How to Make a Crochet Coffee Cup Keychain: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Turn a few small amounts of yarn into an adorable coffee cup keychain! This miniature crochet project features a white takeaway-style lid, a brown coffee band, a beige cup body, and a smiling face with pink cheeks.
In this tutorial, you will crochet the lid first, build the cup underneath it, add the facial details and keychain attachment, and finish with a stuffed brown base.
Pattern note: This tutorial adapts the instructions shown in the reference image. It clarifies the assembly and replaces the final skipped-stitch shaping with decreases for a neater bottom. The adapted pattern has not been physically tested.
Materials You Will Need
| Material | Details |
|---|---|
| Yarn | 4-ply milk cotton yarn |
| White yarn | For the lid |
| Material | Details |
|---|---|
| Yarn | 4-ply milk cotton yarn, as specified in the reference image |
| White yarn | For the lid |
| Brown yarn | For the upper band and cup bottom |
| Beige yarn | For the main cup body |
| Pink yarn | For the cheeks |
| Black embroidery thread or fine yarn | For the mouth or embroidered eyes |
| Crochet hook | 2.5 mm, or a size that produces firm, close stitches |
| Eyes | Two 6 mm safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes |
| Fiberfill | A small amount for stuffing |
| Yarn needle | For embroidery, sewing, and closing the base |
| Scissors | For trimming yarn |
| Stitch marker | For marking the beginning of each round |
| Keychain hardware | A split ring with a short chain and attachment link |
| Strong thread or cord | For making a secure attachment loop |
Safety note: Safety eyes and keychain hardware are small parts. This item is not suitable for babies or young children. If using safety eyes, secure them with their locking washers inside the cup; do not rely on glue.
Crochet Abbreviations
This tutorial uses US crochet terminology.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | Magic ring |
| ch | Chain |
| sc | Single crochet |
| inc | Increase: work 2 single crochets into one stitch |
| dec | Decrease: combine two stitches into one |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| BLO | Back loop only |
| FLO | Front loop only |
| st | Stitch |
| R | Round |
The number in parentheses gives the total stitch count at the end of a round.
Unless otherwise stated, work in continuous rounds. Mark the first stitch of each round and move your marker as you progress. A starting chain does not count as a stitch.
For decreases, use an invisible decrease when working through both loops. Where the pattern specifies BLO, work the decrease through the back loops of the next two stitches.
Step 1: Crochet the Center of the White Lid
Start with white yarn. The first rounds form the circular center of the lid.
| Round | Instructions | Stitch count |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | Work 8 sc into a magic ring. | 8 |
| R2 | Inc in every stitch. | 16 |
| R3 | Repeat (sc, inc) 8 times. |
24 |
| R4 | Working in BLO, make 1 sl st, then 23 sc. | 24 |
Pull the magic ring closed and weave in the starting tail securely.
Round 4 creates a subtle ridge. Avoid pulling its first slip stitch too tightly: you will need to work into it during the next round.
Photo placement: Show the small white lid center after Round 4, with the stitch marker visible.
Step 2: Shape the Raised Lid Rim
Continue with white yarn.
| Round | Instructions | Stitch count |
|---|---|---|
| R5 | Working in FLO, repeat (inc, 3 sc) 6 times. |
30 |
| R6 | Sc in every stitch, working through both loops. | 30 |
| R7 | Sl st in every stitch around. | 30 |
Fasten off and weave in the end without tightening the rim.
Important: Round 5 uses only the front loops of Round 4. Leave the unused back loops of Round 4 available underneath the rim. You will attach the brown cup section to those loops next.
The finished lid should have a slightly raised center and a wider outer edge.
Photo placement: Show the completed lid from a three-quarter angle, revealing its shape and the attachment loops beneath the rim.
Step 3: Crochet the Brown Upper Band
Turn the lid so you can reach the unused back loops of white Round 4.
Join brown yarn to any one of those loops. This section forms the upper brown band underneath the white lid.
| Round | Instructions | Stitch count |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | Ch 1, then work 24 sc around the unused back loops of white R4. | 24 |
| R2 | Sc in every stitch. | 24 |
| R3 | Sc in every stitch. | 24 |
| R4 | Sc in every stitch, changing to beige during the final stitch. | 24 |
To change color, begin the last brown single crochet as usual. When two loops remain on the hook, yarn over with beige and pull it through both loops.
Cut the brown yarn, leaving a tail to weave in.
Photo placement: Show the white lid attached to the short brown band, with beige yarn ready on the hook.
Step 4: Crochet the Beige Cup Body
Continue with beige yarn.
| Round | Instructions | Stitch count |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | Sl st in every stitch around. Keep these stitches loose enough to work into. | 24 |
| R2 | Working in BLO, sc in every stitch. | 24 |
| R3 | Sc in every stitch through both loops. | 24 |
| R4 | Sc in every stitch. | 24 |
| R5 | Sc in every stitch. | 24 |
The slip-stitch round creates a defined transition between the brown band and the beige body.
Pause here before narrowing the cup. Keep your working loop secured with a stitch marker while you add the face.
Photo placement: Show the lid, brown band, and completed beige body, with the bottom still open.
Step 5: Add the Eyes, Smile, and Pink Cheeks
Choose the front of your cup. If possible, position the color-change area toward the back.
Place the eyes around the middle of the beige section, approximately four to five stitch positions apart. Check the placement before securing anything.
For safety eyes, push the posts between stitches and attach the locking washers from inside the open cup. Alternatively, embroider two small black eyes.
Use black embroidery thread to stitch a small curved smile between and slightly below the eyes.
With pink yarn, make two short horizontal stitches beneath the outer side of each eye to create the cheeks. Secure the embroidery ends inside without pulling so tightly that the cup puckers.
Photo placement: Show a close-up of the finished face, with the base still open.
Step 6: Secure the Keychain Attachment
Attach the keychain before stuffing and closing the cup, while you can still access the inside.
Using strong thread or cord, sew a small attachment loop at the top center of the white lid. Anchor it through several crochet stitches rather than through a single strand of yarn.
Secure the ends inside the lid, then connect the short keychain chain to the loop using a suitable attachment link.
Gently pull the hardware to check that the attachment holds and the lid does not distort excessively.
Photo placement: Show the metal ring and chain attached at the center of the lid.
Step 7: Narrow the Body and Crochet the Brown Bottom
Resume crocheting with beige yarn.
| Section | Instructions | Stitch count |
|---|---|---|
| Beige R6 |
Repeat (dec, 6 sc) 3 times. Change to brown
during the final stitch.
|
21 |
| Brown R1 | Working in BLO, make 20 sc, then 1 sl st. | 21 |
| Brown R2 | Working through both loops, sc in every stitch. | 21 |
| Brown R3 | Repeat (dec, 5 sc) 3 times. |
18 |
The beige decrease round gently tapers the cup. The brown BLO round creates a defined lower edge.
Keep the slip stitch loose enough to work into during the following round.
Leave the remaining opening accessible for stuffing.
Photo placement: Show the nearly finished cup with its brown lower section and open base.
Step 8: Stuff the Coffee Cup
Add fiberfill through the bottom opening in small amounts.
Push a little stuffing into the lid first, then fill the body evenly. Use your fingers or the blunt end of a suitable tool to guide the stuffing gently.
Aim for a softly rounded cup that holds its shape. Do not overstuff: too much filling can stretch the stitches, expose the fiberfill, and distort the face.
Check that the lid stays centered and the smile remains even.
Photo placement: Show fiberfill being added through the open brown base.
Step 9: Close the Bottom
Work the final brown round.
| Round | Instructions | Stitch count |
|---|---|---|
| Brown R4 | Working in BLO, repeat (dec, sc) 6 times. |
12 |
This replaces the reference image’s skipped-stitch round with decreases to help reduce gaps.
Cut the yarn, leaving a sewing tail approximately 15–20 cm long.
Thread the tail onto a yarn needle. Pass it through the front loop of each of the 12 remaining stitches, then pull gently to close the opening.
Secure the closure and weave the tail through the stuffed body before trimming it. Shape the base with your fingers so the cup sits as neatly as possible.
Photo placement: Show the yarn needle passing through the remaining loops as the bottom opening closes.
Step 10: Finish and Check Your Keychain
Gently shape the cup and smooth the white rim.
Check the finished details before using the keychain.
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Lid | The white rim sits evenly above the brown band. |
| Face | The eyes, smile, and cheeks are securely attached. |
| Stuffing | The cup feels evenly filled without visible fiberfill. |
| Bottom | The opening is fully closed and the tail is hidden. |
| Hardware | The ring, chain, and attachment loop are secure. |
| Yarn ends | All ends are woven in neatly. |
Your crochet coffee cup keychain is complete! Attach it to your keys, a bag zipper, or a pouch for a cheerful handmade accessory.
Photo placement: Show the completed keychain upright, with the full metal ring visible.
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