Yesterday afternoon, after finishing up my weekly grocery run and tidying up the kitchen, I decided to sit down in my favorite armchair for a quiet hour of crafting. I was rummaging through my stash of plush velvet yarn scraps when I noticed several bright yellow skeins left over from a larger blanket project. They were just sitting there, waiting to be turned into something cheerful. I thought it would be lovely to craft a few quick, smiling plushies to hook onto backpacks or keep around the house to brighten up the room. This Free Amigurumi Pattern Cute Emoji Plush Keychains set is such a joyful, quick project that instantly puts a smile on your face. Each little sphere comes together in just a few rounds, making it an ideal weekend craft or a sweet handmade surprise for neighbors and friends.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Himalaya Dolphin Baby plush yarn in yellow
• Embroidery Thread: Black Iris cotton thread for embroidering smiles and securing eyes
• Detail Yarn: Pekhorka “Children’s New” (or fine sport weight acrylic yarn) in red for hearts and tongue
• Crochet Hook: Size 4.5 mm (or any size that matches your yarn gauge)
• Eyes: 4 mm round black beads or half-beads
• Needle: Yarn needle and sewing needle for placing eyes
• Stuffing: Fiberfill polyester stuffing
• Tools: Scissors and craft glue (optional for securing embroidered lines)

Finished Size

• Height: Approximately 6 cm (2.4 inches)

Abbreviations

• ch = chain stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• inc = increase (work 2 sc into the same stitch)
• dec = decrease (work 2 sc together with a common top)
• * = repeat instructions the specified number of times

Pattern Instructions

Emoji Ball Base

• Round 1: 2 ch, work 6 sc into the first ch. (6)
• Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
• Round 3: (1 sc, inc)*6. (18)
• Round 4: (2 sc, inc)*6. (24)
• Round 5: (3 sc, inc)*6. (30)
• Round 6: 30 sc. (30)
• Round 7: 30 sc. (30)
• Round 8: 30 sc. (30)
• Round 9: 30 sc. (30)
• Round 10: (3 sc, dec)*6. (24)
• Round 11: (2 sc, dec)*6. (18)
• Round 12: (1 sc, dec)*6. (12)
• Round 13: 6 dec. (6)

Stuff the ball firmly with fiberfill, but do not close the bottom opening yet. You will use this open space to pull through and tie off the thread ends after attaching the facial features. Once all facial details are embroidered and secured, pull the opening tight, secure the thread, and weave in the end.

Smiling Emoji

• Base: 1 crocheted emoji ball base.
• Eyes: 2 black beads (4 mm diameter).
• Details: Black thread for embroidering the smile.
• Eye Placement: Sew the two beads between Round 5 and Round 6, spacing them 4 sc apart.
• Smile Embroidery: Embroider the smile with a single smooth arc stitch to prevent creases or jagged lines. Position the upper corners of the smile between Round 7 and Round 8.
• Finishing: After embroidering the smile and sewing on the eyes, bring all thread ends inside through the bottom opening, tie them securely, and close the opening.
• Securing: Since the smile is embroidered in one curved stitch, apply a tiny drop of craft glue along the underside of the thread to keep it held in place. Attach a key ring or cord at the top to complete the keychain.

Heart Eyes Emoji

• Base: 1 crocheted emoji ball base.
• Eye Details: 2 crocheted hearts in red yarn.
• Mouth Details: Black thread for embroidering the smile.
• Heart Pattern: Ch 4, then work directly into the first chain stitch: 3 dc, 1 tr, 3 dc, 3 ch, and 1 sl st. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing (or cut the yarn short if gluing).
• Heart Placement: Sew or glue the two red hearts between Round 3 and Round 7, spacing them 2 to 3 sc apart.
• Smile Embroidery: Embroider the smile using the exact same steps and placement as the Smiling Emoji.

Winking Emoji

• Base: 1 crocheted emoji ball base.
• Eye Details: 1 half-bead (or round bead) for the open eye, black thread for the winking eye and smile.
• Tongue Details: 1 crocheted tongue in red yarn.
• Eye Placement: Glue or sew the open bead eye between Round 4 and Round 6.
• Winking Eye: Embroider the squinted winking eye with a single straight stitch across from the bead eye. Apply a tiny dab of glue along the thread edge to secure the line.
• Smile Embroidery: Embroider the curved smile across the lower face following the same technique as the previous emojis.
• Tongue Pattern: Ch 5, then starting from the third chain from the hook, work 3 dc. Fasten off.
• Tongue Placement: Sew or glue the tongue directly beneath the center of the embroidered smile.

Tips for Success

• Keep your tension consistent: Plush velvet yarn stretches easily, so try to keep a firm, even tension to prevent fiberfill stuffing from peeking through the stitches.
• Use a stitch marker: Working in continuous rounds can make it easy to lose track of your starting point, so mark the first stitch of every round.
• Stuff in small pinches: Add small pieces of fiberfill gradually as you complete Round 12 to build a smooth, perfectly round sphere without lumps.
• Use a long needle for facial details: A long doll needle makes it much easier to enter through the open bottom hole and exit exactly where you want to place eyes or smile stitches.
• Secure thread ends inside: Tying off your embroidery threads inside the hollow body before closing Round 13 keeps all knots hidden and ensures details never unravel.
• Add keychains before final closure: If you plan to attach a metal key ring or ribbon loop, weave it securely through the top center ring before completely stuffing and sealing the ball.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of yarn works best for these emoji plushies?

Super bulky plush or chenille yarn creates a soft, squishy texture that makes these keychains feel like mini plushies. However, you can also use standard worsted weight acrylic yarn with a 3.5 mm hook for a smaller, tighter finish.

How do I attach the safety eyes or beads if I close the body?

It is best to attach beads or embroider details before closing the bottom hole. This allows you to pull thread tails into the bottom opening, knot them securely on the inside, and then pull the final round tight.

Can I glue the hearts and eyes instead of sewing them?

Yes, fabric glue or clear craft glue works well on plush yarn. Make sure to press the piece firmly in place and let it dry completely before handling or hanging the keychain.

How do I stop the embroidered smile from shifting over time?

Using a single long stitch for the curved line gives a clean look. Placing a tiny drop of clear craft glue along the underside of the embroidery thread anchors it to the plush fabric permanently.

Are these emoji keychains safe for young children?

If making these for toddlers or young kids, embroider all facial features with dark thread instead of using small beads or half-beads to prevent potential choking hazards.

Conclusion

Creating these little plush friends is such a fun way to spend a quiet afternoon, and they make wonderful handmade gifts for everyone in your life. Whether you hang them on a backpack, attach them to your house keys, or keep a few on your desk to brighten your workspace, this Free Amigurumi Pattern Cute Emoji Plush Keychains set is sure to bring a bit of joy to your routine. I hope you enjoy stitching these sweet faces as much as I did. Happy crocheting, and enjoy every stitch!