The idea for this little spider came to me in the checkout line at the craft store. The woman ahead of me had a Halloween keychain hanging from her purse, covered with colorful beads and a tiny spider charm. It kept swinging back and forth while we waited, and I remember thinking, “That would be ridiculously easy to make with yarn.” By the time I reached my car, I already had a picture of my own version in my head.

I tried it later that evening using a small amount of dark plush yarn and a few beads I already had in my supply drawer. Twenty minutes later, it was finished. No long afternoon of crocheting, no complicated assembly, and almost no yarn used. I clipped the little spider onto my tote bag just to see how it looked and ended up leaving it there.

That’s what makes this Free Amigurumi Pattern Spider Bead Keychain such a handy little stash-buster. You can play around with the bead colors, make the spider cute or spooky, and finish several before you’ve even made much of a dent in your yarn scraps. They would be fun hanging from backpacks, Halloween treat bags, keys, or even attached to small gifts. And because they’re so quick, don’t be surprised if making “just one” turns into a whole handful of tiny spiders.

Materials Needed

• Plush yarn with a density of 120m/100g
• Crochet hook size 3.5 mm
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Half-bead eyes 6 mm and 4 mm

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• inc = increase
• dec = decrease

Pattern Notes

• Legs = sc, 2 ch, starting from 2nd chain from hook sl st, then sl st into base stitch.

Pattern Instructions

• 1. 6 sc in magic ring (6)
• 2. (inc)*6 (12)
• 3. sc, 4 legs, 2 sc, 4 legs, sc (12)
• 4-5. 12 sc (12)
• 6. (dec)*6 (6)
• Step: Stuff piece.
• Step: Pull opening closed.
• Step: Fasten off and cut yarn.
• Step: Hide yarn tail inside body.
• Step: Glue eyes.

Tips for Success

• Patience with plush yarn: Plush velvet yarn can sometimes obscure your loops, so count your stitches carefully after each round.
• Keep legs even: Pull the chain stitches for the legs snug so each leg holds a firm shape against the main body.
• Stuff gently: Use small pinches of fiberfill so the body rounds out nicely without popping open the decrease stitches in round 6.
• Glue eyes securely: Use a tiny dot of fabric glue or hot glue for the half-bead eyes, pressing them firmly into the plush yarn until dry.
• Turn into a keychain: Securely sew a metal keychain ring to the top ring of the body using strong matching thread before fastening off.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use standard worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn instead of plush yarn?Yes, standard worsted weight yarn works great, though your finished spider will end up slightly smaller than one made with plush yarn.
• How do I attach the half-bead eyes?Use a small dab of strong craft glue or fabric adhesive directly onto the back of the 6 mm and 4 mm half-beads, then press them onto the front of the head.
• Is this project suitable for beginner crocheters?Yes, this project is simple and quick, using basic stitches and minimal shaping, making it very friendly for beginners.
• How are all eight legs made in just one round?The legs are worked directly into round 3 using special leg stitches (sc, 2 ch, sl st back down, and sl st into base), so there is no sewing needed for the legs later.
• How can I attach a key ring to this spider?You can attach a split ring or lobster clasp through the top stitches of round 1 using a short loop of yarn or a jump ring.

Conclusion

Little quick-craft projects like this bring so much joy to a quiet afternoon at home. Working up tiny plush friends is relaxed, fun, and gives you a great feeling of accomplishment in almost no time at all. You can attach a ring to turn it into a cute charm for bags, backpacks, or key sets. I hope you have a lovely time making your own version using this free amigurumi pattern!