Welcome to your new favorite beginner crochet project! If you are just starting out and looking for a quick, rewarding craft, this super cute crochet guitar keychain is the ideal make. Small projects like this allow you to practice basic stitches and simple shaping without feeling overwhelmed, and the adorable finished result makes a fantastic handmade accessory or gift.
In this guide, we will walk you through the materials, basic techniques, and step-by-step instructions needed to bring your mini guitar to life. Grab your yarn and hook, and let’s get started!
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Medium-weight (Worsted Weight / #4) yarn in your choice of guitar color, plus a small amount of contrasting yarn for the fretboard and strings.
- Crochet Hook: Size 3.5mm (E-4) or 4.0mm (G-6), depending on your yarn weight, to keep stitches nice and tight.
- Stuffing: A small handful of polyester fiberfill for light volume.
- Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends and a keyring attachment.
- Tools: Stitch marker and a pair of scissors.
Abbreviations & Pattern Notes
- ch: Chain
- st(s): Stitch(es)
- sc: Single crochet
- inc: Single crochet increase (work 2 sc in the same st)
- dec: Single crochet decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
- sl st: Slip stitch
- Notes: The guitar body is worked in continuous rounds without joining. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch in each round.
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
- Make the Body Base: Using your main guitar color, start with a magic ring (or ch 2 and work into the second ch from the hook). Work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
- Expand the Body: Work [inc] in each st around. (12 sts)
- Shape the Lower Bout: Work [sc in next st, inc in next st] around. (18 sts)
- Straight Section: Work 1 sc in each st around for 3 rounds. (18 sts per round)
- Decrease for Waist: Work [sc in next st, dec] around. (12 sts)
- Upper Body: Work [inc] in each st around to widen slightly for the upper guitar body, then work 1 round even (sc in each st). (24 sts total across shaping) Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill before closing too much.
- The Neck & Headstock: Switch to your contrasting fretboard color. Work 1 sc in each st for 6 straight rounds to form the long guitar neck. (6 sts per round) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
- Assembly & Details: Use your yarn needle to embroider simple frets and strings along the neck using a lighter yarn color. Secure the top of the neck to the keyring attachment securely.
Finishing & Helpful Tips
- Maintain Even Tension: Keep your stitches relatively snug so the polyester stuffing doesn’t peek through the gaps.
- Embroider Before Stuffing Fully: If you prefer to add embroidered details like soundholes or fret lines, it’s often easiest to do so before closing up the guitar body completely.
- Secure the Keyring: Make sure you double-knot your yarn tail when attaching the metal keyring to ensure it holds up to daily use.
- Customize Colors: Have fun experimenting with acoustic wood tones, bright electric pinks, or classic sunburst color palettes!
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
Prefer visual guidance? Follow along with the complete video tutorial below: