Some projects have a way of staying with you, and for me, it was a tiny crochet frog keychain. I made it years ago with leftover green yarn and a simple hook, never thinking it would become such a favorite. My granddaughter clipped it to her school bag, and soon it had a name, a story, and even a “seat” at the dinner table. That’s the magic of a handmade keychain frog, small in size but packed with personality.
What makes a frog design so loved? Part of it is the charm of a frog plush keychain. Its floppy legs dangle, its big round eyes peek out, and it feels like carrying a pocket-sized friend wherever you go. Some compare it to the soft appeal of a jellycat frog keychain or the quirky fun of a ricky rain frog keychain, but when you crochet one yourself, you add your own style, color choices, and details.
This kind of project is perfect for beginners who want something quick and satisfying, but it’s just as fun for experienced crocheters looking for a playful design. With only a few materials, some yarn, stuffing, and a keychain ring, you can make a frog keychain plush that’s both adorable and practical. Clip it to keys, backpacks, or gift it to someone who needs a little extra cheer in their day.
If you love small handmade toys, you might also enjoy my amigurumi duck pattern free or the playful swinging duck crochet pattern which has become a reader favorite. These projects, like today’s frog, prove that even the tiniest stitches can bring the biggest smiles.
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Full Crochet Frog Keychain Pattern
Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: green, white, pink, black (cotton or acrylic)(for hook and yarn pairing, see the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight guide for reference)
- Crochet hook: 1.8 mm (or size to match your yarn)
- Safety eyes
- Stuffing
- Yarn needle
- Keychain ring or loop (optional)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR = Magic Ring
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec = decrease (sc 2 together)
- st = stitch
- rep = repeat
(If you’re new to crochet terms, you may like this step-by-step beginner’s guide to reading amigurumi patterns.)
useful links:
Body (Green)
- R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
- R2: 6 inc (12)
- R3: (sc, inc) × 6 (18)
- R4: (2 sc, inc) × 6 (24)
- R5: (3 sc, inc) × 6 (30)
- R6: (4 sc, inc) × 6 (36)
- R7–12: 36 sc (36)
- R13: (6 sc, dec) × 4 (32)
- R14: (6 sc, dec) × 4 (28)
- R15: (5 sc, dec) × 4 (24)
- R16: 24 sc (24)
- R17: (4 sc, dec) × 4 (20)
- R18: 20 sc (20)
- R19: (3 sc, dec) × 4 (16)
- R20: 16 sc (16)
- R21: (2 sc, dec) × 4 (12)
- R22: 12 sc (12)
- R23: (sc, dec) × 4 (8)
- R24: 8 sc (8)
- R25: (2 sc, inc) × 6 (24)
- R26: (3 sc, inc) × 6 (30)
- R27–29: 30 sc (30)
- R30: (3 sc, dec) × 6 (24)
- R31: (2 sc, dec) × 6 (18)
- R32: (sc, dec) × 6 (12)
- R33: 6 dec (6)
Stuff as you go to keep the shape firm.
Arms (Make 2, Green)
- R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
- R2: 6 inc (12)
- R3: (sc, inc) × 6 (18)
- R4: 18 sc (18)
- R5: (sc, dec) × 6 (12)
- R6: 6 dec (6), close and stuff lightly
- From ball, crochet a chain of 10–12 ch.
Legs (Make 2, Green)
- R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
- R2: 6 inc (12)
- R3: (sc, inc) × 6 (18)
- R4–5: 18 sc (18)
- R6: (sc, dec) × 6 (12)
- R7: 6 dec (6), close and stuff well.
- From ball, crochet a chain of 15–18 ch.
sew to the bottom of the body. The dangling design is what gives this crochet frog keychain its playful charm.
Eyes (Make 2, Green)
- R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
- R2: 6 inc (12)
- R3: (sc, inc) × 6 (18)
Sew on top of the head. Insert safety eyes or embroider pupils.
Eyelids (Make 2, White)
- R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Sew half-circles above the eyes.
Cheeks (Make 2, Pink)
- R1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Sew to each side of the mouth area.
Mouth (Black)
Embroider a smile with black yarn or embroidery thread.
Hanging Loop
- Crochet a chain of desired length.
- Attach to head for keychain.
Assembly
- Stuff body, arms, and legs.
- Sew the eyes on top of the head, then attach eyelids.
- Add pink cheeks to the sides.
- Attach arms to the body and legs to the bottom.
- Embroider the mouth.
- Add a loop or keychain ring at the top.
✨ Done! You now have your own frog keychain plush with dangling legs cute, practical, and ready to hang on keys or backpacks.
(For another fun project, see this amigurumi bunny free pattern which is just as adorable.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest animal to crochet for beginners?
Small projects like a keychain frog or a basic bear are among the easiest. They use simple stitches and don’t take much yarn or time, making them perfect first projects
How do you “frog” crochet without damaging your yarn?
“Frogging” means undoing stitches. To do it safely, pull the yarn gently and rewind it into a ball as you go. If the yarn snags, stop and loosen the stitches slowly to avoid breaking the fibers.
What is the prettiest crochet stitch for plush toys?
Many crocheters love the single crochet (sc) because it creates a neat, dense fabric, ideal for amigurumi. For texture, the bobble stitch or puff stitch can make details like cheeks or spots extra cute.
How can I make my crochet look fluffy?
Choose a soft yarn like chenille or brushed acrylic, and use a slightly larger hook than usual. After finishing, lightly brush the surface with a soft-bristle brush to fluff the fibers. This trick works beautifully if you want a frog keychain plush that feels like a mini stuffed toy.
The crochet frog keychain is one of those small but joyful projects that brings smiles everywhere it goes. With its round eyes, dangling legs, and squishy charm, it’s a handmade treasure you can clip to your bag, gift to a friend, or keep as your own pocket companion.
Whether you imagine it like a playful jellycat frog keychain, a quirky ricky rain frog keychain, or simply your own creative design, the steps above will guide you to stitch one with ease.
And here’s the secret: what makes handmade items so special isn’t just the yarn or stitches, it’s the stories we carry with them. Each little frog plush keychain you make is unique, stitched with love, and ready to hop into someone’s day.
If you enjoyed this project, you might also like my whale crochet pattern free or the leggy frog crochet tutorial, which are just as fun and beginner-friendly.
Happy stitching, and may your frog dangle happily from your keys! 🐸✨
