This pattern makes a small stuffed five-point star keychain with a rainbow stripe and a crocheted hanging loop. It uses only single crochet, increases, and decreases, so a confident beginner can finish it in about an hour.
Rainbow Star Keychain
Free crochet pattern · US terms
- Yarn
- 4 – Medium (worsted) — suggested
- Hook
- 3.5 mm (E-4) — verify with a swatch
- Gauge
- 16 sc x 18 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet worked in continuous rounds, unblocked (calculated, not measured)
- Size
- approx. about 2.5 in (6.5 cm) across the widest points, not including the loop
- Level
- Confident beginner
- Time
- about 1 h 10 min (estimate)
Written and count-checked on paper, not yet physically tested. Make the gauge swatch and the checkpoint below before you commit all your yarn.
The keychain is a flat star worked in continuous single crochet rounds from the center out, with increases at each point and decreases between points. It is made twice, then the two stars are joined with single crochet around the edge while a small amount of fiberfill goes inside. A crocheted chain loop and a split ring finish it.
Two colors are enough, but the stripe section is a natural place to use up short scraps. The finished star is about 2.5 in (6.5 cm) across, small enough for a key ring, a zipper pull, or a bag charm.
Before You Start
Materials
Suggested materials. Any yarn of the same weight works if you match the gauge.
1 ball medium weight (worsted) cotton yarn in color A, about 10 yd (9 m)
Cotton holds the star shape and resists pilling on a key ring. Smooth acrylic works as a substitute but may stretch slightly.
1 ball medium weight (worsted) cotton yarn in color B, about 8 yd (7 m)
The contrast color forms the middle stripe and the hanging loop. Any scrap of the same weight is fine.
3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
A slightly small hook for the yarn weight gives a firm fabric that holds stuffing without gaps. Go up to 4.0 mm (G-6) if your stitches feel tight.
Small amount of polyester fiberfill, about a walnut-sized piece
Use very little so the star stays flat. Cotton scraps or yarn ends can be substituted if you want an all-yarn keychain.
1 split ring or key ring, about 1 in (2.5 cm)
A split ring lets the loop slide on without opening the crochet. A small swivel clasp also works.
Tapestry needle and scissors
The needle closes the small gap at the edge join and weaves in ends securely. A blunt tip is best so it does not split the stitches.
Yarn needed (estimate): about 15 to 20 yd (14 to 18 m) total, estimated, in two colors
Gauge and Size
Gauge: 16 sc x 18 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet worked in continuous rounds, unblocked. This gauge is calculated from the yarn and hook above, not measured on a finished sample. Make a 4 in (10 cm) swatch first; change the hook size, not your tension, until it matches.
Finished size (approximate): about 2.5 in (6.5 cm) across the widest points, not including the loop. Your size depends on your gauge.
Abbreviations (US terms)
| Abbr. | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| st | stitch |
| sts | stitches |
| inc | increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch |
| sc2tog | single crochet 2 stitches together (one decrease) |
| rep | repeat |
| FO | fasten off |
Special Stitches
Increase (inc)
Work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch. This adds one stitch to the round.
Single crochet 2 together (sc2tog)
Insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop. Insert the hook into the following stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. Two stitches become one.
How This Pattern Is Written
- US terms throughout. The star is worked in continuous rounds: do not join at the end of a round and do not turn. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round.
- Each round begins in the first stitch of the previous round; there are no joined rounds, so no turning chain is used.
- Right side faces out. The starting tail sits on the wrong side; keep it there.
- Make two identical star shapes, then join them with single crochet around the edge, working through both layers. Each star ends with 5 stitches, so the joined edge has 10 stitches before tip increases.
- The count in brackets at the end of each round is the number of stitches you should have when the round is finished.
- The loop is worked last, directly onto the joined edge, so it cannot pull loose from a single stitch.
The Pattern
Star shape (make 2)
Joining and loop
Finishing and Assembly
Sizes and Variations
Two-color star
skip the stripe and work all rounds in color A, then join the edge in color B for contrast. Counts stay the same.
Mini star
use size 2 (fine) cotton and a 2.5 mm hook, and stop after Round 8. The finished star is about 1.5 in (4 cm) across.
Hanging ornament
replace the ch-12 loop with a ch-20 loop and add a small bead before the split ring.
Scrap stripe
change color every round from Round 4 to Round 6. Carry the unused color loosely up the wrong side.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The star cups into a bowl shape | Stitches are too tight or the increases are crowded into the same spot | Try a hook one size larger and spread the increases evenly around the round. Check the Round 3 checkpoint before continuing. |
| The edge ripples and will not lie flat | Too many stitches or loose tension | Frog back to Round 3 and work more firmly, or drop to a 3.0 mm hook for the star shape only. |
| Stuffing shows through the fabric | The hook is too large for the yarn or the stuffing is packed too thickly | Use less fiberfill and pull the joining edge slightly tighter. A smaller hook for the star shape also closes the gaps. |
| The points look rounded instead of sharp | The decrease rounds were worked too loosely | Work the sc2tog stitches firmly and shape each point with your fingers while the fabric is still damp from blocking. |
| The loop stretches out of shape | The chain loop was attached to a single stitch | Anchor the loop base with a sl st through two stitches at the point tip, then work the chain from there. |
Care
Hand wash in cool water with a little mild soap, squeeze gently without wringing, and reshape the points while damp. Dry flat away from direct heat. Do not tumble dry.
Questions Makers Ask
How much yarn does one star keychain use?
About 15 to 20 yd (14 to 18 m) total across both colors, estimated. One 50 g ball of medium weight cotton makes several keychains, so it is a good scrap project.
Can I make this without a magic ring?
Yes. Chain 2 and work 6 sc into the first chain instead. The center hole will be slightly larger, so pull the starting tail snug before Round 2.
Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton?
Yes, any medium weight yarn works. Acrylic is softer and may stretch a little on a key ring, so work the joining edge firmly and keep the stuffing light.
How do I attach it to a bag instead of keys?
Slide a small swivel clasp or a short length of cord through the chain loop. That keeps the crochet loop from rubbing against a metal ring.
Next: Try a flat crochet flower keychain next, which practices the same continuous rounds with petal-shaped increases.