Crochet Jack O’ Lantern Keychain with 4 Face Options Easy Tutorial for Beginners

Create a cute Crochet Jack O’ Lantern keychain with a customizable face! A fun Halloween project that’s quick to make and perfect for bags or keys.

This crochet Jack O’ Lantern keychain brings a festive Halloween touch in a compact design that fits perfectly on keys, bags, or seasonal decorations. The ribbed crochet pumpkin texture, rounded shape, and tiny brown stem come together to create a cheerful handmade accessory that looks charming from every angle.

The tutorial builds the crochet pumpkin from two textured panels joined into a stuffed shape, then finishes it with a customizable face and keychain hardware. Every step follows a simple order, making it easy to see the pumpkin come to life as each detail is added.

Credit Jennifer Noelle

Design Details

• Texture: Ribbing that mimics real pumpkin sections (achieved via BLO single crochet).
• Shape: Pinched top and bottom for a rounded pumpkin effect (using slip stitches strategically).
• Stem: A small attachable brown stem completes the look.
• Optional Add-ons: Face embroidery or safety eyes for a jack-o’-lantern appearance.

Key Features

• Techniques Used:
  • Slip knot
  • Chain stitch (ch)
  • Single crochet (sc)
  • Back Loops Only Single Crochet (BLO sc)
  • Half double crochet (hdc)
  • Double crochet (dc)
  • Slip stitch (sl st)
  • Extended single crochet
  • Single-crochet decreases (sc2tog)
  • Joining flat panels together.

Materials Needed

1. Yarn: Size 4 medium worsted weight in:
   • Orange (for the pumpkin body)
   • Black (for face embroidery or decoration)
   • Brown (for the stem).
2. Eyes:
   • Optional 9 mm safety eyes and backings.
3. Stuffing: Polyfill for filling the pumpkin.
4. Hardware: O-ring and swivel clasp keychain hardware.
5. Hook: Size G / 4 mm crochet hook.
6. Tools: Tapestry needle and scissors.

Gauge

Gauge is not specified, but the compactness of your stitches increases shape durability for stuffed projects.

Finished Size

The final size is not specified, but likely depends on yarn tension and hook size.

Abbreviations & Stitch Terminology

• ch: Chain
• sc: Single Crochet
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• hdc: Half Double Crochet
• dc: Double Crochet
• BLO: Back Loop Only

Helpful Tips

1. Create the ribbing texture by crocheting into the back loops only of the stitches in each row.
2. Count the ridges: Each visible ridge equals two rows completed.

Pattern Overview & Making Process

The pumpkin begins by making two matching body panels. Each panel is worked in rows of back-loop-only single crochet to create the raised pumpkin ridges, then a decorative border is crocheted around all four sides to shape the curves and top and bottom indentations.

Once both panels are complete, they are placed together and joined with single crochet around the edges. Before closing the final opening, safety eyes can be inserted if desired, the pumpkin is firmly stuffed with polyfill, and the seam is finished to create its rounded form.

The final step adds a small brown stem worked directly onto the top of the pumpkin using single crochet, extended single crochet, and decreases. After weaving in the ends, you can embroider a Jack O’ Lantern face or use safety eyes, then attach the keychain hardware to complete the finished accessory.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Orange Body Panels (Make 2)

Foundation

1. Start with a slip knot and chain 9.

Row 1

1. Skip the first chain from the hook.
2. Work 1 sc into each of the next 8 chains. (8 sc)
3. Turn.

Rows 2–8

1. Ch 1, turn.
2. Work 1 BLO sc into each of the 8 stitches across. (8 BLO sc)
3. Turn.

Continue until 8 rows are completed.

Border Round

After Row 8, do not turn your work. Rotate your piece to work into the edge stitches:

Top Edge

• In the 1st space (same as last sc): Work 1 sc, 1 hdc.
• In the 2nd space: Work 1 dc, 1 hdc.
• In the 3rd space: Work 1 sc.
• In the next 2 spaces: Work 1 sl st into each space.
• In the 6th space: Work 1 sc.
• In the 7th space: Work 1 hdc, 1 dc.
• In the 8th space/corner loop: Work 1 hdc, 1 sc.

Opposite Side of Chain

• Rotate to work down the opposite side of the foundation chain (8 loops):
  • Work 1 sc, 6 hdc, 1 sc.

Bottom Edge

• Rotate to work along the bottom edge:
  • In the 1st space: Work 1 sc, 1 hdc.
  • In the 2nd space: Work 1 hdc, 1 sc.
  • In the 3rd space: Work 1 sl st, 1 hdc.
  • In the 4th and 5th spaces: Work 2 dc in each space.
  • In the 6th space: Work 1 hdc, 1 sl st.
  • In the 7th space: Work 1 sc, 1 hdc.
  • In the corner loop: Work 1 hdc, 1 sc.

Final Side

1. • Rotate to work along the final side:
     • Work 1 sc, 6 hdc, 1 sc.
   • Join with a slip stitch into the first sc of the border round, then ch 1.
2. Fasten off the first panel.
3. Do not fasten off the second panel—you’ll use the attached yarn for assembly.

Assembly Instructions

1. Place the 2 panels together with their wrong sides facing each other.
2. Insert your hook through the corner stitches of both panels and secure with a single crochet.
3. Work 1 sc through both layers around the edges:
   • Pay attention to slip-stitch spaces (top and bottom) to pinch the shape.
4. Stop sewing when a small opening remains on the final side.
5. If using safety eyes:
   • Insert between rows 2 and 3 and rows 6 and 7 (about 4 spaces down from the top), securing with the backings.
6. Stuff the pumpkin firmly with polyfill, making sure to fill the top corners.
7. Complete the remaining single crochets to close the gap.
8. Join with a slip stitch into the first joining stitch, then ch 1 and fasten off.
9. Tuck all remaining orange yarn tails inside the pumpkin body.

Attaching the Brown Stem

Row 1

1. Attach brown yarn with a ch 1 into the first top sc stitch next to the center dip.
2. Work:
   • 1 sc in the same space.
   • 1 extended sc into the base of each of the next two slip stitches from the border round.
   • 1 sc into the next sc stitch.
3. Ch 1, turn. (4 stitches)

Row 2

1. Work 1 sc into each of the 4 stitches across.
2. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3

1. Work 2 sc decreases (sc2tog) across the 4 stitches.
2. Ch 1, fasten off, and weave in the remaining brown tails.

Customization Ideas

1. Face Variations:
   • Use safety eyes or embroider spooky or smiling faces with black yarn.
2. Include Keychain Hardware:
   • Attach an O-ring/swivel clasp through the stem or stitches for portability.
3. Alternative Use:
   • Keep it as a cute desk decoration instead of a keychain.

Common Troubleshooting

• Stuffing Issues: Polyfill poking out? Push it inward with your finger or the back of your hook as you crochet the seam.
• Face Distortion: Avoid pulling embroidery stitches too tight, as this can warp the pumpkin shape.

Final Touch

Add your hardware, tuck loose yarn ends, and enjoy your festive Pumpkin Keychain! 🎃

Video Tutorial