Crochet a Cute Capybara Cat Keychain – A Beginner-Friendly Tutorial!

Ever wanted to crochet something adorable, quick, and perfect for gifting or personalizing your keys? Well, look no further! In this post, I’ll guide you through creating your very own Cy Bea cat keychain. It’s super easy, even if you’re a complete beginner to crochet. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

What You’ll Need:

• Yarn: I used 5-ply cotton yarn, but feel free to use your favorite color and material.
• Crochet Hook: A 2.5mm hook worked perfectly for me.
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends and sewing.
• Stuffing: To give your cat some plumpness!
• Safety Eyes (4mm): Or you can embroider the eyes if you prefer.
• Black Yarn: For the nose.
• Pins: Helpful for positioning the facial features.

Let’s Get Hooked!

The Head:

1. The Magic Ring & Round 1: Start by making a magic ring (check out a quick tutorial online if you’re not familiar with it). Then, work 8 single crochets into the ring. Pull the yarn tight, then slip stitch into the first stitch to close the round.
2. Round 2 (Increasing): Chain 1, then make 2 single crochets into each stitch from the previous round (this is an “increase”). You should have a total of 16 stitches. Finish with a slip stitch.
3. Round 3 (More Increases): Chain 1. Make one single crochet in the first stitch, then an increase (two single crochets in the next stitch). Repeat this pattern around the whole round, for a total of 24 stitches. End with a slip stitch.
4. Rounds 4, 5, & 6: Chain 1, then make 1 single crochet in each stitch all the way around for all three rows. You’ll have 24 single crochets in each of these rows. Slip stitch to finish.
5. Round 7 (Adding a bit more shape): Chain 1. Make 6 single crochets. Then, make an increase in the next 4 stitches. Follow this with 4 single crochets, then another 4 increases. Finally, do 6 single crochets. Slip stitch at the end.
6. Rounds 8 & 9: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around the entire round. This should be 32 stitches in total. Slip stitch to finish.
7. Round 10 (Decreasing begins): Chain 1. 6 single crochets. Next, we’ll make 4 decreases. To decrease, insert your hook into a loop, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over again and pull through two loops on your hook and pull through two loops, creating the decrease. Complete 3 more decreases this way. Follow that with 4 single crochets. Then 4 more decreases. End with 6 single crochets. Slip stitch.
8. Round 11 (More Decreasing): Chain 1. Work one single crochet, then a decrease. Repeat this pattern 7 more times. You’ll have fewer stitches at the end of this row. Slip stitch at the end.
9. Time to Stuff! Before continuing to the final round, start stuffing your cat’s head.
10. Round 12 (Closing the Head): Chain 1. Work a total of 8 decreases across the entire round, this will close the opening. Finish with a slip stitch and a final chain 1. Cut the yarn leaving a long tail.
11. Finishing: Use your yarn needle and weave the tail through the remaining front loops, pull tightly to close the head completely, then poke the needle back through to the center of the head. This hides the tail neatly.

Embroidering the Face:

1. The Nose: Count down to the 6th row and pin the nose area between row 6 and 7. Embroider the nose using black yarn on the 7th row.
2. The Eyes: Pin your safety eyes (or make the embroidered ones) between the nose and the area where you will put your ears.

The Cap:

1. Rounds 1-3: The cap follows the exact same first 3 rounds as the head, so repeat those steps with your chosen color.
2. Round 4 (Increases): Chain 1. Make 2 single crochets, then an increase. Repeat this around the whole round. Slip Stitch.
3. Rounds 5 & 6: Chain 1, make a single crochet in each stitch of the whole round for both rows. Slip stitch to finish.
4. Rounds 7 & 8 (Half Double Crochets): Chain 2. Work 1 half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops) in each stitch all the way around. Repeat for both rounds. Finish with a slip stitch.
5. Prepping for Closing: Insert the cat’s head into the cap so it’s now time to start decreasing.
6. Round 9 (Decreases): Chain 1. Make 2 single crochets, then a decrease. Repeat this pattern around the whole round. Slip stitch to finish and chain 1 before cutting the yarn, leaving a tail.
7. Finishing: Weave the tail into the cap.

The Ears:

1. Magic Ring & Round 1: Make a magic ring. Chain 1, then make another chain. Work 6 half double crochets into the ring.
2. Closing: Pull the ring tight, chain 1, and cut the yarn leaving a long tail.
3. Attach the Ears: Pin the ears to the head between rows 2 and 3, counting down from the face. Sew them securely into place.

And You’re Done!

Congratulations! You’ve just created your adorable Cy Bea cat keychain! Attach a keyring or clip, and you’re all set.