Alien Keychain

This is the first keychain pattern that I designed when I was preparing for my first market. Compared to other stuffed crochet pieces, it is important not to stuff it too firmly. That way, it can be press somewhat flat, in order to achieve the desired shape. I have derived a few variant patterns from this one, e.g., the Cthulhu and Mindflayer keychains. Since there are some significant difference, I have written up complete patterns for them as well. For the keychain, I like to attach a few small rings to the D-ring of the clasp. The exact sizes of the rings and type of clasp are up to you.

Steps

Yarn weight: super fine

Hook size: 2.5 mm

Abbreviations (US crochet terms)

• sc single crochet
• sc dec single crochet decrease (I prefer the "invisible" decrease: insert hook into next two front loops, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through both loops.)
• sc inc single crochet increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)
• st stitch

Note: The pattern is worked in continuous rounds.

Round 1: In a magic ring, 6sc. (6)

Round 2: (sc, sc inc) x 3. (9)

Round 3: (sc, sc inc, sc) x 3. (12)

Round 4: (3sc, sc inc) x 3. (15)

Round 5: (2sc, sc inc, 2sc) x 3. (18)

Round 6: (5sc, sc inc) x 3. (21)

Round 7: (3sc, sc inc, 3sc) x 3. (24)

Rounds 8-11: sc x 24. (24)

Round 12: (sc, sc dec, sc) x 6. (18)

Round 13: (sc, sc dec) x 6. (12)

Stuff lightly and press flat.

Round 14: sc dec x 6. (6)

Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Sew the hole shut, but do not cut the tail yet.

Embroider two eyes using super fine yarn. You'll need about four passes to fill out each eye. Start from a single spot three round below the top, spread out to multiple spots one round down, and then converge on a single spot one more round down. The top spots should be five stitches apart, the bottom ones three stitches apart.

Attach the keychain to the closed hole of round 14 with the remaining tail.