Making your own crochet fish keychain is such a fun and satisfying project, especially with this easy-to-follow free pattern. Using just milk cotton yarn in two vibrant colors and a simple 3mm hook, you can bring a cute little fish to life in just a few steps. The finished keychain is sweet and eye-catching, making it perfect to brighten up your bag, keys, or even to share as a little handmade gift. I love the way the pink and white yarns pop together, and adding little touches like black beads for the eyes and fins really bring out the fish's personality.

Adorable Free Crochet Fish Keychain Pattern with Easy Tutorial

What makes this project extra beginner-friendly is that it mainly uses simple single crochet stitches, so it's a gentle introduction to crochet if you're just starting out. You'll also learn how to increase using single crochets, along with a few fun extras like double crochet and even the tripple crochet for the tail, which gives it a playful, delicate swirl.

These basic stitches are so useful because once you're comfortable with them, you'll be able to try other projects like amigurumi animals, coin purses, or even small ornaments. The cute little fins and tail are assembled with just a bit of glue, making it a stress-free finish.

By following this pattern, you'll practice essential skills, like starting with a magic ring, changing yarn colors smoothly, making increases, and joining pieces together. Once you master the fish, you'll see that these basics open up a world of possibilities-you could crochet other sea creatures, playful keychains, or charming bag charms using the same techniques. This project is a great stepping stone for any crochet beginner to gain confidence and be creative.

Colours, Materials, and Customization

Use any two high-contrast colors for a bright, eye-catching fish
Beads, felt, or safety eyes can be used
Add embroidery, sequins, or stripes for a personalized effect
Cotton or acrylic yarn both work well (choose a smooth yarn)

Special Techniques and Remarks

Work in continuous rounds (spiral), use a stitch marker to track rounds
For clean color changes, always finish the last stitch of a round with the new color
Fins and tail use basic circle and shell techniques, which are easily repeatable
Use a magic ring for neat amigurumi starts
Use glue or sewing for sturdy assembly (especially if giving as a gift)

Customization Ideas

Create a rainbow fish: Use a different color every 2 or 3 rows.
Add sequins or embroidery for scales.
Make a larger plushie by using chunkier yarn and a bigger hook, or a tiny fish by using finer yarn.
Add blushing cheeks with pink thread or felt.

Special Techniques & Tips

Magic circle: Ensures a neat starting point for amigurumi.
Invisible color change: Always finish the last stitch with the new color for even stripes.
Use stitch markers: Essential for keeping track when working in a spiral.
Crochet flat seam: Single-crocheting through both sides creates a smooth, durable join.
Yarn weaving: Weave tails along seams to hide them and reinforce the shape.

Crochet Fish Keychain Pattern

Materials

Milk cotton yarn in two colors (pink and white), or any two contrasting colors of your choice
3 mm crochet hook (adjust if using thicker/thinner yarn)
Flat black beads or safety eyes for eyes
Keychain ring
Yarn needle
Glue gun or craft glue (for assembling and eye attachment)
Scissors
Yarn/tail ends (can be used as stitch marker)

Finished Size

This fish is approximately 7-9 cm (about 3 inches) long depending on your yarn and tension, just right for a bag or keychain!

Who is this for? You will learn...

How to crochet in rounds (amigurumi technique)
How to switch colors cleanly
How to create basic crochet shapes: circle, oval, and flat circle (for fins)
Easy amigurumi assembly with sewing or gluing for finishing touches

Recommended for:
Beginner to intermediate crocheters, crafters who enjoy making quick & cute gifts, anyone wanting to improve their amigurumi knowledge!

The Pattern

Fish Body

Round 1:

Make a magic circle.
Chain 1. Work 6 single crochets (sc) into the ring.
Pull the tail to tighten the ring.

For beginners: Start by making a loop with your yarn (magic circle), chain once to secure, and then place 6 single crochets into that loop. Pull the end gently to close the hole.

Round 2:

Work 1 sc in the first stitch,
2 sc in the next stitch (increase).
Repeat (1 sc, 2 sc in next) around for the round. (9 stitches total).

Work one single crochet, then two in the next stitch, repeat until you finish the circle for gentle shaping. This round creates a slight oval, a "fishy" body!

Round 3:

Work 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches,
2 sc in the next stitch (increase).
Repeat (2 sc, inc) around. (12 stitches total)

Crochet one single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, two in the third. Repeat for a smooth body expansion.

Round 4:

Change to white (or contrast color) at last stitch:
- 3 sc, increase in the next stitch. Repeat (3 sc, inc) three times (total 15 stitches).

Work three single crochets, two in next. Repeat. Finish last stitch with new color (see color change tip below).

Round 5:

With white:
- 4 sc, increase.
- Repeat (4 sc, inc) three times (18 stitches total).
- Color change to pink in last stitch.

Change colors at the end by pulling through the new yarn before completing the final stitch; this yields tidy stripes.

Round 6:

With pink:
- 5 sc, increase.
- Repeat (5 sc, inc) three times (21 stitches).
- Color change to white at the end.

Round 7:

With white:
- 6 sc, increase.
- Repeat (6 sc, inc) three times (24 stitches).
- Color change to pink at the end.

Round 8:

With pink:
- 7 sc, increase.
- Repeat (7 sc, inc) three times (27 stitches).
- Cut white yarn; continue with pink only.

Round 9:

With pink only:
- 8 sc, increase.
- Repeat (8 sc, inc) three times (30 stitches).

Round 10:

9 sc, increase.
Repeat (9 sc, inc) three times (33 stitches).

*To simplify: Work each round in a spiral, placing increases as stated (after every 1, 2, 3… stitches), and always finish the final stitch before a color change with your new yarn for crisp stripes.

Finishing the Body

Slip stitch to the next stitch. Fold the fish body in half, lining up the edges.
Chain 1. Single crochet through both layers to close the body, working through matching stitches on each side. Continue across, leaving no opening.
Chain 1, cut yarn, pull end through to fasten off.
Weave in tails neatly along seam for a clean finish.

Fold body in half lengthwise, closing with single crochets through both front and back stitches ("whipstitch" with sc).

Tail Fin

With white yarn, skip 5 stitches from body seam, insert hook into 6th stitch.
Pull up a loop, chain 3 (counts as first double crochet).
Into same stitch: 1 more double crochet (2 dc in same stitch).
Next 4 stitches: 1 treble crochet (yarn over twice before inserting hook) into each.
Next stitch: 1 double crochet.
Chain 3, slip stitch into same stitch as last dc.
Chain 1, fasten off, weave in ends.

This creates a fan-shaped tail. The use of treble crochets (long, open stitches) makes it flexible and wavy!

Side Fins (Make 2)

With white yarn, make a magic circle.
Chain 3, work 4 double crochets into ring (5 dc total).
Chain 3, slip stitch into ring.
Chain 1, fasten off. Pull tail to close circle. Secure and weave in both tails.

Make two; these will be sewn or glued to the sides of your fish for cute, puffy pectoral fins!

Assembly

Attach eyes: Glue flat black beads or stitch/embroider eyes near the front stripe of your fish.
Attach fins: Using glue or needle and thread, affix one fin to each side.
Attach tail: Make sure it is centered at the back.
Attach keychain ring: Open ring, insert through top of fish, close securely.

Simple assembly - use glue or needle as you prefer for secure finishing.

What You'll Learn

Making and joining rounds for amigurumi work
Color-changing with a professional look
Flattening and seaming crochet for 2D shapes
Creating and attaching simple fins and tail
Secure embellishment and assembly for keychain use

Recommended For

Beginners seeking fun, fast amigurumi projects
Gift makers: a perfect, adorable, quick handmade present
Crocheters practicing colorwork and assembly

Fish Keychain Free Crochet Pattern Using Simple Stitches