Looking for a quick handmade gift that will make anyone smile? This adorable pink jellyfish keychain is exactly what you need. It works up in just a few hours, uses basic amigurumi techniques, and makes the perfect bag charm for ocean lovers of all ages.
The construction is straightforward once you break it down. You will crochet a striped bell from the top down, add a frilly ruffle skirt, then attach a mix of bobble and spiral tentacles. The whole thing clips onto a keychain ring and dangles cheerfully from bags, backpacks, or keys.
This pattern is ideal for using up small amounts of cotton yarn from your stash. If you have been wanting to try amigurumi but felt intimidated by larger projects, this compact jellyfish is the perfect place to start. Let me walk you through every step.
About This Crochet Jellyfish Pattern
This amigurumi jellyfish keychain is worked in continuous rounds using single crochet stitches and simple increases and decreases. The bell features alternating pink and white stripes that create that classic jellyfish look. A decorative shell stitch ruffle sits at the base of the bell, and twelve tentacles hang freely beneath.
The finished jellyfish measures approximately 3 inches across the bell and 7 to 8 inches in total length including the tentacles. It is lightweight enough to clip onto anything without weighing it down.
Skill level: Intermediate. You should be comfortable working in continuous rounds, making clean color changes, and creating basic amigurumi shapes. The tentacles require a bit of patience, but none of the individual techniques are difficult.
Time estimate: 4 to 6 hours total. The tentacles account for roughly half the working time, so put on a good podcast and settle in.
Materials You Will Need
Gathering your supplies before you start makes the whole process smoother. Here is everything you need for this crochet tutorial.
Yarn:
Recommended yarn brands:
Hook:
Notions:
Gauge
Getting gauge right matters for this project. You want a firm fabric so the stuffing does not show through.
Gauge: 7 single crochet stitches across and 8 rows equals 1 inch (2.5 cm) in continuous rounds, worked tightly.
Quick gauge check: Work Rounds 1 through 5 of the bell. The piece should measure approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. If your piece is larger, switch to a smaller hook. If smaller, go up a hook size.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me define every abbreviation before we dive into the step by step instructions. If you are newer to crochet patterns, bookmark this section.
Special Stitches
This pattern uses two special stitches. Both are easier than they sound.
Bobble Stitch (for tentacles)
This creates the bumpy texture on the bobble tentacles.
1. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch indicated
2. Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)
3. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops remain)
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 two more times into the same stitch (4 loops on hook)
5. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops to close the bobble
6. Chain 1 to secure the bobble shape
Shell Stitch (for ruffle)
Work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) all into the same stitch. This creates one scallop.
Picot (for ruffle edging)
Chain 3, slip stitch into the first chain made. This creates a small decorative loop.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
A few things to keep in mind as you work through this crochet pattern.
The bell is worked in continuous rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless instructed. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round and move it up as you work.
Color changes happen by completing the last yarn over of the final stitch with the new color. You can carry the unused color loosely up the inside or cut and rejoin.
The stripe sequence alternates two rounds of Color A with two rounds of Color B. Start with Color A.
Stuff the bell firmly before closing. Add stuffing in small pinches as you decrease, not all at once.
All tentacles are made separately and attached after construction.
Stitch counts appear in parentheses at the end of each round.
Section 1: The Bell
The bell begins at the top and works downward. This is where the keychain will attach.
Set Up: With Color A, make a magic ring.
Round 1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull tail to close ring. (6 sc)
Round 2: Work 2 sc into each st around. (12 sc)
Round 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) rep around. (18 sc)
Round 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) rep around. (24 sc)
Round 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) rep around. (30 sc)
Change to Color B on the last yarn over of the final st.
Round 6: With Color B, (sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) rep around. (36 sc)
Round 7: With Color B, (sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) rep around. (42 sc)
Change to Color A on the last yarn over of the final st.
Round 8: With Color A, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
Round 9: With Color A, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
Change to Color B on the last yarn over of the final st.
Round 10: With Color B, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
Round 11: With Color B, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
Change to Color A on the last yarn over of the final st.
Round 12: With Color A, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
Round 13: With Color A, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
Change to Color B on the last yarn over of the final st.
Round 14: With Color B, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
Round 15: With Color B, sc in each st around. (42 sc)
Change to Color A on the last yarn over of the final st.
Checkpoint: Your bell should be a rounded dome approximately 2.75 to 3 inches wide and 1.5 to 1.75 inches tall.
Now begin decreasing to close the bottom. Start adding stuffing before the opening gets too small.
Round 16: With Color A, (sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog) rep around. (36 sc)
Round 17: With Color A, (sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog) rep around. (30 sc)
Round 18: With Color B, (sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog) rep around. (24 sc)
Add remaining stuffing now. The bell should be firmly filled.
Round 19: With Color B, (sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) rep around. (18 sc)
Round 20: With Color A, (sc in next st, sc2tog) rep around. (12 sc)
Round 21: With Color A, (sc2tog) rep around. (6 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 6 inch tail. Thread tail onto yarn needle and draw through the remaining 6 sts. Pull tight to close the opening completely. Weave in the tail securely on the inside.
Section 2: Ruffle Skirt
The ruffle attaches to Round 15, which is the widest point just before the decreases began. You will work into the front loops only of this round.
Turn the bell so the closed bottom faces up. The ruffle attaches at the outer edge, the round just before decreasing begins.
Join Color B with a sl st into any FLO of Round 15.
Ruffle Round 1 (foundation ruffle): Ch 1. In the same st as join, work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) for one shell. Skip 1 st. In the next st, work another shell. Continue (shell in next st, skip 1 st) around.
You will create 21 shells total (42 stitches divided by 2 equals 21 repeats).
Sl st into the first sc of the first shell to join. (21 shells)
Ruffle Round 2 (edging): Join Color A with a sl st into the top dc of any shell. Ch 1. Work sc into the same dc. Work picot (ch 3, sl st into first ch). Sc into same dc. Sl st into the sc on the other side of the same shell peak. Sl st into the sc at the beginning of the next shell. Work (sc, picot, sc) into the dc peak of that shell. Continue around with (sc, picot, sc) into each shell dc peak, sl st through the valley between shells. Sl st into the first sc to join.
Fasten off Color A and weave in ends.
Checkpoint: Your bell with ruffle should look like a dome sitting atop a decorative scalloped white frill with pink edging.
Section 3: Tentacles
The jellyfish has two types of tentacles: bobble tentacles (bumpy texture) and spiral tentacles (curly spirals). You will make 8 bobble tentacles in Color A and 4 spiral tentacles in Color B for 12 total.
Bobble Tentacles (make 8 in Color A)
With Color A, ch 31.
Row 1: Beginning in the 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sc. (Work 1 bobble stitch into the next ch, then sc into the ch after that) repeat until 1 ch remains. Sc into the last ch.
This creates a heavily textured rope with 15 sc and 15 bobbles across 30 working chains.
Do not turn. Fasten off, leaving an 8 inch tail for attachment.
Spiral Tentacles (make 4 in Color B)
With Color B, ch 31.
Row 1: Beginning in the 2nd ch from hook, work 3 sc into each ch across. (90 sc total worked into 30 chains)
The excess stitches cause the strip to spiral naturally. Do not flatten it.
Fasten off, leaving an 8 inch tail for attachment.
Section 4: Tentacle Attachment
Arrange the tentacles beneath the ruffle skirt. For each tentacle:
1. Thread the long tail onto a yarn needle
2. Insert the needle from the underside of the ruffle up through to the outside
3. Pull through until just a short tail remains on the top side
4. Reinsert the needle back through a neighboring stitch, going from outside to inside
5. Tie the two tail ends together with two tight square knots on the inside
6. Weave both ends into the stuffed body for 1 to 2 inches to secure, then trim
Placement guide: Divide the base into 4 quadrants. In each quadrant, place 2 bobble tentacles and 1 spiral tentacle. Going around: bobble, bobble, spiral, bobble, bobble, spiral, bobble, bobble, spiral, bobble, bobble, spiral.
Section 5: Keychain Hardware Attachment
Cut a 12 inch length of Color A. Thread both ends onto a yarn needle so it doubles. Draw the doubled strand through the magic ring at the very top of the bell, from inside out, leaving a loop on the outside. Thread the keychain ring through that loop before pulling the yarn snug. Knot the doubled strand several times, pull tightly, and weave all ends into the top of the bell.
Finishing Your Jellyfish Keychain
Weave in any remaining ends. Use a yarn needle to gently adjust the ruffle shells so they are evenly spaced and face outward.
To block, lightly mist with water, shape the dome with your fingers, and allow to dry completely dome side up. Do not press with an iron.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with gentle detergent. Do not wring or twist. Press lightly between clean towels and reshape. Air dry flat or hang by the keychain ring. Do not tumble dry or bleach.
Size Customization Tips
For a larger jellyfish: Use worsted weight cotton with a US size G-6 (4.0 mm) hook. Add 2 to 3 increase rounds and 4 to 6 more straight rounds. Increase tentacle chains by 10 to 15 chains each.
For a micro jellyfish: Use size 10 crochet thread with a steel hook. Stop increases at 36 stitches, reduce straight rounds to 6, and use ch 21 for tentacles.
I hope you love making this sweet little jellyfish as much as I enjoyed designing it. These make wonderful last minute gifts, craft fair items, or just a fun afternoon project when you want to create something cheerful. Thank you so much for choosing this pattern!
If this jellyfish keychain caught your eye, go ahead and save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you are ready to start. And please drop a comment below if you make one. I would absolutely love to see your finished jellyfish and hear which colors you chose!
