Project introduction
This tiny apple keychain is a fast, cheerful crochet project that suits the back-to-school season. It works as a keychain, a backpack zipper charm, or a small gift for a returning homeroom teacher. The original pattern comes from Spin a Yarn Crochet, and the web version is free to follow. The design belongs to the same family as the designer’s Ragdoll patterns: separate pieces are worked in flat rows and then joined, which gives the finished apple its distinctive two-dimensional look. You can easily whip this little guy up in a couple of hours.
The whole project uses four separate pieces. There are two red body panels, one brown stem panel, and one green leaf panel. The finished apple measures approximately 7.5 cm (3 inches) high and 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) wide. Because the stem and leaf are small, the designer chose to work each of them as a single layer.
If you make a worsted weight version, or a Bernat Blanket version, you may want to add a second panel to the stem and the leaf and crochet around them so they become double-layered. That change would bring the separate piece count from four to six.
A jumbo-sized version is also suggested as an option, so the same construction idea can be scaled up if you prefer a larger apple. The face is added to the front panel before the body panels are joined, which keeps the features centered and easy to place. Assembly then moves around the outside edge, with the stem and leaf sewn between the panels partway through the border. A keyring is attached at the end, either at the top corner of the apple or at the tip of the stem.
For the complete row-by-row instructions and any updates, see the original designer’s pattern.
Pattern format and preparation
The pattern is available as a free web version. If you prefer a printable copy, an inexpensive, formatted, and ad-free PDF can be purchased. The PDF is a paid product offered for convenience and offline access, while the online version remains free. Note that the source explicitly states you may make and sell products from the patterns but asks that you link back to the post.
Gather these supplies before you begin:
- 2.25 mm hook
- Red light weight yarn
- Brown light weight yarn
- Green light weight yarn
- Pink light weight yarn for cheeks
- Black crochet thread for mouth
- 8 mm safety eyes
- Keyring
- Stuffing
- Tapestry needle
The designer used a generic cotton yarn from a local store. The label called it worsted weight, but in the designer’s opinion it was nowhere near worsted weight and was closer to a category 3 light weight yarn. That particular yarn was not seen in big box stores, but any category 3 light weight yarn is said to work well. The pattern notes that you chain 1 and turn at the end of each row.
The body panels are worked in red, the stem panel in brown, and the leaf panel in green. Assembly starts with the facial features on the front panel: the 8 mm safety eyes are inserted, the cheeks are stitched below each eye with pink yarn, and the mouth is stitched on. The two body panels are then placed together with all sides matched and joined by chaining one and single crocheting around the outside in red. The apple is stuffed before the stem and leaf are attached.
A length of red yarn about 15 cms (6 inches) long is set aside for sewing the stem and leaf between the panels through all three layers. After that, single crochet continues around the outside, working into the front panel only where the stem and leaf are already sewn shut. Stuffing is topped up, the piece is closed with a slip stitch to the first stitch, and the yarn tail is poked back inside with the tapestry needle.
For related projects, consider the Crochet Apple Pattern and Keychain Overview.
Original designer’s pattern and instructions
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