Crochet keychains are honestly my favorite quick projects because they’re fast, adorable, and perfect for using up leftover yarn. I started making them when I needed last-minute gifts and now I can’t stop – they take maybe 30 minutes to an hour each, which means you can knock out several in one sitting. They’re great for personalizing your keys, bags, or backpacks, and people genuinely love receiving them as gifts. I’ve made them for teachers, coworkers, friends’ birthdays, and even as party favors. The best part is you can experiment with colors and designs without committing a ton of time or yarn, so it’s a low-pressure way to try new patterns.

What makes keychains so satisfying to make is that you get instant gratification. Unlike bigger projects that take weeks, you can start and finish a keychain in one sitting while watching TV. I always keep a few in my bag for impromptu gifts – you never know when you’ll need a little something for someone. They’re also perfect for beginners who want to practice basic stitches without the pressure of making something huge. The small scale means mistakes aren’t a big deal, and you can try different techniques like color changes, embroidery, or stuffing without wasting materials if it doesn’t work out.

I use cotton yarn for most of my keychains because it holds its shape better and doesn’t pill as much as acrylic when it’s bouncing around in bags and pockets. You’ll also need keychain rings (you can get a pack of 50 online for cheap) and some stuffing if you’re making 3D shapes. Safety eyes make them extra cute, but you can embroider faces too. These ten ideas range from super simple shapes to slightly more detailed characters, but none of them are complicated. Whether you’re making them to sell at craft fairs, give as gifts, or just to add some personality to your own keys, these little keychains are totally worth the small amount of time they take.

1. Tiny Cactus Keychain

This little cactus is probably the easiest project on this list and so stinking cute. You make a small oval in green yarn, add a couple of French knots or small stitches for the spikes, and give it a sweet little face. I made a bunch of these in different shades of green and potted them in tiny crocheted terracotta-colored bases. They’re perfect for people who kill real plants because these ones never die. The whole thing takes about 20 minutes once you get the hang of it, and you barely use any yarn. I’ve given these to so many people and everyone puts them on their bag immediately.

2. Mini Heart Keychain

Hearts are classic and work for so many occasions – Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just because. You crochet a simple flat or stuffed heart shape in whatever color feels right. I like making them in pink and red obviously, but also in someone’s favorite color for a more personal touch. You can add a little loop at the top for the keychain ring. These are great beginner projects because the shape is forgiving and you can make them as simple or detailed as you want. I’ve made flat ones that take 15 minutes and stuffed puffy ones that take closer to 30. Both versions are adorable.

3. Smiley Face Keychain

These happy little faces are instant mood-boosters. You make a flat yellow circle and embroider a simple smiley face – two dots for eyes and a curved line for the smile. That’s literally it. I made a bunch of these for my daughter’s friends and they were a huge hit. You can change up the expressions too – winking faces, silly tongues out, sleepy eyes. The yellow circle works up super fast, and the embroidery takes just a few minutes. It’s one of those projects that looks way cuter than the amount of effort required, which I always appreciate.

4. Little Strawberry Keychain

Fruit keychains are weirdly popular and strawberries are the cutest. You make a small red cone shape, add tiny yellow seeds with embroidery or French knots, and crochet a green leafy top. The whole thing is maybe two inches tall and uses barely any yarn. I like making these in sets of different fruits for gift baskets. The cone shape is easy to stuff so it has a nice plump look, and the green leaves on top make it recognizable even from far away. These take about 30-40 minutes including the embroidery details.

5. Tiny Mushroom Keychain

Mushrooms are having such a moment and they’re perfect for keychains. You make a small stem and a round cap, usually in red with white spots for that classic toadstool look. I’ve also done them in pastel colors which looks super dreamy. The cap and stem are made separately and then sewn together, which sounds complicated but is actually really simple. You can add a little face on the stem if you want it extra cute. The whole project takes about 45 minutes and looks so whimsical on bags or keys.

6. Simple Flower Keychain

These little flowers are so cheerful and you can make them in any color combination. I usually do a simple five-petal flower with a contrasting center – like white petals with a yellow center, or pink petals with a cream center. They’re completely flat which makes them quick to work up, and you can layer two flowers in different sizes for more dimension. I’ve made these for spring-themed gift bags and they’re always a hit. The whole thing takes maybe 20 minutes and you can make them super scrappy with leftover yarn bits.

7. Mini Donut Keychain

These are so fun and everyone gets a kick out of them. You make a small ring shape in tan or brown for the donut base, then add “frosting” on top in pink, chocolate brown, or any color. I use tiny seed beads or French knots for sprinkles, which is the most time-consuming part but also what makes them look legit. You stuff the donut so it’s nice and puffy. The whole thing takes about an hour with all the sprinkle details, but it’s worth it because they’re adorable and everyone always comments on them.

8. Tiny Bear Head Keychain

This little bear face is simple but so cute. You make a round head, add two small circular ears on top, embroider or use safety eyes, and add a little nose and mouth. I usually make these in brown or cream, but pastel bears in pink or blue are adorable too. The flat back means it sits nicely on bags without being too bulky. It takes about 40 minutes including the face details. These are great for kids’ backpacks or as zipper pulls. I’ve made a whole set of different animal faces using the same basic round head pattern.

9. Star Keychain

Stars are simple shapes that look really polished when you make them as keychains. You crochet a five-pointed star in one color, and you can make it flat or stuff it slightly for dimension. I’ve done metallic gold and silver ones that look really fancy, and also bright rainbow stars for kids. The points need to be worked carefully to keep them sharp, but once you get the hang of the pattern it’s easy. These take about 25-30 minutes and look great clustered together on a bag. They’re gender-neutral which makes them perfect for any gift.

10. Mini Cloud Keychain

These fluffy little clouds are so calming and cute. You make a cloud shape in white or cream yarn, usually with a flat back and a stuffed front so it’s puffy. Some people add a little rainbow or raindrop dangles underneath, but I like keeping mine simple. The cloud shape is basically just making bumpy rounds that connect together. You can add a sleepy face with closed eyes for a dreamy look, or a happy awake face. These take about 35 minutes and are perfect for bag charms. I’ve given them to friends going through tough times as little reminders that things get better.