Ever wondered how a handful of leftover yarn could become the cutest bag charm you own? This crochet elephant keychain works up flat in one piece, with a curled trunk, tiny eyes and a little ear that give it so much personality. Crocheting small projects like this is relaxing and lets your creativity shine. Below, you will find every step to make yours.
Do you have leftover yarn and no idea what to make with it? This crochet elephant keychain is a lovely answer. It is worked flat in one piece, so the legs, tail, head and curled trunk all grow from the same shape. A separate ear and a tiny eye add charm, and a keyring turns it into a useful bag charm. Pick blue, teal or lilac yarn, and gift it as a souvenir or Valentine’s present. Follow the steps below.
Crochet Elephant Keychain Overview
- Construction: First, one flat body with the legs, tail, head and trunk built in. Next, a separate ear, an eye, and a back piece that is sewn behind the body.
- Stitches: Also, chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, increases and slip stitch.
- Colors: Blue, teal or lilac in the photos, although any color works.
- Finished size: About 7 to 8 cm long and 5 cm tall, depending on your yarn and hook.
Materials for the Crochet Elephant Keychain
- Yarn: Yarn in a color of your choice, such as blue, teal or lilac.
- Crochet hook: A hook that suits your yarn. Choose one that gives a firm fabric.
- Eye: A small piece of white felt and a half pearl bead. Googly eyes also work.
- Hardware: A keychain ring and a small chain.
- Tools: Craft glue, pliers, a tapestry needle and scissors.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR – magic ring
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – two stitches in the same stitch
- sl st – slip stitch
How to Make the Crochet Elephant Keychain Step by Step
The numbers in the lists below are steps, not rounds.
Step 1: Round 1 of the Crochet Elephant Keychain Body
- First, make an MR.
- Next, chain 2. This counts as your first dc.
- Then work 12 dc into the ring, counting the chain 2. (12)
- After that, pull the tail to close the ring.
- Finally, join with a sl st into the first dc.
Step 2: Round 2 of the Crochet Elephant Keychain Body
- First, chain 2 and work 1 dc in the same stitch.
- Next, work 2 dc in each stitch around. (24)
- Finally, join with a sl st into the first dc.
In my replay, 12 stitches with 2 dc in each give 24, so this round closes.
Step 3: Round 3, Legs and Tail
- First, chain 3 and work 3 dc in the first stitch.
- Next, chain 2. In the next stitch, work a sl st.
- Then work 3 more sl st, one in each stitch. You now have 4 sl st.
- After that, for the second leg, chain 2 and work 3 dc in the same space.
- Next, chain 2. In the next stitch, work a sl st.
- Finally, work 4 more sl st, one in each stitch.
Note: The video calls these last four stitches “single crochets”, but the motion matches slip stitches. Use slip stitches to keep the belly flat.
Make the Tail
- First, chain 2. Skip 1 chain and work a sl st in the next chain.
- Next, work a sl st in the same base stitch.
- Then work 6 sl st, one in each stitch of the base.
Make the Head
- First, in the next stitch, work 1 sc.
- Next, in the next stitch, work 1 hdc.
- Then, in the next stitch, work 2 dc.
- After that, in the next stitch, work 2 dc.
- Finally, in the next stitch, work 2 hdc.
Make the Curled Trunk
- First, chain 7. Skip 1 chain, and work a sl st in the next chain.
- Next, work 2 more sl st, so you have 3 in total.
- Then, in the next chain, work 1 sc.
- After that, in the next chain, work 2 sc.
- Next, in the last chain, work 2 sc.
- Then work 3 sl st along the base, one in each stitch.
- Finally, cut the yarn and fasten off behind the piece.
Note: The trunk steps are quick in the audio. If your trunk looks too stiff or too floppy, adjust the number of slip stitches by one.
In my replay, the trunk chain closes: 1 skipped chain + 3 sl st + 1 sc + 1 chain with 2 sc + 1 chain with 2 sc uses all 7 chains.
Step 4: Make the Ear
- First, make an MR.
- Next, chain 3. This counts as your first dc.
- Then work 8 dc into the ring.
- After that, chain 3 and work a sl st into the ring.
- Finally, cut the yarn and close the ring.
Step 5: Make the Eye
- First, cut a small circle of white felt.
- Next, glue a half pearl bead in the middle.
- Then glue the eye to the head.
Step 6: Make the Back Piece
- First, repeat rounds 1 and 2 of the body.
- Next, work a finishing row of sl st around the edge.
- Then leave a long tail of yarn to join the pieces.
Step 7: Put the Crochet Elephant Keychain Together
- First, place the back piece behind the body.
- Next, sew the pieces together with the long tail, using small, even stitches around the edge.
- Then sew the ear onto the head.
- Finally, attach the ring to the top, using pliers to close it. You can also sew it on with yarn.
Crochet Elephant Keychain Video Tutorial
Use the video to check the legs, tail and trunk as you follow the steps above.
Safety Note for the Crochet Elephant Keychain
A bead eye and metal rings are small parts, so keep this keychain away from babies and toddlers. Also, glue the eye firmly and close the ring tightly.
Bonus Section: Elephant Color Ideas for Your Crochet Elephant Keychain
Make a whole herd in different colors. For example, try soft gray with a pink ear, sky blue with a white ear, or teal with a gold ring. Also, a lilac elephant looks sweet on a child’s backpack, and a gray one makes a calm gift.
Tips for the Crochet Elephant Keychain
- Use slip stitches on the belly: They keep the belly flat, even though the video calls them single crochets.
- Choose a firm hook: A hook that gives a firm fabric helps the flat shape keep its outline.
- Adjust the trunk by one stitch: Add or remove a slip stitch if the trunk looks too stiff or too floppy.
- Sew with small stitches: Use small, even stitches around the edge to join the back piece.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Crochet Elephant Keychain
What yarn and hook do I need?
Use yarn in any color you like, with a hook that gives a firm fabric. The video does not name the yarn or hook size.
How big is the crochet elephant keychain?
It is about 7 to 8 cm long and 5 cm tall. However, this is an estimate and not a measured size.
Can I use googly eyes?
Yes. The pattern uses white felt with a half pearl bead, but googly eyes also work.
How do I turn the elephant into a keychain?
Attach the ring to the top and use pliers to close it. Also, you can sew it on with yarn.
Is this pattern easy for beginners?
It is flat, simple and quick to make. However, you will need a magic ring and slip stitches, so go slowly with the legs and trunk.
Your Pocket-Sized Elephant: A Crochet Elephant Keychain to Keep
It takes only a small amount of yarn, so scraps are perfect. Make one for yourself and a few as gifts, and every elephant will look a little different, just like real ones.
