Crochet Lavender Keychain | Easy Beginner Tutorial

There is something deeply satisfying about making something small, beautiful, and useful all at once. A crochet lavender keychain checks every one of those boxes. It is the kind of project that takes an afternoon, costs almost nothing, and produces a little handmade treasure you will want to make in a dozen different colors. Whether you are brand new to crochet or returning after a long break, this tutorial will walk you through every step clearly and kindly, so you can finish your keychain feeling proud and ready to make another one.

Lavender keychains have become one of the most beloved beginner crochet projects for good reason. They are small enough that mistakes are easy to spot and fix, they use just a tiny bit of yarn, and the finished result looks far more impressive than the skill level it requires. Many crochet lovers also fill their lavender keychains with dried lavender flowers, turning a simple decorative piece into a fragrant little charm that smells wonderful hanging from a bag or set of keys.

Before we get into the tutorial itself, let us talk about everything you will need to gather and why this project is such a wonderful starting point for anyone learning to crochet.

Why a Lavender Keychain Is the Perfect First Crochet Project

When you are learning to crochet, the size of your project matters enormously. Large projects like blankets or sweaters require you to maintain consistent tension and stitch count over hundreds of rows, which can feel overwhelming when you are still getting comfortable holding the hook. Small projects like keychains and appliqués let you practice the exact same stitches in a contained, forgiving space.

A lavender keychain is typically worked in the round, which means you will learn one of the most fundamental skills in crochet — the magic ring and working in continuous rounds — without having to commit to a long, complex pattern. The shape is a simple tube or oval, finished off with a little gathered petal effect at the top to mimic the look of a real lavender stem. The whole thing usually takes between 30 minutes and two hours depending on your pace, and once you have made it once, the second one takes half the time.

Beyond the skill-building aspect, there is real joy in making something that looks like a natural, botanical object. Lavender has such a recognizable, elegant silhouette, and when you hold up your finished keychain and see that it genuinely resembles a bundle of lavender, there is a rush of creative satisfaction that keeps crochet lovers hooked for a lifetime.

Materials You Will Need

One of the best things about this project is that the supply list is short and inexpensive. Here is everything you need to gather before you start.

Yarn. You will want a small amount of worsted weight or DK weight yarn in purple or lavender. This project uses so little yarn that it is a perfect stash buster — even a leftover scrap from another project will likely be enough. You will also want a small amount of green yarn for the stem. If you want a more realistic lavender look, choose a muted purple or violet rather than a bright, saturated one, though any shade you love will work beautifully.

Crochet hook. A size 3.5mm to 5mm hook pairs well with worsted or DK weight yarn for this project. If you are using a thinner yarn, go down in hook size accordingly. The pattern is not strict about gauge because the keychain is decorative rather than wearable, so a little variation in size is perfectly fine.

Keychain ring or split ring. You can find these at any craft store, dollar store, or online. A simple 25mm split ring works well and gives the keychain a clean, finished look.

Stuffing. A small amount of polyfill stuffing is used to give the lavender bud its shape. Alternatively, you can fill the bud with dried lavender flowers instead of or in addition to the polyfill for that lovely scent. This is entirely optional but highly recommended if you want your keychain to double as a little aromatherapy charm.

Dried lavender flowers. These are optional but make the keychain genuinely fragrant. You can find them at craft stores, herbal shops, or online. Even a teaspoon of dried lavender tucked inside makes the keychain smell beautifully for months.

Yarn needle. You will need this to weave in your ends at the finish.

Scissors. For cutting your yarn.

Stitch marker. A small locking stitch marker or even a piece of contrasting yarn helps you keep track of the beginning of each round when you are working in continuous rounds.

Understanding the Basic Stitches

Before we begin, let us make sure you are comfortable with the stitches this pattern uses. Even if you are a complete beginner, these are the building blocks of nearly all crochet, and mastering them here will serve you in every project you make going forward.

Chain stitch (ch). The chain stitch is the foundation of crochet. You make a slip knot, place it on your hook, yarn over, and pull through the loop on your hook. That is one chain stitch. It looks like a series of little V shapes when laid flat.

Slip stitch (sl st). The slip stitch is the shallowest stitch in crochet. You insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over, and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion. It is often used to join rounds or to move your yarn to a new position without adding height.

Single crochet (sc). This is the workhorse stitch of beginner crochet and the main stitch used in this pattern. Insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop so you have two loops on your hook, then yarn over again and pull through both loops. That is one single crochet.

Magic ring (also called a magic circle). This technique lets you start crocheting in the round without leaving a hole in the center of your work. It sounds intimidating but becomes second nature quickly. Make a loop with your yarn, leaving a tail, then insert your hook through the loop, yarn over, and pull up a working loop. Chain one (or the required number for your stitch), then work your first round of stitches into the ring. When you pull the tail end, the ring closes tightly.

If the magic ring feels too tricky at first, you can substitute it by chaining two and working your first round into the second chain from the hook. The result will have a slightly more visible center hole, but it works perfectly well.

Pattern Instructions

Now let us crochet. Read through the full instructions once before you begin so you have a sense of where the pattern is going, then work step by step.

Abbreviations used:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
MR = magic ring
st = stitch
rnd = round

Part One: The Lavender Bud

Using your purple or lavender yarn, make a magic ring.

Round 1. Work 6 single crochets into the magic ring. Pull the tail to close the ring tightly. Place your stitch marker in the first stitch of the round. You will move this marker up with each round to keep track of where your round begins. (6 stitches)

Round 2. Work 2 single crochets in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 3. Single crochet in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 4. Single crochet in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 5. Single crochet in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 6. Single crochet in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

You should now have a little tube shape forming. This is the body of the lavender bud. Depending on how long you want your bud to look, you can add one or two more rounds of single crochet here before moving on.

Stuffing. Now is the time to add your stuffing or dried lavender. Use a small pinch of polyfill, a teaspoon of dried lavender, or a combination of both. The bud should feel lightly firm but not stretched. You want enough filling to give it a nice rounded shape.

Round 7 (decrease round). To close the bud, work a decrease round. Single crochet two together (sc2tog) around: insert your hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop, then insert your hook into the following stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all three loops. This reduces your stitch count by half. (6 stitches)

Pull the yarn through the remaining stitches to close the top completely, or continue working sc2tog until you can gather the opening and pull it shut. Leave a tail for finishing and use your yarn needle to weave it through the remaining stitches and pull closed. Secure and weave in the end.

Part Two: The Petal Texture (Optional but Beautiful)

If you want your lavender bud to have a more textured, realistic look, you can add small petal details around the outside of the bud before or after stuffing. Using your purple yarn, attach it at any point along the body of the bud and work small clusters of stitches in a spiral pattern around the outside.

For each petal: chain 3, then single crochet back into the base of that chain, then slip stitch into the next stitch of the bud to anchor it and move along. Repeat this around the bud to create a series of small raised bumps or petals that echo the look of real lavender flowers. This step is entirely optional and does not affect the structure of the keychain, but it adds a lovely handmade detail that makes the finished piece look more like a real lavender sprig.

Part Three: The Stem

Using your green yarn, attach it at the base of the lavender bud with a slip stitch or by sewing it on securely with a yarn needle.

Foundation chain. Chain 10 to 15 stitches, depending on how long you want your stem to be. A longer stem gives the keychain an elegant, drooping feel. A shorter stem looks neat and compact. There is no wrong choice here.

Stem body. Single crochet back along the chain, working one single crochet into each chain stitch. When you reach the base of the bud, slip stitch to secure and fasten off. Weave in the end.

If you want the stem to have a little more dimension, you can work a second row of single crochets back along the stem in the other direction, which creates a slightly thicker, more rounded stem. Alternatively, you can make the stem as a crochet tube by working in continuous rounds instead of rows, which produces a beautiful rounded result.

Part Four: The Keychain Loop

There are a few ways to attach your lavender keychain to a keychain ring, and all of them work well.

The simplest method is to use a small piece of green yarn or a length of chain stitches to create a loop at the top of the stem, thread your keychain ring through the loop, and secure it tightly with a slip stitch. Make sure to knot and weave in your ends very securely here, since this is the point that will bear the most stress when the keychain is in use.

Alternatively, you can sew the keychain ring directly onto the top of the stem using your yarn needle and a few wraps of yarn, knotting it off on the inside of the stem. This gives a very clean finish.

A third option is to leave a tail of green yarn at the top of the stem long enough to thread through the keychain ring and tie in a secure double knot. Trim the ends neatly and tuck them inside the stem.

Finishing Touches

Once your keychain is assembled, go back and weave in any remaining yarn ends using your yarn needle. Tug gently on the finished piece to make sure everything is secure. If anything feels loose, reinforce it with a few extra stitches using your yarn needle.

If you used dried lavender inside the bud, the scent will be subtle at first and will bloom when the keychain is handled or when you give it a gentle squeeze. Over time, you can refresh the scent by adding a drop of lavender essential oil directly to the stuffing through the stitches of the bud. This works surprisingly well and extends the life of the fragrance for a long time.

Tips for Beginners

Keep your tension even. One of the most common challenges for new crocheters is inconsistent tension — sometimes stitching too tightly, sometimes too loosely. Try to keep a relaxed, steady grip on your yarn and hook. For a small project like this, minor tension variations are almost invisible in the finished piece, so do not stress too much.

Use stitch markers generously. When you are working in continuous rounds, it is very easy to lose track of where your round begins and ends. A stitch marker placed at the first stitch of each round will save you from having to count back and start over.

Do not worry about perfection. Crochet is a handmade craft, and slight irregularities are part of its charm. A bud that is slightly uneven or a stem that curves a little to the left is not a mistake — it is character. Real lavender is not perfectly symmetrical either.

Make a swatch if you are unsure. Because this pattern is not gauge-dependent, you do not need a formal swatch, but if you are not sure how your yarn and hook will look together, work a few rows of single crochet on a small test piece before you begin the keychain. This gets your hands warmed up and your tension settled.

Try different yarn weights. Once you have made the keychain once, try it in a fingering weight yarn with a 2mm hook for a delicate, miniature version, or in bulky yarn with a 6mm hook for a chunky, bold charm. The pattern scales beautifully.

Gift Ideas and Variations

This lavender keychain is one of those rare crafts that is as enjoyable to give as it is to make. A set of three or four in slightly different shades of purple, tied together with a ribbon, makes a lovely handmade gift for a birthday, housewarming, or just because. Tuck them into a small muslin bag with a note about the dried lavender inside, and you have a gift that feels genuinely thoughtful and personal.

You can also customize the keychain by changing the color palette entirely. A pink version with a cream stem becomes a rose charm. A pale blue version becomes a wisteria. White on white becomes a cotton blossom. The simple tube and gathered-top structure works for any small floral shape you can imagine.

For the holidays, make a small batch in deep purple and silver, add a little jingle bell to the keychain ring, and you have a festive ornament that doubles as a bag charm. Gifted in a little cello bag with a handwritten tag, they are the kind of small handmade thing people genuinely treasure.

Caring for Your Lavender Keychain

Since this keychain is made with yarn and may be filled with dried botanicals, it should be spot cleaned rather than fully washed. If the outside of the bud gets dusty or dirty, use a barely damp cloth to gently wipe the surface, then let it air dry completely before using it again.

If your keychain is used as a bag charm, it will naturally get a little wear over time. The yarn may pill slightly with regular friction, which is normal. A quick pass with a sweater shaver or lint roller can keep it looking tidy.

If the dried lavender inside starts to lose its scent, do not throw the keychain away. As mentioned earlier, a drop of lavender essential oil refreshes the fragrance beautifully, and the keychain itself can last for years with gentle care.

A Note on the Joy of Making Small Things

There is a philosophy in handcraft communities that small projects are just as worthy of time and care as large, ambitious ones. A lavender keychain takes an hour. It uses a scrap of yarn. It lives on a set of keys or the strap of a bag, seen by the person who made it every single day. That daily contact with something you made yourself is a quiet source of joy that is hard to describe to someone who has never crocheted, but immediately recognizable to everyone who has.

This tutorial is a beginning, but it does not have to stay small. The skills you use here — the magic ring, single crochet, working in the round, increasing and decreasing, finishing and weaving in ends — are the same skills that build into every other crochet pattern you might ever want to try. Amigurumi animals, crochet baskets, granny square blankets, hats, and bags all use these same foundations. By finishing this keychain, you have genuinely started something.

Make one for yourself. Make one for a friend. Make one on a lazy Sunday afternoon just to see how quickly it comes together. Then keep going.