Lavender Purple Jellyfish Keychain Free Crochet Pattern

There is something undeniably magical about a tiny crocheted jellyfish dangling from your keys, your bag, or the zipper of your favorite hoodie. These little ocean creatures translate beautifully into crochet form — their rounded bells, flowing tentacles, and dreamy pastel colors make them one of the most satisfying small projects you can pick up. This free crochet pattern walks you through making a lavender purple jellyfish keychain from start to finish, whether you are a beginner looking for your first amigurumi-style project or an experienced crafter searching for a quick and charming make.

Lavender is one of those colors that feels both calming and whimsical at the same time. When you translate it into yarn and stitch it into a jellyfish shape, something wonderful happens — you end up with a tiny keepsake that looks like it drifted in straight from a midnight ocean. This pattern is completely free to use for personal projects and small handmade business sales alike, so grab your hook and a bit of yarn, because we are diving in.

What Makes This Pattern Special

Unlike larger amigurumi or full crochet toys, a jellyfish keychain is small enough to finish in one sitting. Most crafters complete the entire project in one to two hours, which makes it an ideal project for beginners who want a sense of accomplishment quickly, or for experienced crocheters who want to batch-make a set for gifts or markets.

The jellyfish design used in this pattern features a dome-shaped bell, ruffled tentacle layers, and a simple stuffed body that holds its shape beautifully. The lavender purple color palette gives it an ethereal, sea-glass quality. You can make it in a single shade of lavender, or blend two tones — a deeper plum and a soft lilac — for a gradient effect that looks absolutely stunning as a hanging keychain.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin, gather everything so you can crochet without interruption. Here is what you need for one lavender purple jellyfish keychain.

Yarn: You will want a fingering weight or sport weight yarn in lavender purple. DK weight works as well if you want a slightly larger jellyfish. Good color choices include light lavender, dusty purple, lilac, or mauve. Brands like Lion Brand Pound of Love, Paintbox Simply DK, Scheepjes Catona, and Red Heart Soft all carry beautiful purple tones that suit this project well. You only need a small amount — a single skein will make many keychains, so this is also a great stash-buster project.

Hook: A 2.5mm to 3.5mm crochet hook depending on your yarn weight. For fingering weight, use a 2.5mm or 3mm hook. For DK weight, a 3.5mm hook works nicely. You want your stitches tight enough that the stuffing does not show through.

Safety eyes: Two 6mm black safety eyes. If you are making this for a small child, embroider the eyes with black thread instead, since safety eyes can be a choking hazard.

Stuffing: A small amount of polyester fiberfill stuffing.

Keychain hardware: A split ring keychain finding, which you can find at any craft store or online. You will also want a short length of chain or a lobster clasp if you prefer a more finished look.

Scissors and tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and assembling the finished pieces.

Stitch markers: Optional but helpful for marking the beginning of each round.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

This pattern uses standard US crochet abbreviations.

MR — Magic ring (also called magic circle)
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
hdc — Half double crochet
dc — Double crochet
inc — Increase (two single crochets worked into the same stitch)
dec — Decrease (invisible decrease worked across two stitches)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
st — Stitch
rnd — Round

If you are unfamiliar with the magic ring, it is a technique used to begin crocheting in the round without leaving a hole in the center. There are many excellent video tutorials available online if you need a visual guide before starting.

Pattern: Jellyfish Bell (Top Dome)

The bell is the rounded top part of your jellyfish. It is worked in continuous rounds from the top down.

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the ring closed. (6 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: *Sc 1, inc* repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 4: *Sc 2, inc* repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 5: *Sc 3, inc* repeat around. (30 sts)

Round 6: *Sc 4, inc* repeat around. (36 sts)

Rounds 7–10: Sc in each st around. (36 sts per round — 4 rounds)

At the end of Round 10, insert your safety eyes between Rounds 5 and 6, approximately 6 to 8 stitches apart. This is the time to add them before you close up the bell. If you want the jellyfish to have a sweet, friendly face, you can also embroider a small smile with black thread at this stage.

Round 11: *Sc 4, dec* repeat around. (30 sts)

Round 12: *Sc 3, dec* repeat around. (24 sts)

Begin stuffing the bell now with a small amount of fiberfill. You want it to feel firm but not stretched — the dome should hold a nice rounded shape without puffing out at the sides.

Round 13: *Sc 2, dec* repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 14: *Sc 1, dec* repeat around. (12 sts)

Finish stuffing if needed, then continue.

Round 15: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Use your tapestry needle to close the remaining hole by weaving through the front loops of the 6 remaining stitches and pulling tight. Weave in the end securely.

Pattern: Ruffle Tentacle Layer

The tentacle layer is one of the most charming parts of this jellyfish. It is worked separately and then attached to the bottom edge of the bell. The ruffle effect comes from working into the front loops of the foundation ring.

For the tentacle base ring:

Foundation: Chain 36. Slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: Sc in each ch around. (36 sts)

Round 2 (FLO ruffle): Working in front loops only: *ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st in next st of base ring* repeat around.

This creates a series of pointed ruffle spokes that radiate around the ring. You can make more or fewer repeats depending on how full you want the ruffle layer to look. Some crafters prefer a second, slightly smaller ruffle layer worked below the first for extra drama — simply work another round of the same ruffle pattern into the back loops of Round 1 for a layered effect.

Once the ruffle layer is finished, set it aside. You will sew it to the bottom opening of the bell in the assembly step.

Pattern: Long Hanging Tentacles

These are the dangling tentacles that make the jellyfish look like it is floating through water. You will make six to eight of them depending on how full you want the finished keychain to look.

For each tentacle:

Foundation: Chain 15 to 20, depending on your preferred length. Shorter chains create stubbier tentacles; longer chains give a more flowing, dramatic look.

Row 1: Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch back to the beginning. Do not turn.

Finishing: Sl st into the starting chain end. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

You can make all tentacles the same length, or vary them — a mix of short and long tentacles creates a more dynamic, natural-looking jellyfish.

For an extra-curly tentacle variation, try this: instead of single crochet back along the chain, work 2 sc in each chain. The extra stitches force the piece to curl naturally, and the effect is absolutely delightful.

Assembly

This is where your jellyfish comes together, and it is genuinely one of the most satisfying steps.

Start by attaching the ruffle tentacle layer to the bottom edge of the bell. Use a tapestry needle and a length of matching lavender yarn. Align the ruffle ring with the bottom opening of the bell and whip stitch around the entire circumference, pulling the thread snug as you go. The ruffle should sit flat against the underside of the dome like a skirt.

Next, attach your long hanging tentacles. Thread each tentacle tail onto your tapestry needle and draw it up through the center of the ruffle layer and into the base of the bell. Space them evenly around the center opening. You can arrange them in a circle for a symmetrical look, or cluster them slightly toward the center for a more organic feel. Once all tentacles are attached, weave in all remaining ends very securely — keychains go through a lot of handling, and you want everything to hold.

Finally, attach the keychain hardware. The easiest method is to cut a short length of chain (about four to six links), thread it through the top of the jellyfish bell using your tapestry needle and a doubled length of yarn, and secure the split ring finding to the end of the chain. Alternatively, you can crochet a small loop directly into the top of the bell during the finishing round — simply chain 10, slip stitch back to the top of the bell to form a loop, and attach your keychain ring through that loop.

Color Variations and Customization Ideas

Once you have the basic pattern down, the possibilities for personalization are endless. Here are some ideas to inspire your next batch.

Ombre lavender: Start with a deep violet or plum at the top of the bell and transition to pale lilac by the time you reach the tentacle layer. You can achieve this by changing yarn color every two rounds, or by using a self-striping gradient yarn.

Glitter lavender: Add a strand of silver or lavender metallic thread held together with your main yarn for an iridescent shimmer effect. This looks spectacular for keychains destined to be holiday gifts.

Pastel rainbow tentacles: Use the base lavender bell but make each hanging tentacle in a different pastel color — soft pink, mint green, baby blue, pale yellow — for a playful, cheerful variation.

Glow in the dark: Some specialty yarns contain glow-in-the-dark fibers. A jellyfish keychain made with this yarn is a wonderful conversation piece and looks amazing at night.

Tiny bead details: Sew small seed beads along the tentacles or around the bottom edge of the bell to mimic the bioluminescent spots real jellyfish have.

Tips for a Perfect Finish

A few small adjustments can make a significant difference in how polished your finished jellyfish looks.

Work tightly throughout the bell section. If your tension is too loose, the stuffing will show through the stitches and the finished piece will look airy in the wrong way. Go down a hook size if needed.

Use the invisible decrease technique rather than standard sc2tog for a smoother finished surface with fewer holes. To do an invisible decrease, insert your hook into the front loop of the first stitch, then the front loop of the second stitch, and draw up a loop through both at once before completing the single crochet as normal.

When stuffing, add a very small amount at a time and keep checking the shape. It is easy to over-stuff a small piece like this and distort the dome shape.

Weave in ends thoroughly and in multiple directions. Since a keychain is handled daily, you want every end buried deeply into the interior of the piece. A drop of fabric glue applied to the knot before you trim the tail adds extra security.

If you plan to sell your jellyfish keychains at a craft market or online, consider including a small tag with care instructions. These pieces should be spot cleaned only and kept away from moisture for the best longevity.

Gifting and Selling Ideas

This lavender purple jellyfish keychain is one of those projects that people immediately want to give away. It is the right size to tuck into a birthday card, small enough to stash in a gift bag, and charming enough to feel genuinely special. Here are a few ways to share the love.

Make a set of three or five keychains in coordinating lavender shades and bundle them together with a ribbon as a party favor or baby shower gift. Pair one with a handmade bookmark or a small crocheted coin purse for a thoughtful handmade gift set.

For craft market sales, these keychains display beautifully on a pegboard or hung from a small wooden dowel. Price them relative to your material costs and time — even a fast maker invests at least an hour per piece, and handmade goods deserve fair pricing.

You are welcome to sell items made from this free pattern in small quantities. Please credit the pattern when sharing finished photos online, and do not resell or republish the written pattern itself as your own.

A Few Words About Crochet as a Creative Practice

There is something deeply satisfying about taking a small length of yarn and a simple hook and turning them into something three-dimensional and whimsical. Keychains and small amigurumi are wonderful entry points into crochet precisely because they give you a finished object quickly, which is enormously motivating when you are first learning. Every jellyfish you make will be slightly different from the last — a little tighter, a little fuller, with tentacles arranged in a new way — and that variation is part of what makes handmade things so lovely.

If you are new to crochet and this pattern feels a little overwhelming at first, start with just the bell section. Getting comfortable working in the round and increasing evenly is the foundational skill you need, and the jellyfish bell is an excellent small project for practicing exactly that. Once the dome clicks, the rest of the pattern will follow naturally.

Final Thoughts

This lavender purple jellyfish keychain free crochet pattern is the kind of project that earns a permanent spot in your favorites folder. It is quick, it is satisfying, it uses up yarn scraps beautifully, and the finished result is genuinely enchanting. Whether you are making one for yourself, gifting a set to friends, or filling a basket for your next market table, these tiny ocean creatures are sure to bring smiles wherever they go.

Save this pattern, share it with a friend who crochets, and tag your finished makes so the community can admire them. Happy crocheting, and may your tentacles always curl in exactly the right direction.