: Small Reindeer by Amigurumi Today
9. Easy Christmas Reindeer Keychain Tutorial by Mayy Crochet (video)
A full beginner-friendly video tutorial for a Christmas reindeer keychain. Video patterns are ideal if you want to see exactly how the antlers and muzzle come together before you commit yarn.
Free tutorial: Easy Christmas Reindeer Keychain by Mayy Crochet
10. Reindeer Christmas Ornaments / Crochet Keychains & Bag Charms (video)
The freshest tutorial in this roundup, covering reindeer that work as ornaments, keychains, and bag charms. If you want one project that can become three different gifts, this is it — make the same reindeer, change only the hardware.
Free tutorial: Reindeer Christmas Ornaments / Crochet Keychains & Bag Charms
How do you turn a mini reindeer into a keychain?
For any mini that is not already a keychain, the conversion takes two minutes. Thread a split ring or a lobster clasp through a sturdy stitch at the top of the head — between the antlers is the natural balance point — and close it with jump-ring pliers. For a cleaner finish, crochet a small loop at the top before fastening off, or sew a ribbon loop to the head with a few firm stitches. Use a metal ring rather than a yarn loop for anything that will live on a keyring: yarn loops wear through, metal does not.
Two details make the difference between a charm that lasts and one that falls apart. First, weave in ends properly — short, loose ends work free in a bag within days. Second, keep the stuffing firm. A softly stuffed reindeer looks fine on a shelf, but on keys it gets squashed flat; a firmly stuffed one keeps its shape.
What yarn and hook work best for reindeer keychains?
Each pattern lists its own yarn and hook, so follow the designer’s recommendation first. As a general rule, a smooth DK or worsted-weight cotton or acrylic gives crisp stitch definition at small scale, and going down half a hook size from the yarn label keeps the stuffing from showing through. Safety eyes are the standard choice for keychains; if the keychain is for a small child, embroider the eyes with black yarn instead — safer, and it still looks sweet.
More Christmas crochet to make with your reindeer
Reindeer keychains pair naturally with the rest of a Christmas crochet gift set. Make a batch alongside free crochet Santa keychain patterns and free crochet Christmas tree keychain patterns for a matching trio, add free crochet snowflake keychain patterns for a winter set, or tuck one into a gift bag with a piece from the free crochet Christmas gift patterns roundup. They also work as bag charms — see free crochet Christmas bag charm patterns — or as tree ornaments alongside the free crochet Christmas ornament patterns. If you are new to keychains in general, 25 easy crochet keychain patterns for beginners is the best place to build confidence first.
Frequently asked questions
Are these crochet reindeer keychain patterns really free?
Yes. Every pattern in this roundup was verified free at the time of writing — full written patterns on the designer’s site, free PDFs, or complete video tutorials. Where a designer also sells an ad-free PDF, the free version is linked.
Can beginners crochet a reindeer keychain?
Yes. Start with one of the no-sew minis, such as the Supergurumi Mini Noso Reindeer or the Natalina Craft No-Sew Reindeer. They use basic stitches and have no separate pieces to sew on, which makes them the most forgiving first reindeer projects.
How do I attach a keyring to a crochet reindeer?
Thread a split ring or lobster clasp through a sturdy stitch at the top of the head, between the antlers, and close it with jump-ring pliers. For a tidier finish, crochet a small loop at the top before fastening off, or sew a ribbon loop to the head with firm stitches.
Can I sell reindeer keychains made from these patterns?
It depends on the designer. Most free patterns allow selling finished items with credit to the designer, but some restrict commercial use. Check the terms on each pattern page before selling, and always credit the designer.
How long does a crochet reindeer keychain take to make?
These are small projects, so most take a single evening once you are comfortable with the stitches. No-sew minis are the fastest because there is no assembly; patterns with separate antlers, ears, and muzzles to sew on take a little longer.
