Tiny Crochet Strawberry Keychain Pattern That Packs Big Style

Tip

Customize the Size: If you want a smaller or larger keychain, adjust the size by changing the number of increase rounds. For example, stop increasing after R7 to make a smaller strawberry, or continue to R10 for a larger, more pronounced fruit shape.

Uses

• Keychain: Use the finished item as a decorative keychain for bags, purses, or keys.

• Gift or Sale Item: Produce the keychains quickly for gifting or selling at craft markets.

• Beginner Project: Practice essential amigurumi techniques like the magic ring, increases, and invisible decreases.

Materials

• Yarn (Strawberry): Use red or pink acrylic/cotton yarn, approximately 2 mm thick.

• Yarn (Leaves): Use green yarn for the calyx (leaf) part.

• Yarn (Flower): Use yellow yarn for the flower center and any color for the petals.

• Crochet Hook: A 2.5 mm hook is recommended.

• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, stitch marker, tapestry needle, sharp scissors.

• Hardware: Keychain ring and small jump rings/split rings for attachment.

• Optional: White yarn for embroidery of strawberry seeds.

Special Features

• Quick Amigurumi: This project uses a straightforward pattern that builds a strawberry shape quickly using increases followed by decreases, making it fast to finish.

• Invisible Decrease: The pattern uses the invisible decrease technique (by working only into the front loops) to maintain a smooth texture and clean shape for the strawberry.

• Accessory Charm: The inclusion of a small crocheted flower provides an extra decorative element, enhancing the keychain's appeal.

Level of Difficulty

This project is rated as Easy. It requires knowledge of the Magic Ring, Single Crochet (SC), increases, decreases, and basic flower construction (Half Double Crochet and Double Crochet).

Tutor's Suggestions

• Yarn Weight: Use yarn that is approximately 2 mm thick (Mil Cotton or acrylic yarn) to achieve the specified size for the keychain.

• Stuffing: Ensure you stuff the strawberry firmly as you reach the reduction rounds to help the piece maintain its shape and firmness.

• Attachment Security: Although you can glue the leaf cap to the strawberry, the tutor suggests sewing it with small stitches to the top to ensure a more secure bond, especially since it holds the keychain ring.

Step-by-Step Details

1. Crochet the Strawberry Body

Work in a continuous spiral in your chosen color (e.g., pink or red).

1. Start with a Magic Ring and place 6 Single Crochet (SC) stitches inside.

2. Increase Rounds (R2-R9): Work a series of increase rounds to shape the bottom of the strawberry, following these sequences:

   • R2: (1 SC, inc) for a total of 9 stitches.

   • R3: (2 SC, inc) for a total of 12 stitches.

   • R4: (3 SC, inc) for a total of 15 stitches.

   • R5: (4 SC, inc) for a total of 18 stitches.

   • R6: (5 SC, inc) for a total of 21 stitches.

   • R7: (6 SC, inc) for a total of 24 stitches.

   • R8: (7 SC, inc) for a total of 27 stitches.

   • R9: (8 SC, inc) for a total of 30 stitches.

3. Straight Rounds (R10-R12): Work three straight rounds of 30 SC each.

4. Decrease Rounds (R13-R17): Begin working invisible decreases to shape the top of the strawberry. Start stuffing the piece firmly as you proceed:

   • R13: (4 SC, dec) for a total of 25 stitches.

   • R14: (3 SC, dec) for a total of 20 stitches.

   • R15: (2 SC, dec) for a total of 15 stitches.

   • R16: (1 SC, dec) for a total of 10 stitches.

   • R17: Work 5 decreases for a total of 5 stitches.

5. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail. Use a tapestry needle to weave the tail through the remaining front loops, pull to cinch the hole closed, and weave the tail inside the strawberry to hide the end.

2. Crochet the Leaf Cap (Calyx)

Work in green yarn.

1. Start with a Magic Ring and place 7 SC stitches inside.

2. Work 7 increases (inc) around (R2) for a total of 14 stitches.

3. Leaf Points: Slip stitch into the next stitch. Chain 4.

4. Starting in the third chain from the hook, work: 1 SC, then 2 Half Double Crochet (HDC) in the next two chains. This forms one leaf point.

5. Skip the next stitch on the base ring and slip stitch into the following stitch.

6. Repeat the sequence of Chain 4, work 1 SC and 2 HDC, skip 1 stitch, and slip stitch until you have crocheted 7 leaf points around the base.

7. Slip stitch to finish, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.

3. Crochet the Flower

1. Flower Center (Yellow Yarn): Start with a Magic Ring and place 6 SC stitches inside. Close with a slip stitch, chain 1, and cut the yarn.

2. Petals (Petal Color Yarn): Attach the petal color yarn with a slip knot into one of the 6 center stitches.

3. Work Petals: For each of the 6 center stitches, work the petal sequence: Chain 2, work 3 Double Crochet (DC), Chain 2, and slip stitch into the same stitch.

4. Repeat this sequence in the remaining 5 center stitches.

5. Close with a slip stitch, chain 1, and cut the yarn, leaving a short tail to hide.

4. Assembly and Finishing

1. Embroider Seeds: Using a tapestry needle and white yarn, embroider small straight stitches (or French knots) onto the surface of the strawberry body to mimic seeds.

2. Attach Leaf Cap: Use the long tail from the leaf cap to sew the leaf cap securely to the top center of the finished strawberry.

3. Attach Keychain: Securely thread a jump ring or split ring through the center of the leaf cap and attach the main keychain ring.

4. Attach Flower Charm: Use a separate small jump ring to attach the crocheted flower to the main keychain ring or to the strawberry itself.

Conclusion

You have successfully crafted a delightful and portable Strawberry Keychain! This project demonstrates how simple shapes and decorative elements can combine to create a charming, finished accessory.