Crochet Whale Keychain - Step-by-Step Guide

Transform your love for crochet into an adorable keepsake with this charming whale keychain creation. Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this fun and approachable design brings a splash of creativity to your accessories. With every careful stitch, you'll add a touch of personality and whimsy to your daily essentials, turning heads with an ocean-inspired twist.

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This cute whale stands out not only for its intricate details but for its practicality as a keychain. Featuring easy-to-follow steps, from crafting its adorable tail to detailing its sweet facial expressions, you'll create a delightful handmade piece. The combination of thoughtfully selected colors, a clever no-sew tail, and a customizable touch ensures this whale keychain resonates with your individual style.

Credit Divine Crochets

Required Materials

1. Yarn:
   • Primary color for the whale’s body (e.g. pink).
   • White yarn for the bottom portion.
   • Small amounts of pink yarn for the blush.
   • Black yarn for the facial features.
2. Hook: 3.5 mm crochet hook.
3. Notions:
   • Scissors.
   • Stitch marker.
   • Yarn needle.
4. Stuffing: Fiberfill or yarn scraps.

Important Notes

1. The whale is worked in rounds. Always begin each round by marking the first stitch with a stitch marker to keep track.
2. Key techniques:
   • Magic ring: An optional beginner-friendly method using chain stitches and slip stitches to form the foundation ring.
   • Invisible decrease: Used for a polished finish when shaping the whale.
   • Bobble stitch: Creates texture for fins or other decorative features.
3. Slip stitches and chain stitches at the end of each round don't count as stitches.
4. Always finish color changes by pulling the new yarn through the last step of the stitch for seamless transitions.

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Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions

Below is a detailed breakdown of how to crochet your whale:

Creating the Body

1. Foundation (Magic Ring Alternative):
   • Start with a slip knot and chain 4.
   • Slip stitch into the first chain to create a ring.
   • Work stitches into the center of the ring.
2. Round 1:
   • Place 6 single crochet (SC) inside the ring.
   • Slip stitch into the first SC.
   • Chain 1 and pull the tail to close the ring.
3. Round 2:
   • Increase every stitch around: Place 2 SC in each stitch.
   • Total: 12 SC.
   • Slip stitch into the first SC and chain 1.
4. Round 3:
   • Pattern: SC, Increase (2 SC in next stitch), repeat.
   • Total: 18 SC.
   • Slip stitch into the first SC and chain 1.
5. Round 4:
   • Pattern: SC, SC, Increase (2 SC in next stitch), repeat.
   • Total: 24 SC.
   • Slip stitch into the first SC and chain 1.
6. Round 5:
   • Pattern: SC, SC, SC, Increase (2 SC in next stitch), repeat.
   • Total: 30 SC.
   • Slip stitch into the first SC and chain 1.

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Rounds 6–8 (Shape the Body)

• Place 1 SC in each stitch for the next 3 rounds.
• Slip stitch at the end of each round and chain 1.

Tail

1. Begin the tail after finishing Round 8:
   • Chain 5 (skip first chain from the hook).
   • Second chain: SC.
   • Next 2 chains: Half Double Crochet (HDC).
   • Last chain: Slip stitch.
2. Slip stitch into the same base stitch and repeat Step 1 to create the second half of the tail.
3. Slip stitch into the base stitch again to secure the tail.
4. Chain 1 and continue with Round 9.

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Round 9 (Start Adding Features)

1. Work 7 SC, then add a bobble stitch:
   • Yarn over.
   • Insert hook in the next stitch.
   • Yarn over and pull through (3 loops on hook).
   • Yarn over and pull through 2 loops.
   • Repeat this process 3 more times in the same stitch (total of 5 loops on hook).
   • Yarn over and pull through all loops to complete the bobble.
2. Work 13 SC, then create another bobble stitch.
3. Finish with 8 SC.
4. Color change:
   • Begin the last SC but pull white yarn through the final step to switch colors.
5. Slip stitch into the first SC and chain 1.

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Round 10 (White Portion)

• Place 1 SC in each stitch around.
• Total: 30 SC.
• Slip stitch into the first SC and chain 1.

Rounds 11–13 (Shaping the Whale)

• Round 11: SC, SC, SC, Decrease, repeat.
  • Total: 24 stitches.
• Round 12: SC, SC, Decrease, repeat.
  • Total: 18 stitches.
• Round 13: SC, Decrease, repeat.
  • Total: 12 stitches.

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Round 14 (Closing the Body)

• Decrease all the way around (6 stitches remaining).
• Slip stitch into the first stitch and chain 1.

Finishing

1. Stuffing:
   • Fill the whale with stuffing, focusing on creating a rounded shape. Pinch the tail section for a curved finish.
2. Close the Center Hole:
   • Using a yarn needle, weave through the front loops of the last 6 stitches.
   • Pull tight to cinch the hole closed.
   • Knot and hide the tail within the whale.

Adding Facial Details

1. Blush:
   • Using pink yarn, embroider short horizontal lines (between rounds 7–8) on either side of the whale’s cheeks.
   • Knot and tuck yarn tails inside the whale.
2. Eyes:
   • Embroider black eyes one stitch away from the blush on each side.
   • Create small oval shapes by stitching multiple times in the same area.
   • Knot and tuck the yarn tails.

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Optional: Turning Into a Keychain

• Attach a jump ring to the top of the whale via a few stitches using leftover tail yarn or metal hardware.

Enjoy your cute whale keychain!

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Video Tutorial