Free Crochet Dumpling Keychain and Squishy Pattern +Tutorial
Start making your own Crochet Dumpling Keychain today and add a cute handmade charm to your keys bags or gifts that everyone will love.
Shelen Crochet shares a simple and fun project that anyone can enjoy. The Crochet Dumpling Keychain is a small, soft, and round accessory that looks just like a little dumpling. Its smooth shape and textured stitches give it a cute and cozy feel, perfect for attaching to your keys or bag.
Free Crochet Dumpling Keychain and Squishy Pattern For Bags
This keychain is made using basic crochet stitches, mostly single crochet, which helps create its nice round form. Using cotton or cotton-blend yarn works best because it shows off the stitches clearly and keeps the shape sturdy. You can make the keychain bigger or smaller by changing the yarn or hook size, and adding little touches like a face or different colors makes each one special.
The idea for this design comes from the simple joy of comfort foods, turning that feeling into a small, everyday charm. It’s a great little gift for friends or a nice treat to keep for yourself. Shelen Crochet offers easy instructions to help you with this project, encouraging you to add your own creative touches along the way.
Dumpling Keychain/Squishy Crochet Pattern
This fun crochet tutorial for an adorable dumpling that can be used either as a keychain or a soft squishy plush! This step-by-step pattern features easy-to-follow rounds, allowing you to use either regular cotton yarn or luxurious chenille for different textures and effects. Let’s create a cute and practical handmade accessory together.
Quick Overview of Pattern
- Versatile Dumpling Shape: Works well in both cotton and chenille yarns for use as a keychain or fidget squishy.
- Beginner-Friendly Techniques: Uses magic ring, rounds of increases and decreases, and embroidery for facial features.
- Charming Details: Customizable with safety eyes and embroidered mouth and cheeks.
- Sturdy Finishing: Designed for durability as a keychain or cozy plush as a squishy.
- Personalization: Choose your favorite yarn color and decorations.
Notes
- This project can be made with cotton yarn for keychains or soft chenille yarn for a squishy toy.
- Safety eyes are used for added cuteness, but you may embroider or sew felt eyes if preferred for baby-safe toys.
- Pattern is worked in continuous rounds; use a stitch marker if needed.
- Adjust the amount of stuffing according to how squishy or firm you want your dumpling.
- When making a keychain, reinforce the attachment for extra durability.
Skill Level
Beginner to Advanced Beginner:
Basic crochet knowledge required, including magic ring, single crochet, increases, and decreases. Some basic embroidery for facial features.
Materials
For Keychain Version:
- Cotton yarn (No. 6); sample uses bluish color (choose your favorite shade)
- Crochet hook – 2.5 mm (or size to suit yarn)
- Safety eyes (8 mm)
- Keyring hardware
- Pillow stuffing (fibrefill)
- Embroidery needle
- Small amount of black yarn (for mouth)
- Small amount of pink yarn (for cheeks)
- Scissors
For Squishy Version:
- Chenille yarn (brand and color as desired; sample uses light pink, color 31)
- Crochet hook – 5 mm (or size to suit chenille)
- Safety eyes (10 mm)
- Black chenille/yarn for mouth
- Pillow stuffing (less is needed for this version)
- Embroidery needle
Measurements / Sizing
- Keychain (Cotton): Approx. 5 cm in width by 3.5 cm in height, not including keyring.
- Squishy (Chenille): Approx. 9–10 cm in width by 6–7 cm in height (depending on stuffing and yarn).
Gauge
- Gauge is not critical, but work tightly enough to prevent stuffing from showing through.
- After round 6 in cotton, piece should measure approximately 4–5 cm across.
Stitch Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Description |
|---|---|
| MR | Magic Ring |
| ch | Chain |
| sc | Single crochet |
| inc | Increase (2 sc in same st) |
| dec | Decrease (invisible preferred) |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
Special Stitches
- False X Stitch: Instead of the standard single crochet, insert your hook under the 'X' created by the strands, yarn over, pull through, complete as a single crochet. This makes a subtle cross in the fabric for a firmer, neater finish.
- Invisible decrease: Insert hook into front loops of next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through, then yarn over and pull through both loops.
Crochet Instructions
Main Dumpling Body
Round 1:
- Start with a magic ring.
- Ch 1 (for height, does not count as a stitch).
- Work 6 sc into the ring, using the False X Stitch if desired.
- Pull tight to close the ring.
- Join with sl st to first sc (6 sc).
Round 2:
- Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
- Work 2 sc in each st around (inc in all).
- Join with sl st to first sc (12 sc).
Round 3:
- Ch 1.
- (sc in next st, inc in next st); repeat around (6 times total).
- Join with sl st (18 sc).
Round 4:
- Ch 1.
- (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st); repeat around (6 times).
- Join with sl st (24 sc).
Round 5:
- Ch 1.
- (sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st); repeat around (6 times).
- Join with sl st (30 sc).
Round 6:
- Ch 1.
- Working in back loops only, sc in each st around.
- Join with sl st (30 sc).
Round 7:
- Ch 1.
- Sc in each st around (both loops).
- Join with sl st (30 sc).
Rounds 8–15:
- Ch 1.
- Sc in each st around.
- Join with sl st (30 sc per round).
- Repeat this “sc around” sequence for each round until you complete round 15.
Finishing the Body:
- At end of round 15, ch 1, cut the yarn leaving a long tail.
- (If making a keychain, this will help you sew on the keychain hardware. For squishy, just use for closure.)
Embroider & Add Face
- Attach Safety Eyes:
- Lay piece flat and count up from the bottom finished round to rounds 4 and 5.
- Insert first eye between rounds ⅘ on the front (centered).
- Insert second eye approx. 3–4 stitches apart, ensuring they align horizontally.
- Secure eyes, adding the washers inside.
- Embroider Mouth:
- Thread a strand of black yarn onto an embroidery needle.
- Stitch a simple “smile” curve underneath the eyes, spanning 3–4 stitches.
- Make a small tack stitch at the base of the smile for security. Pull threads through to inside and knot/tuck away.
- Blush Cheeks:
- Thread pink yarn, double if desired.
- Embroider a small dash or dot on either side below each eye, passing the thread through the head to secure.
- Knot securely inside.
Stuffing
- Loosely fill the dumpling with pillow stuffing (for keychain: firmer; for squishy: softly).
- Shape as you add stuffing for an even appearance.
Closing the Dumpling
- With your long yarn tail and embroidery needle, weave through the remaining stitches around the open edge, picking up every 3 stitches or so to gather.
- Pull tight, cinching the base closed into a star-shaped finish.
- Pass the needle around several more times into the center and back out in other directions for reinforcement.
- Pull taut to reinforce closure and shape.
Attaching the Keychain
- If adding a keychain, bring the needle and yarn tail up through the center of the dumpling’s top to the outside.
- Thread through your keyring hardware several times, passing back into the dumpling, making 4–5 passes for strength.
- Hide the remaining thread by weaving through the body and trim.
Assembly & Finished Size
- Ensure all threads are securely knotted and woven in.
- Adjust the facial embroidery and stuffing as needed.
- For squishy, omit the keyring and leave as a soft toy.
- Finished Size:
- Keychain (cotton): About 5 x 3.5 cm
- Squishy (chenille): About 9–10 x 6–7 cm (depending on yarn/thickness).
Conclusion and Ending Words
Your charming crochet dumpling is now complete! Whether you made a playful keychain with sturdy cotton or a cuddly squishy in plush chenille, this pattern offers cuteness and creative satisfaction in every stitch. Personalize with your favorite colors and facial expressions for a unique touch. Thank you for following this tutorial—may your handmade dumpling bring a smile to you and those who receive it. Happy crocheting and don’t forget to share your creations or subscribe for more delightful patterns!