Snake Keychain Free Crochet Pattern for Beginners
Liven up bags with this Free Crochet Snake Keychain Pattern while winding details and simple steps give key rings a fun and curious character.
Small accessories can bring a playful touch to things you carry every day. A curled crochet snake makes an unusual little companion for keys and bags, and the Free Crochet Snake Keychain Pattern offers a fun way to enjoy a reptile inspired design in miniature form.
The finished piece has a narrow, winding body that gives it a lively shape. Its tiny head, small eyes, and curved tail create a cute character without making it look too realistic. The stitches form a soft surface with a gentle handmade texture. Bright shades can give the snake a fun look, while earthy colors can make it feel closer to a real garden snake.
This pocket sized decoration is useful in several ways. Clip it onto a backpack before school, hang it from a purse, or place it on a pencil pouch or zipper. It can also stay with your keys so they are easier to spot. Since the piece is light and compact, carrying it around is simple. Its winding form is also a standout feature among ordinary charms.
Crochet Snake Keychain: Free Pattern Included

For another creative take on small animal projects, the Aichi why YouTube channel shares ideas that can inspire crochet fans. You can give each snake a different personality by changing its body color, eye shade, or length. A mix of bright and pastel tones could even turn several pieces into a cheerful little reptile group.
Those who enjoy miniature crochet may find this project especially enjoyable. Someone new to amigurumi can get familiar with shaping a small figure, while skilled makers can experiment with proportions and color combinations. The finished charm can also be a thoughtful present for a reptile lover, nature fan, child, or friend who likes unusual accessories.

A tiny snake may be an unexpected choice for a keychain, but that is part of its appeal. It brings humor and character to everyday belongings while also becoming a fun keepsake. Keep one for yourself, give one away, or build a collection of colorful little snakes for an extra playful touch.
Crochet Snake Keychain Pattern
Welcome to this detailed pattern for crocheting a charming snake keychain. This compact and colorful accessory is crafted using precise stitch increases and decreases to create a snake shape with a detailed head, textured nostrils, and realistic eyes. Alternating color stripes in the body add visual interest, and final touches like eyelids, a tongue, and bead eyes complete the look. Follow this step-by-step pattern to make an adorable snake keychain perfect for gifting or personal use.
Quick Overview Of Pattern
- Crochet the snake head using rows of single crochets (sc), with strategic stitch increases and special bobble stitches to form nostrils.
- Shape the body and tail by working rounds of sc with alternating colors every four rows while stuffing progressively.
- Decrease toward the tail tip for tapering.
- Make separate eyelids and sew on bead eyes with yarn highlights.
- Fold the body and attach beads internally to secure the shape.
- Add a small red tongue yarn piece for realism.
Notes
- Work with a small 2 mm hook and semi-cotton yarn for fine detail and firm stitches.
- Maintain consistent tension for an even fabric and smooth shaping.
- Stuff lightly but firmly to hold the snake's form without distorting the stitch fabric.
- Use beads safely secured with yarn for durable eyes.
- The color changes in the body are made every four rows for striping contrast.
- Eyelids and tongue are crafted separately and attached at the end.
Skill Level
Intermediate
This project requires familiarity with stitch increases, decreases, working with back loops, bobble stitches, color changes, and sewing with beads.
Materials
- Semi-cotton yarn, approx 160 m/50 g, in black and a contrasting color
- Crochet hook size 2 mm
- Small black beads (5 mm for eyes, 8 mm for body detail)
- Red yarn for tongue
- Fiberfill or stuffing material
- Tapestry needle for sewing beads and assembly
- Scissors
- Glue (optional, for bead security)
Measurements / Sizing (Approximate)
- Finished snake keychain length: Approx. 15-18 cm (6-7 inches)
- Head width: Approx. 3 cm (1.2 inches)
- Body width: Narrowing from head towards tail tip
Gauge
Due to the miniature size, gauge is flexible but stitches should be tight to sufficiently hold stuffing and maintain shape. For reference:
- Single crochet 20 stitches and 16 rows = 5 cm square (worked with 2 mm hook and semi-cotton yarn).
Stitch Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ch | Chain | Basic foundation loop stitch |
| sc | Single Crochet | Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both loops |
| dc | Double Crochet | Yarn over, insert hook, pull through two loops twice |
| inc | Increase | Two single crochets worked in one stitch |
| dec | Decrease | Single crochet decrease, joining two stitches |
| hc-dc bobble | Half double crochet bobble | Cluster of half double crochets forming a bobble |
| sl st | Slip Stitch | Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop |
Special Stitches
- Half double crochet (hdc) bobble stitch for nostrils: Clusters forming a raised bobble shape.
- Working in back loops: Creates texture by crocheting into only the back loop of stitches.
The Crochet Pattern!
Part 1: Head Construction
Row 1:
- Chain 4.
- In the 2nd chain from the hook, work an increase (2 sc in the stitch).
- Work 1 single crochet (sc) in the next chain.
- Work 3 single crochets (sc) in the last chain.
- Turn your work and work 2 single crochets (sc) along the opposite chain side to complete the round.

- Total stitches in this row: 8 sts.
Row 2:
- Work 2 increases (2 sc in one stitch) at the beginning.
- Work 1 single crochet (sc).
- Work 3 increases (2 sc in one stitch) consecutively.
- Work 1 single crochet (sc).
- End with 1 increase (2 sc in one stitch).
- Total: 14 stitches.
Row 3:
- Repeat the pattern (1 sc, increase) two times.
- Work 1 sc.
- Repeat (1 sc, increase) three times.
- Work 2 sc.
- End with 1 increase.
- Total stitches: 20.
Row 4:
- Work 19 single crochets (sc).
- Finish with 1 increase.
- Total: 21 stitches.
Row 5:
- Work 21 single crochets (sc) evenly.

Row 6 (Nostrils):
- Work 5 single crochets (sc).
- Work 2 double crochet bobble stitches (2 dc bobble) for the nostril.
- Work 3 single crochets (sc).
- Another 2 dc bobble cluster.
- Finish with single crochets to complete the row totaling 21 stitches.
Rows 7 and 8:
- Work 21 single crochets (sc) in each row for smooth head shaping.
Row 9 (Working in Back Loops):
- Work 4 sc in back loops.
- Work 1 increase in half double crochet (hdc inc).
- Work 6 increases in double crochet (dc inc), repeat 6 times.
- Work another hdc increase.
- Work 6 sc, followed by 1 sc increase and 2 sc to finish.
- Total stitches: 30.
Rows 10 to 13:
- Work 30 single crochets (sc) per row maintaining shape.
Row 14 (Decreasing):
- Work 6 single crochets (sc).
- Then perform a repeating sequence: (decrease (dec), 1 sc) four times.
- Work 6 sc.
- Perform 1 decrease (dec) and finish with 2 sc.
- Total stitches: 24.
Row 15:
- Work 24 single crochets (sc) evenly.
Row 16:
- Work repeating sequence of (2 sc, decrease) six times.
- Total stitches: 18.
Row 17:
- Work repeating (1 sc, decrease) six times.
- Total stitches: 12.

Part 2: Body and Tail
Rows 18 onwards:
- Continue with 12 single crochets (sc) per row.
- Change yarn color every 4 rows alternating between black and a contrasting color (e.g., green or red) to create stripes.
- Stuff the body gently as you go.
Tail Shaping:
- Work decreasing sequence (1 sc, decrease) repeated until only 8 stitches remain.
- Then, work several rows of 8 single crochets (sc) to elongate the tail.
- Finish with 4 decreases, tapering the tail tip gracefully.

Part 3: Finishing Touches
Eyelids:
- Chain 6.
- Row 1: Work 1 single crochet (sc) in 2nd chain from hook, then 4 sc across.
- Row 2: Chain 1, increase (2 sc in 1 stitch), 3 sc, increase.
- Row 3: Work 7 single crochets (sc) to complete eyelid.
- Sew eyelids onto the snake's head just above the nostrils.
Eyes:
- Add details with white yarn highlights using embroidery stitches around eyes for realism.
- Glue or sew 5 mm black beads securely onto the head for eyes.
Forming the Snake:
- Fold the snake body softly in an 'S' or spiral shape.
- Use black yarn to sew 8 mm black beads through the folds internally to hold the shape firmly.
Tongue:
- Cut a small piece of red yarn.
- Attach it to the nose using a crochet hook or by sewing.
- Let the tongue hang slightly for a lifelike effect.

Assembly & Finished Size
When completed, the snake keychain measures roughly 15 to 18 cm in length, perfectly sized for hanging on keys or bags. The lightweight construction with tight crochet stitches ensures durability. The subtle color changes, bobble nostrils, bead eyes, and red tongue create a charming and realistic miniature snake.
Conclusion and Ending Words
Thank you for following this comprehensive crochet snake keychain pattern. This project blends textured detail and shaping techniques to create an eye-catching accessory. The precise increases, color striping, and charming finishing touches challenge your skills for a rewarding outcome. Feel free to customize yarn colors and bead sizes to make your snake uniquely yours.
