by Ready to spread some cheer wherever you go? A crochet smiley keychain is a fantastic quick project that’s super cute and fun to make! It’s also a great way to use up those small bits of yellow and black yarn you might have lying around.
Given your location in Phnom Penh, where it can be warm, 100% cotton yarn or a cotton blend would be ideal for this keychain. Cotton holds its shape well, is durable, and is easy to clean.
How to Crochet a Smiley Keychain
This tutorial will guide you through creating a simple, cheerful smiley face that’s perfect for a keychain.
1. Essential Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn:
- Main Color (Yellow): About 10-15 yards (9-14 meters) of 100% Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn.
- Accent Color (Black): Very small amount of 100% Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn for the eyes and mouth.
- Crochet Hook: A 3.5mm (US E/4) or 4.0mm (US G/6) hook. A slightly smaller hook will create a denser fabric, which is good for a keychain that will get daily use.
- Scissors: For cutting yarn.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Crucial for weaving in ends and embroidering the facial features.
- Stuffing: A small amount of polyester fiberfill or yarn scraps for stuffing the smiley face.
- Keychain Hardware: A split ring or a lobster clasp. You can usually find these at craft stores or online.
- Optional: Stitch marker (helpful for marking the beginning of rounds).
2. Basic Crochet Stitches You’ll Use
This project primarily uses simple stitches:
- Chain (ch): To begin your work.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds.
- Single Crochet (sc): The main stitch, creating a tight and sturdy fabric.
- Magic Ring (MR): (Also known as Magic Circle). This is the best way to start the center of your smiley for a tight, hole-free beginning. An alternative chain method is also provided.
Part 1: Crocheting the Smiley Face (Make 2)
You’ll make two identical yellow circles that will be joined together and stuffed to create the 3D smiley.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- MR: magic ring
- inc: increase (work 2 sc in same stitch)
- st(s): stitch(es)
Instructions (Using your yellow yarn):
- Start (Choose ONE method):
- Method A: Magic Ring (Recommended for a tighter center)
- Create a Magic Ring (MR).
- Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch).
- Work 6 sc into the Magic Ring.
- Gently pull the yarn tail to close the center hole tightly.
- Join with a sl st to the top of the first sc you made. (6 sc)
- Method B: Chain Method (Easier for Beginners)
- Ch 2.
- Work 6 sc into the second chain from your hook (the very first chain you made).
- Join with a sl st to the top of the first sc you made. (6 sc)
- Method A: Magic Ring (Recommended for a tighter center)
- Round 1:
- Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- Work 2 sc in each st around.
- Join with a sl st to the top of the first sc. (12 sc)
- Round 2:
- Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- *1 sc in the next st, 2 sc in the following st (inc)*. Repeat from * to * around.
- Join with a sl st to the top of the first sc. (18 sc)
- Round 3:
- Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- *1 sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the following st (inc)*. Repeat from * to * around.
- Join with a sl st to the top of the first sc. (24 sc)
- Fasten off the first circle, leaving a tail of about 6 inches (15 cm). Weave in the starting tail from the Magic Ring.
- Repeat steps 1-5 to make a second identical yellow circle. Do not fasten off the second circle; leave it on your hook.
Part 2: Embroidering the Face
Now, let’s give your smiley some personality! It’s easier to do this before stuffing and joining.
- Facial Features: Using your black yarn and yarn needle, embroider the eyes and mouth onto one side of one of your yellow circles.
- Eyes: Create two small vertical or horizontal lines, or small “X” shapes, about 2-3 stitches apart, 2-3 rows down from the top edge of the circle.
- Mouth: Create an upward curving line. You can use a backstitch or a running stitch for this. Start below the eyes, curve it up, and then back down.
- Practice with a few stitches until you like the look. You can look up “crochet embroidery smiley face” for visual examples.
- Secure Threads: On the back of the embroidered circle, tie off the black yarn ends securely (but not so tightly that it puckers the front). Weave in any remaining black yarn tails neatly.
Part 3: Joining, Stuffing, and Finishing
Now we’ll bring the two circles together to form the 3D smiley, stuff it, and add the keychain loop.
- Join the Two Circles:
- Take the embroidered yellow circle and the second yellow circle (still on your hook).
- Place the two circles with their wrong sides facing each other (so the embroidered face is on the outside, and the plain side is also on the outside).
- Line up the stitches of both circles.
- Working through both loops of both circles, sc evenly around the edges.
- Work about 18-20 sc stitches around, leaving a small opening (about 4-6 stitches wide).
- Stuffing:
- Through the small opening you left, gently push in your polyester fiberfill or yarn scraps.
- Stuff the smiley until it’s plump and firm, but not so much that the stitches stretch open.
- Close the Opening:
- Continue working sc stitches through both loops of both circles to close the remaining opening.
- When you reach the last stitch, join with a sl st to the first sc of this joining round.
- Create the Keychain Loop:
- Ch 15-20 (adjust this chain length for your desired loop size; hold it up to your keychain hardware to test).
- Sl st into the same stitch where you started the chain (or a very secure stitch directly adjacent). This forms the loop.
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 6-8 inches / 15-20 cm).
- Reinforce the Loop: Using your yarn needle, weave the long tail securely around the base of the chain loop and into the top of the smiley. Stitch several times to ensure the loop is very strong and won’t pull out with daily use. This is crucial for a keychain!
- Final Weaving: Weave in any remaining yarn tails into the body of the smiley. Trim any excess yarn very close to the fabric.
Part 4: Attaching the Keychain Hardware
- Simply slide your split ring or lobster clasp onto the crocheted loop you just created. Ensure it’s fully on the loop and secure.
Tips for a Durable and Lovely Keychain
- Tight Tension: For any amigurumi (stuffed crochet) and especially for a keychain that will get daily handling, maintaining a firm, tight tension is critical. This prevents stuffing from showing through and helps the item hold its shape.
- Securely Weave Ends: Take extra time to weave in all your yarn tails thoroughly. Loose ends will quickly unravel, and for a keychain, this is a common point of failure.
- Reinforce the Loop: Don’t skip the step of reinforcing the keychain loop. A few extra stitches here will make a big difference in how long your keychain lasts.
- Customization: You can easily adjust the size of your smiley by adding or subtracting rounds (always increasing stitches consistently to keep it flat). You could also give it different expressions!
You’ve now created a wonderfully cheerful and personalized crochet smiley keychain! It’s a perfect small gift or a delightful addition to your own set of keys.
