
Easy Crochet Bell Flower Keychain 🌸 | Step-by-Step Beginner Tutorial | Cute Handmade Crochet Pattern
If you’ve been searching for a quick, satisfying crochet project that you can finish in an afternoon and gift to absolutely anyone, this bell flower keychain is about to become your new obsession. It’s small, it’s adorable, it’s functional, and it costs almost nothing to make. Whether you’re brand new to crochet or you’ve been hooking for years and just want something fun and fast, this tutorial walks you through every single step in plain, simple language.
Let’s dive in.
Why You’ll Love This Bell Flower Keychain Pattern
There’s something magical about a crochet project that fits in the palm of your hand. This bell flower keychain is one of those projects. The finished flower has a soft, three-dimensional shape — like a little tulip or an old-fashioned bell — that gives it a uniquely elegant look despite being incredibly straightforward to make.
Here’s why crafters keep coming back to this pattern:
It works up fast. Most people finish their first one in about 45 minutes to an hour. Once you know the rhythm, you can knock one out in 20 to 30 minutes. That makes it perfect for holiday gifting, craft fairs, or just stocking up on cute bag charms for friends.
It uses very little yarn. We’re talking scraps. If you have any leftover yarn from other projects, this is your sign to dig through your stash. You only need about 15 to 25 yards of main color yarn, which means you can make a dozen keychains from a single skein of DK or worsted weight yarn.
It’s genuinely beginner-friendly. The stitches used are chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet. If those terms sound overwhelming, don’t worry — each one is explained in detail below. You do not need to know any special techniques.
It’s endlessly customizable. Change the color, add a bead to the center, switch up the yarn weight, make a whole bouquet. Once you understand the basic structure, you can experiment to your heart’s content.
What You’ll Need
Before we get into the pattern itself, let’s gather your supplies. The beauty of this project is how minimal the list is.
Yarn: Worsted weight or DK weight yarn works beautifully for this pattern. Choose any color you love. Soft pastels like blush, lavender, and mint look stunning, but bright pops of coral, yellow, or red are equally gorgeous. You’ll want about 20 yards of your main color for the flower and a small amount of a contrasting color for the center if you choose to add one.
Crochet Hook: A size 3.5mm to 5mm hook works well depending on your yarn weight. If you’re using worsted weight, a 4mm or 4.5mm hook is a great starting point. If you’re using DK weight, try a 3.75mm hook. Always check your tension — you want the stitches to be snug enough that they hold their shape, but not so tight that the flower feels stiff.
Scissors: Any scissors for cutting yarn.
Yarn Needle / Tapestry Needle: You’ll need this to weave in your ends neatly at the end.
Keychain Ring: A simple split ring or lobster clasp ring from a craft store or online. These usually come in bulk packs and cost very little.
Optional Extras: Stitch markers, a small button or bead for the flower center, craft wire if you want to give the petals more structure, and a small amount of fiberfill if you want to lightly stuff the bell shape.
Stitch Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
For those who are new to reading crochet patterns, here’s a quick glossary. American crochet terms are used throughout this tutorial.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet (also called triple crochet)
MR — magic ring (also called magic loop or adjustable ring)
st — stitch
rep — repeat
( ) — work all stitches inside the parentheses into the same stitch
Understanding the Bell Flower Shape
Before you start crocheting, it helps to picture what you’re making and why the pattern is written the way it is. The bell flower keychain has two main parts: a base that forms the bottom of the bell, and petals that curl up and outward to create that beautiful flower shape.
The base is worked in the round, starting from a magic ring. This creates a small, flat circle that becomes the bottom of the flower. Then the petals are worked directly from that base, each one shaped by a combination of taller stitches (like double crochet and treble crochet) at the peak and shorter stitches (like single crochet and half double crochet) on the sides. This height variation is what gives each petal its natural, rounded curve.
The genius of this shape is that gravity does some of the work for you. When the keychain hangs, the petals naturally fold downward and outward, giving you that lovely bell or tulip silhouette.
The Pattern: Step-by-Step
Part One: The Base
Step 1: Make a magic ring. If you’re not comfortable with a magic ring yet, you can substitute it by chaining 4 and joining with a slip stitch to form a small ring. The magic ring simply gives you a tighter, neater center.
Step 2: Chain 1. This counts as your first single crochet stitch of the round.
Step 3: Work 5 single crochet stitches into the ring. Pull the magic ring closed gently so you have 6 stitches total (the chain 1 counts as your first sc).
Wait — for a cleaner result, many crocheters prefer not to count the chain 1 as a stitch. If that’s you, work 6 single crochet directly into the ring instead, then pull the ring closed and join with a slip stitch to your first sc. Either approach works.
Step 4: Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet to close Round 1. You should have a small, snug circle with 6 single crochet stitches.
Step 5: Chain 1. Now work 2 single crochet into every stitch around. This is called an increase round. At the end, you should have 12 stitches. Join with a slip stitch.
Step 6: Chain 1. This round alternates between increases and single stitches: work 2 sc in the first stitch, then 1 sc in the next stitch. Repeat that sequence all the way around. You’ll end with 18 stitches. Join with a slip stitch.
This three-round base gives you a small, slightly domed circle that will sit at the bottom of your bell flower. It should be about an inch to an inch and a quarter in diameter depending on your yarn and hook size.
Fasten off and leave a 6-inch tail. You’ll use this tail later when attaching the keychain ring.
Part Two: The Petals
Now for the fun part. The petals are worked in 5 groups, evenly spaced around the edge of your base. You’ll pick up new yarn at the outer edge and work each petal separately.
Setting up: Count the 18 stitches along the outer edge of your base. You’ll be working into every third stitch to create 5 petal anchor points (if your math feels slightly off, that’s okay — just space them as evenly as possible).
Step 1: Join your yarn with a slip stitch into any stitch on the outer edge.
Step 2: Now work the following sequence into that same stitch, then the next two stitches, then back again — this forms one petal:
Into the first anchor stitch: work 1 sc.
Into the next stitch: work 1 hdc and 1 dc.
Into the next stitch: work 2 tr (these are your tallest stitches and form the tip of the petal).
Into the next stitch: work 1 dc and 1 hdc.
Into the next stitch: work 1 sc.
Then slip stitch into the following stitch to move to your next petal anchor point.
You’ve just made one petal! It should have a beautiful rounded arch that peaks in the middle.
Step 3: Repeat the petal sequence 4 more times, for a total of 5 petals. Each time, slip stitch between petals to keep everything tidy and to position yourself for the next one.
Step 4: After the fifth petal, slip stitch to your starting stitch to close the round. Fasten off and weave in your ends.
If your petals are curling inward more than you’d like, block the flower gently by misting it with water, shaping the petals with your fingers, and letting it dry flat. This also works if you want more pronounced, open petals.
Part Three: The Stem and Keychain Attachment
This step connects your beautiful flower to its keychain ring.
Step 1: Thread your yarn needle with a length of yarn (about 12 inches). Thread the yarn through the center bottom of the flower, pulling it through so you have equal tails on both sides.
Step 2: Take both tails together and thread them through the keychain ring.
Step 3: Loop the tails back down through the center of the flower base, pulling snugly so the ring sits flush against the top of the flower.
Step 4: Tie the tails together in a secure knot, then thread the ends back through the base with your yarn needle to hide them. Trim any excess.
Alternatively, if you prefer a longer stem look, you can crochet a short chain (about 10 to 15 stitches), work a row of slip stitches back along the chain to create a firm cord, and attach the keychain ring to one end and the flower to the other. This gives a lovely dangly charm effect.
Tips for Making Your Bell Flower Keychain Even More Beautiful
Color combinations: Ombre effects look absolutely dreamy on these flowers. Try holding two strands of slightly different shades together, or switch colors between rounds. You can also make each petal a different color for a rainbow flower effect.
Adding a stamens detail: Take a few lengths of yellow or gold yarn, fold them in half, and loop them through the center of the flower before closing off the base. Trim to about half an inch. These little tufts mimic the stamens of a real flower and add a gorgeous botanical touch.
Using cotton yarn: If you want a crisper, firmer flower, try using cotton yarn instead of acrylic or wool. Cotton holds its shape beautifully and gives the petals a slightly stiffer structure that works really well for keychains since they get handled a lot.
Making a bouquet: String three or four of these flowers together on a single keychain ring for a full bouquet effect. Alternate colors and vary the sizes slightly by using different hook sizes. These make incredible gifts and are genuinely show-stopping at craft markets.
Stiffening the flower: If you want your flower to hold a very precise shape, you can lightly stiffen it with a solution of equal parts white school glue and water. Dip the finished flower, shape it with your fingers, and let it dry on a piece of wax paper. The result is a firm, structured flower that will hold up beautifully over time.
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
My petals are uneven. What went wrong?
This is very common for first-time makers and is usually a tension issue. If some stitches are looser than others, the petals will look inconsistent. Try to keep an even tension throughout, and don’t be discouraged — it takes a few attempts to find your rhythm. Also double-check that you’re placing your tall stitches (treble crochet) in the center of each petal, not at the sides.
The flower won’t lay flat.
Check that your base was worked loosely enough. If the base is too tight, it will cup upward, which can actually look intentional and beautiful — but if you want it flat, try a larger hook for the base rounds. Also, blocking with water and pinning will help significantly.
I can’t get the magic ring to work.
You’re not alone — the magic ring trips up a lot of beginners. Just chain 4, slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring, and work your starting stitches into that ring. It gives a slightly larger center hole, but once you close the round and weave in the tail, it won’t be noticeable on something as small as a keychain.
How do I attach the keychain ring more securely?
If you’re worried about durability, especially if this is for daily use, add a small dot of fabric glue or clear-drying craft glue to the knot before weaving in the ends. This adds extra security without any visible change to the finished piece.
Gifting Ideas for Your Bell Flower Keychains
These little flowers are one of the most versatile handmade gifts you can make. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination.
Attach one to a set of house keys for a housewarming gift. Tuck a few inside a birthday card. Make a set in school colors for a graduate. Create them in holiday colors — deep red and forest green for Christmas, pastel yellow and lavender for Easter — and include them in gift bags. Sell them at craft fairs bundled in sets of three. Give them to bridesmaids in the wedding color palette. Make matching ones for a parent and child using coordinating colors.
They also work beautifully as bag charms, zipper pulls on backpacks and pouches, and decorative tags on handmade gifts like jars of jam or baked goods.
A Few Words About Yarn Choices
While you can technically use any yarn for this pattern, some fibers work better than others for keychains specifically. The keychain will get a lot of handling, so you want something that’s going to hold up to friction and daily use.
Acrylic yarn is probably the most practical choice. It’s durable, colorfast, machine washable, and comes in every color imaginable. It’s also the most affordable option. Brands like Lion Brand, Red Heart, and Caron all have acrylic yarns that work beautifully for this project.
Cotton yarn, as mentioned earlier, gives a crisper look and is also very durable. It tends to be slightly less stretchy than acrylic, so your tension might need a little adjustment.
Wool yarn is gorgeous but more delicate — especially if it’s a superwash variety. If you use wool, consider spraying the finished keychain with a light fabric protector to extend its life.
Avoid anything fuzzy or textured (like mohair or bouclé) for your first attempt. The stitches won’t be visible enough to tell if you’re making mistakes, and the petal definition won’t show up well. Save the fancy yarn for when you’re confident in the structure.
You’ve Got This
One of the best things about starting with a project this small is that the stakes feel low. If it doesn’t come out the way you hoped on the first try, you’ve only spent an hour and a tiny bit of yarn. But here’s what most people find: the first one comes out better than expected, and by the third or fourth flower, they’re completely hooked (pun absolutely intended).
Crochet is one of those crafts that rewards patience and repetition. Every stitch you make teaches your hands something new. And there’s something deeply satisfying about turning a simple strand of yarn into something three-dimensional, colorful, and actually useful — something someone can carry around and see every day.
Start with whatever yarn you already have. Use the hook that feels comfortable in your hand. Don’t worry too much about perfection on your first try. Just enjoy the process of making something beautiful from scratch.
When you’re done, share your finished flower somewhere — in a crochet community online, with a friend, on social media. You made that. From nothing but yarn and a hook. That deserves to be celebrated.
Happy crocheting! 🌸