Easy Mushroom Keychain: Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
These tiny woodland mushrooms sit comfortably in your palm and bring a bit of nature to your daily routine. The dense, round cap has a soft squish that makes it satisfying to hold, while the firm stem provides structural support for constant handling on a set of keys. This project suits anyone wanting a quick success, whether you are a beginner learning to control your tension or a gift maker looking for a thoughtful handmade present. You will gain confidence in working in continuous spirals, which removes the visible seam often found in more complex amigurumi designs.
Why This Project Is Worth Making
The amigurumi mushroom keychain is a functional, small-scale project that fits perfectly into a single afternoon. Because it requires very little yarn, it is an ideal way to use up cotton scraps left over from larger projects. The construction relies on simple increasing and decreasing, which provides a steady rhythm that makes for a relaxing, repetitive crochet session. Once finished, the sturdy nature of the cotton fiber ensures the mushroom maintains its shape even when tossed into a bag or attached to a set of keys.
I managed to whip up three of these in a single evening while watching a show. The pattern is clear and the mushroom turned out exactly like the photos.
— Sarah, amigurumi hobbyist
Pattern Overview & Skill Level
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Approximate Time: 45 to 60 minutes per mushroom
- Construction: Continuous rounds using a magic ring and basic increases and decreases
- Finished Dimensions: Approximately 2.5 inches tall by 2 inches wide
Materials & Supplies Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn. You will need approximately 15 yards of red for the cap and 10 yards of white for the stem.
- Hook Size: 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook to ensure tight, gap-free stitches.
- Notions: Polyester fiberfill for stuffing, a 4mm tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a stitch marker to track the start of rounds, and a standard metal keyring.
- Safe Yarn Substitutions: Acrylic worsted weight yarn can be substituted for cotton, though it will produce a slightly softer, fuzzier mushroom that may lose its structural shape faster than cotton.
Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR: Magic ring
- ch: Chain
- sc: Single crochet
- inc: Increase (work 2 sc into the same stitch)
- dec: Decrease (single crochet two stitches together using the invisible decrease method)
- sl st: Slip stitch
- st(s): Stitch(es)
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
Mushroom Cap
Using red yarn, work in continuous rounds. Place a stitch marker at the start of every round.
- Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR (6 sts).
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).
- Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] repeat 6 times (18 sts).
- Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] repeat 6 times (24 sts).
- Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] repeat 6 times (30 sts).
- Rnd 6-9: Sc in each st around (30 sts).
- Rnd 10: [3 sc, dec] repeat 6 times (24 sts).
- Rnd 11: [2 sc, dec] repeat 6 times (18 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Mushroom Stem
Using white yarn, work in continuous rounds.
- Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR (6 sts).
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).
- Rnd 3: In BLO, sc in each st around (12 sts).
- Rnd 4-6: Sc in each st around (12 sts).
- Rnd 7: [2 sc, dec] repeat 3 times (9 sts). Fasten off.
Assembly
Stuff the stem lightly with fiberfill. Use the tail from the cap to sew the stem to the center of the cap opening. Before closing completely, add a small amount of stuffing to the cap if you prefer a firmer shape. Secure the keyring through the top of the cap by pulling a strand of yarn through a stitch and knotting it securely, or by sewing a small fabric loop into the top of the mushroom cap.
Care & Washing Instructions
- Hand wash the keychain in cool water with a small amount of mild detergent to avoid damaging the fiberfill.
- Gently squeeze out excess water and reshape the mushroom while damp.
- Lay flat to air dry on a clean towel away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Maintain consistent tension throughout the project to ensure the stuffing does not show through the gaps between stitches.
- Always move your stitch marker at the end of every round to avoid losing your place in the increase or decrease sequence.
- Weave in your yarn tails by running the needle through the inside of the mushroom stitches multiple times to lock the end firmly in place.
- If you wish to make a larger mushroom, you can increase the round count before beginning the decreases, though remember this will require significantly more stuffing and yarn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a larger hook for this pattern?
Using a larger hook will result in a larger mushroom with visible gaps between your stitches. If you increase the hook size, you will likely need to use a thicker yarn to keep the structure dense enough to hold the stuffing.
How do I keep my stitches tight?
The best way to prevent gaps is to pull your working yarn slightly after pulling up each loop in a single crochet stitch. Using a hook size smaller than what is recommended on your yarn label also helps.
Can I sell the finished items?
You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern as long as you provide credit to the designer in your product listings. Please do not redistribute or sell the written pattern itself.
Is this suitable for a total beginner?
Yes, this project only uses basic stitches and the magic ring technique. If the magic ring feels difficult, you can start by chaining two and working your first round of stitches into the second chain from the hook.
Your finished mushroom keychain brings a cheerful, handmade touch to any set of keys or bag zipper. For a unique look, try using a variegated cotton yarn on the cap to create a speckled, natural appearance that mimics real fungi found in the forest. Please upload a photo of your creation to social media so others can see how yours turned out. You can also explore our blog for more beginner-friendly patterns and seasonal crochet projects that take less than an hour to finish.
