How to Add a Keychain to Your Tiny Treasure Chest Kit: A Step-by-Step Accessory Tutorial

You’ve finished crocheting your tiny amigurumi – maybe a cute fruit, a little fairy, or a mini hot dog – and now you want to take it everywhere. Adding a keychain ring is one of the easiest ways to turn your handmade piece into a daily accessory. Whether you’re attaching it to your bag, keys, or backpack, a keychain gives your creation a second life outside the shelf.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to securely attach a keychain ring to any crochet project using a simple technique that works with most amigurumi shapes. No special tools required – just your finished piece, a keychain ring, and a bit of yarn or thread. If you’re working with a kit like the Tiny Sleep Mask Accessory Kit or Spongebob's Jellyfishing Net Accessory Kit, the same principle applies.

What You’ll Need for This Crochet Keychain Project

Before you start, gather a few basic supplies. You’ll need your finished amigurumi (make sure it’s fully stuffed and closed), a keychain ring (split ring or lobster clasp both work), a tapestry needle, and a short length of matching yarn or strong thread. If your project came with leftover yarn from the kit, that’s perfect – it blends in seamlessly.

For extra security, you can also use a small piece of clear elastic cord or fishing line, but yarn is usually enough for lightweight amigurumi. Avoid using glue unless you’re attaching a non-load-bearing charm, because yarn-to-ring connections hold up better over time.

• Tip: Choose a keychain ring with a diameter of at least 1 inch so it’s easy to open and close.

Step 1: Choose Your Attachment Point

Decide where on your amigurumi you want the keychain to hang. The most common spot is the top of the head, but you can also attach it to a loop on a hat, a wing, or even the handle of a tiny treasure chest if you’re making a themed piece. For balanced hanging, center the ring at the highest point of your project.

If your amigurumi has a visible seam or a magic circle closure, that’s a great anchor point because the stitches are tight. Avoid attaching the ring to a loose appendage like an arm or leg, as it may cause the piece to hang unevenly or stress the yarn over time.

Step 2: Thread the Yarn Through the Keychain Ring

Cut a 12-inch piece of yarn or thread. Thread it through the eye of your tapestry needle, then pass the needle through the keychain ring. Pull the yarn until you have a loop on one side and two tails on the other. This loop will be your anchor point for stitching into the amigurumi.

If you’re using a split ring, you can also hook the loop directly around the ring before stitching – just make sure the ring is closed tightly afterward. For a lobster clasp, thread the yarn through the small loop at the base of the clasp.

Step 3: Sew the Ring onto Your Amigurumi

Insert the needle into the amigurumi at your chosen attachment point, going from the outside to the inside. Pull the yarn through, leaving the loop with the ring on the outside. Then bring the needle back out about 1/4 inch away from the entry point, passing through the loop of yarn that’s holding the ring.

Repeat this stitch 3-4 times, pulling firmly but not so tight that you distort the shape. Each stitch should pass through the yarn loop and the amigurumi body, creating a secure connection. Tie a knot on the inside of the piece, then weave in the ends using your tapestry needle.

• Pro tip: For extra durability, add a drop of fabric glue or clear nail polish to the knot before trimming the yarn.

Step 4: Test and Adjust the Keychain

Once your knot is secure and ends are woven in, gently tug on the keychain ring to make sure it’s firmly attached. The ring should move freely without pulling out any stitches. If it feels loose, repeat the stitching process with another pass or two.

Now you’re ready to clip it onto your keys, backpack, or purse. This simple hack works with almost any amigurumi you’ve made from a kit – whether it’s a Frank the Hot Dog Crochet Kit or a Sandy the Watermelon Crochet Kit. You can even mix and match keychains to swap out your accessories depending on your mood.

Adding a keychain to your finished crochet project is a quick, low-cost way to make your amigurumi portable and fun. Once you master this technique, you can turn any tiny treasure into a daily companion. Grab your finished piece and a ring, and you’ll have a new accessory in less than 10 minutes.