Koi symbolize luck, prosperity, and perseverance in Japanese culture. A rainbow colorway adds joyful energy, perfect for gifts, backpacks, and key rings. If you love tiny, colorful amigurumi, this lucky rainbow koi fish keychain is a fast, beginner-friendly make that takes about 60–90 minutes.
Background reading: quick overview of koi symbolism (Wikipedia).
New to amigurumi? Start with these guides:
• First Amigurumi – Step-by-Step Guide
• What Is Amigurumi?
• How to Read an Amigurumi Pattern
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Materials & Abbreviations (US Terms)
Materials
- Cotton yarn: Red (head + tail), six rainbow colors (scales), White + Black (eyes)
- Hook: 2.0–2.5 mm
- Stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Keychain ring (optional)
Need sizing confidence? Skim your own guides: Yarn Weight, Gauge & Hook Size, Magic Ring vs Chain Circle, and Changing Colors in Amigurumi.
Abbreviations (US)
- MR = Magic Ring
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same st)
- dec = decrease (sc2tog)
- FLO = front loop only
- BLO = back loop only
- ( ) × n = repeat what’s in brackets n times
Crochet Koi Fish Keychain Pattern (Full Steps)
🐟 Tail (make 2, Red)
- Piece 1 (fasten off):
- R1: MR, 5 sc (5)
- R2: inc × 5 (10)
- R3–R4: 10 sc
- Fasten off.
- Piece 2 (do not cut yarn):
- Repeat R1–R4. Do not fasten off—continue to join for the body.
🐟 Body
- R5: 10 sc around piece 2, then 10 sc around piece 1 → 20
- R6: (2 sc, dec) × 5 → 15
- R7: 15 sc
- R8: (sc, dec) × 5 → 10
- R9–R10: 10 sc
Start stuffing lightly from here and add more as you go.
🧵 Scales foundation (FLO rounds used later for shells)
- R11 (FLO): 10 sc
- R12: (sc, inc) × 5 → 15
- R13 (FLO): 15 sc
- R14: (2 sc, inc) × 5 → 20
- R15 (FLO): 20 sc
- R16: (3 sc, inc) × 5 → 25
- R17 (FLO): (4 sc, inc) × 5 → 30
- R18: 30 sc
- R19 (FLO): 30 sc
- R20: 30 sc
- R21 (FLO): 30 sc
- R22–R23: 30 sc
- R24: (3 sc, dec) × 6 → 24
- R25: (2 sc, dec) × 6 → 18
- R26: (3 sc, dec) × 3, 3 sc → 15
- R27: (2 sc, dec) × 3, 3 sc → 12
- R28: 12 sc — leave a long tail for sewing
- R29: Close opening
🌈 Rainbow Scales (worked on the earlier FLO rounds)
For each FLO round (R11, R13, R15, R17, R19, R21):
- Join a new color.
- sl st in first st, (ch 3, 4 dc) in next st, sl st in next st → 1 shell.
- Each shell spans 3 stitches.
- Stagger shells between rows and change color every row for the rainbow effect.
This shell sequence is what gives the lucky rainbow koi fish keychain pattern its signature layered “scale” look.
👁 Eyes
- With White: MR, 6 sc, sl st to close.
- With Black: stitch a small pupil (or use safety eyes).
- Sew eyes to both sides of the head.
🔗 Assembly
- Sew tail firmly to the back of the body.
- Attach eyes to the head.
- Hide all yarn ends inside.
- Add a keychain ring at the top (through a secure loop) if desired.
Done! Your Lucky Rainbow Koi Fish keychain is ready.
Colorways & Styling (make your koi pop)
Primary look — Rainbow Koi (signature):
Rotate six bright rainbow shades across the shell rows (R11, R13, R15, R17, R19, R21). Stagger shells so colors “blend” diagonally.
Lucky red–gold koi (prosperity theme):
Base/head/tail in red, shells alternating red/gold; add a gold hanging loop.
Kohaku-inspired (classic white + red):
White base with bold red shells for a clean, traditional koi vibe.
Pastel rainbow (cute & soft):
Use powder pink, mint, baby blue, lilac, lemon, peach for a gentle charm.
High-contrast micro koi (tiny key charm):
Drop hook to 2.0 mm and choose saturated colors (e.g., black shells on bright base) for crisp scale definition.
Neat color changes:
Finish the last pull-through with the new color; carry yarn inside (see Changing Colors in Amigurumi). Great for keeping the lucky rainbow koi fish keychain pattern tidy.
Attach to Keyring (quick guide)
What you need: finished koi, strong thread or yarn tail, tapestry needle, jump ring + keyring (or lobster clasp).
- Make a hanging loop
- Insert the needle top-center of the head (between two shell rows).
- Pull a doubled strand through to form a loop ~1.5–2 cm.
- Tie a tight square knot inside the head and bury the knot.
- Add hardware
- Slide a jump ring through the loop and close it fully.
- Attach the keyring (or a lobster clasp if you want a bag charm).
- Tug-test
- Pull firmly to ensure the loop and jump ring won’t slip out.
- If it loosens, re-stitch the loop through more stuffing and stitches.
Neat finish tips
- Hide tails by weaving along the inside and exiting in a red area, then snip.
- If you prefer no visible thread loop, sew a tiny BLO tab at the crown and anchor the jump ring through that tab.
New to hardware? A tiny flat-nose plier helps you open/close jump rings cleanly.
Care & Safety
Safety for gifts & kids
- Swap safety eyes for embroidered eyes (no small parts).
- Stitch the hanging loop through multiple stitches + stuffing for extra hold.
- Avoid long loose threads; weave all tails fully inside.
Cleaning
- Spot clean only with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- Do not soak or machine wash; stuffing can distort the koi shape.
- Press gently with a towel; air-dry away from direct sun to prevent color fade.
Longevity tips
- Use smooth cotton for crisp shells and durability (tight stitches, firm tension).
- Refresh shape by rolling the body between palms; redistribute stuffing if needed.
- If scales curl, lightly steam from a distance and press with fingers—don’t touch the iron to acrylic.
FAQs about Lucky Rainbow Koi Fish Keychain
How big is the finished koi fish keychain?
About 6–9 cm long with a 2.0–2.5 mm hook. Size varies with yarn and tension.
Is this pattern beginner-friendly?
Yes—just sc, inc, dec. The rainbow “scales” are simple fan shells on FLO rounds, which keeps the lucky rainbow koi fish keychain pattern approachable.
What yarn is best for crisp rainbow scales?
Smooth cotton helps the shell edges pop.
How do I change colors neatly between shell rows?
Finish the last pull-through of the previous stitch with the new color and carry yarn inside.
Can I make a micro or jumbo koi?
Yes. Go down a hook size (2.0 mm) for micro, up (3.0–3.5 mm with thicker cotton) for jumbo. Keep stitches tight so stuffing won’t show.
How do I attach it to a keyring securely?
Sew a doubled loop through multiple top stitches and stuffing, add a jump ring, then the keyring. Tug-test firmly.
What can I use instead of safety eyes?
Embroidery with black yarn or a small felt circle. Safer for kids and washable.
Your Lucky Rainbow Koi Fish keychain is ready to bring good vibes to every bag and keyring. If you enjoyed this quick make, try these next (they match the lucky rainbow koi fish keychain pattern in size and skill level):
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