Welcome to your new favorite quick-make project! This adorable Duck Crochet Keychain is a fast, fun amigurumi pattern that transforms a tiny bit of yarn into a cheerful little accessory for your keys, backpack, or handbag. Whether you stick with a classic yellow duckling with an orange beak or experiment with playful pastels, this project is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Clocking in at about 2.5 to 3.5 inches tall, this miniature project is a fantastic way to practice essential amigurumi skills like working in continuous rounds, shaping, and neat assembly. Grab your hook, and let’s make a cute little duck!
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: 30–40 yards of lightweight or medium-weight yellow yarn (main body), small amount of orange yarn (beak/feet), and dark brown or black embroidery floss (eyes).
- Crochet Hook: 2.75 mm to 3.5 mm (choose a size that creates a tight fabric so stuffing doesn’t show).
- Notions: Polyester fiberfill, yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, and a metal keyring or lobster clasp.
Abbreviations & Pattern Notes
- MR: Magic Ring
- ch: Chain
- sc: Single Crochet
- inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec: Decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together, preferably using the invisible decrease)
- st/sts: Stitch/Stitches
- FO: Fasten Off
- R: Round
- Note: Work in continuous rounds without joining. Use a stitch marker to track the start of every round, and count your stitches carefully!
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
- Head (Yellow Yarn):
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: inc around (12)
R3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5–R8: 1 sc in each st around (24)
R9: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R10: [1 sc, dec] x 6 (12). Start stuffing the head firmly. - Body (Continues from Head):
R11: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R12: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R13–R16: 1 sc in each st around (24)
R17: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R18: [1 sc, dec] x 6 (12). Add more fiberfill to the body.
R19: dec around (6). FO, weave yarn tail through front loops of remaining 6 sts, and pull tight to close. - Wings (Make 2 – Yellow Yarn):
R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
R2: [1 sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3: 1 sc around (9). Flatten the un-stuffed piece and work sc across both layers to close. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. - Beak (Orange Yarn):
ch 5. Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in final ch. Working along the opposite side of the chain, work 1 sc in next 2 ch, 2 sc in final ch. Slip stitch to join and FO, leaving a tail for sewing.
Finishing & Helpful Tips
- Tension Matters: Keep your stitches nice and snug so the polyester stuffing doesn’t peek through the gaps. If you see holes, drop down a hook size.
- Face Placement: Embroider simple safety eyes or french knots with dark brown yarn on rounds 6-7, placing them about 3 to 4 stitches apart. Attach the orange beak right below the eyes.
- Assembly: Sew the flat wings securely to the sides of the body using your yarn tails.
- Adding the Keychain: Securely stitch a sturdy hanging loop or attach a metal keyring directly to the top center of the duck’s head, weaving all ends securely inside the body.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
Prefer visual guidance? Follow along with the complete video tutorial below: