Easy Free Crochet Cat & Fish Keychain Pattern for Beginners
Enjoy making adorable cat & fish keychain with this Crochet Pattern that’s featuring easy instructions for beginners and beyond.
Looking for a quick and adorable crochet project that’s sure to bring a smile? The Free Crochet Cat & Fish Keychain Pattern is just what you need! This charming little set is perfect for anyone who loves cute accessories that are as fun to make as they are to use. Plus, with just a few simple tweaks in yarn color or size, you can create all sorts of playful keychains and charms to personalize your bags, keys, or gifts.
Handmade Crochet cat & fish keychain Pattern
These crochet keychains are bursting with personality. The cat features a sweet, round shape with tiny ears and a friendly face, while the fish adds a touch of whimsy with its detailed scales and lively design. The texture is soft but sturdy thanks to tight stitches, giving each piece a plush yet durable feel. Their compact size and adorable style make them perfect for brightening up everyday items or adding a handmade touch to your favorite accessories.
Designed with beginners in mind, this pattern primarily uses the single crochet stitch worked in the round. It’s a fantastic way to practice basic amigurumi skills and create delightful shapes without feeling overwhelmed.
Whether you’re looking for a cute gift, a unique little collectible, or a personal accessory, these cat and fish keychains are sure to please. If you enjoy fast, fun crochet projects that add charm and personality to your everyday life, this pattern is a perfect fit. Step in and start crocheting your own lovable companions today.
Crochet Cat and Fish Keychain Pattern
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is made in separate pieces: a small amigurumi fish and a flat cat face, which is made twice and joined.
- Both motifs are crocheted in continuous rounds or rows; use a stitch marker for tracking.
- Same yarn (cotton, 2mm thickness) is used for both pieces, with a 2.5 mm hook.
- Assembly can be done either by sewing or with strong fabric glue/hot glue.
- Black thread/yarn is used to embroider the cat’s face details. You may choose to glue or sew on small safety eyes if preferred.
- Finished motifs can be attached to a keyring or made into a bag charm; length of hanging string is adjustable.
- Stuffing is minimal and only necessary for the fish’s main body.
- When joining the two cat face pieces, ensure features are aligned.
- Pattern uses US crochet terminology.
Skill Level
Beginner
All basic stitches, simple increases and decreases, beginner embroidery, and straightforward assembly.
Materials
- 5-strand cotton yarn, ~2mm thick, or similar DK yarn (color of your choice)
- 2.5 mm crochet hook
- Black embroidery thread or sewing thread (for face details)
- Embroidery needle/yarn needle
- Optional: stitch marker
- Scissors
- Small amount of fiber stuffing (for fish body)
- Keyring or small lobster clasp
- Fabric glue/hot glue (optional; can be replaced by sewing)
Measurements / Sizing
- Fish: approx. 3–4 cm long, 1.5 cm tall (not including tail)
- Cat face: approx. 4–5 cm wide, 3.5–4 cm tall
- When assembled as a keychain, total drop length 7–8 cm (adjustable by string/chain)
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this pattern, but stitches should be firm and dense.
Stitch Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec = decrease (single crochet two together)
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- st = stitch
- st(s) = stitches
Special Stitches
Invisible Decrease (sc2tog):
Insert hook into front loop of each of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
The Crochet Pattern
This adorable crochet pattern guides you step-by-step to create a sweet cat face and a tiny fish, designed to be assembled into a playful double-charm keychain. Both motifs are small, quick, and perfect for beginner or experienced crocheters who want a fast and customizable project.
Fish
Body – Work in continuous rounds:
- Magic Circle:
Make a magic ring. - Rnd 1:
6 sc in ring. (6 sts) - Rnd 2:
[1 sc in next st, inc in next st] x3 (i.e., sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc) (9 sts)
- Rnd 3:
[sc in next st, inc in next st, sc in next st] x3 (sc, inc, sc) three times (12 sts) - Rnd 4:
[sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st] x3 (total 15 sts) - Rnd 5-8:
1 sc in each st (15 sts per round, 4 rounds).
Use a stitch marker to keep track. - Rnd 9:
[sc in next 3 sts, dec in next st] x3 (12 sts) - Rnd 10:
[sc in next st, dec in next st, sc in next st] x3 (9 sts) - Rnd 11:
dec around (six decreases, ending with 6 sts)- Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing if needed.
- Stuff lightly.
Tail (worked flat on last 6 sts):
- Sl st into the first st of last row.
- Ch 1, turn work.
- For tail foundation:
Going through one side to the other (across remaining 6 sts),
sc through 1st pair, sc through 2nd pair, sc through 3rd pair (i.e., across the closure, 3 sc made). - Ch 3, turn.
Tail Fanning (Each of the 3 tail base sts):
- In first st: 2 dc.
- Ch 1.
- In second st: hdc, 2 dc, hdc (all in the same st).
- Ch 1.
- In third st: 2 dc.
- Ch 3.
- Sl st into same (third) st to finish.
- Fasten off.
- Weave/tuck loose ends.
Cat Face (Make 2 identical pieces)
Each side, worked in rows:
- Foundation:
Ch 6. - Row 1:
Starting in 2nd ch from hook:
Sc in next 4 ch, 3 sc in last ch.
Rotate work—Now work in bottom loops:
Sc in next 3 ch, 2 sc in first ch (the same stitch where you began) (12 sts).
Place marker in first st.
- Row 2:
Ch 1, turn.
Inc in first st (2 sc in same st, mark 1st).
Sc in next 3 sts.
Inc in each of next 3 sts (6 total).
Sc in next 3 sts.
Inc in last 2 sts. (18 sts) - Row 3 (Shaping & Ears):
Ch 1, turn.- Sl st in first st.
- Sc in next st.
- Hdc in next st.
- Sc in next st.
- 3 sl st in next sts for first ear base.
- [Repeat from sc, hdc, sc, 3 sl st] for other ear.
- (Refer to video: 1 sc, 1 hdc in same st, sc, then 3 sl st across top for each ear)
- Continue working sc around rest of piece.
- Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing or gluing.
Finish of Face Pieces:
- Weave in/on tails as needed.
Embroidery for Cat Face
- Using black embroidery thread/yarn and a needle:
- Sew on eyes (round or oval), nose (small triangle or oval), mouth (V or U shape), and optional whiskers.
- Place features on one face piece before joining.
Assembly & Finished Size
- Place cat face pieces wrong sides together (embroidered piece on top).
- Sew or glue together around the edges (back loops only for less seam bulk if sewing), leaving a small gap if you wish to lightly stuff, or leave flat for a truly 2D look.
- Secure all loose ends.
- Sew or glue fish to cat face or attach with a jump ring.
- Add keyring/clasp to top of cat face (or string loop with chain if keyring unavailable).
- Optionally, attach the fish as a hanging charm on a separate string from the cat.
Finished Sizes:
- Fish approx. 3–4 cm.
- Cat face approx. 4–5 cm.
- Whole keychain with loops: 7–8 cm (adjustable).
The finished keychain makes a great gift or accessory, utilizing simple amigurumi techniques, basic shaping, and easy assembly with a little sewing or glue.
Quick Pattern Overview for Beginners
- Fish: Crochet in the round; increase, sc even for four rounds, decrease, then work a pretty flat tail directly on the body.
- Cat Face: Chain 6, sc around, increase at ends, work ears during third row; make two pieces, embroider face on one, join both.
- Assembly: Sew or glue faces together, attach fish, add keychain or string.
- Finish: Weave in all ends, enjoy your crafty keychain!
Tips for Success
- Mark your first stitches to help keep track.
- Adjust stuffing if needed—fish should be lightly, cat face flat or slightly puffy.
- Use fabric glue or sew securely for durability.
- Experiment with embroidery for different cat expressions!
- With hot glue, work carefully and use sparingly.
