Crochet Shiba Inu Keychain Pattern

ByEmila Lorein

This pattern will guide you through creating a cute Shiba Inu puppy keychain.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Size: Approximately 3-4 inches tall (depending on yarn and hook size)

Crochet Shiba Inu Keychain Pattern

Materials:

  • Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
    • Orange/Rust (Main body color)
    • Cream/White (Muzzle, chest, paws, ear tips)
    • Black (Nose, mouth embroidery)
  • Crochet Hook: Size 3.5mm (E/4) or appropriate size for your yarn.
  • Safety Eyes: 6mm or 8mm black safety eyes (2)
  • Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill
  • Yarn Needle: For sewing pieces together and embroidery
  • Stitch Marker: To mark the beginning of rounds
  • Scissors
  • Pink Felt or Embroidery Floss: For cheek blush (optional)
  • Keychain Ring with Chain

Abbreviations (US Terms):

  • MR: Magic Ring
  • sc: Single Crochet
  • inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
  • dec: Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
  • st(s): Stitch(es)
  • sl st: Slip Stitch
  • ch: Chain
  • BLO: Back Loop Only
  • FLO: Front Loop Only
  • Rnd(s): Round(s)
  • FO: Fasten Off
  • ( ): Repeat instructions within parentheses as directed

Pattern:

Head:

  • (Start with Orange/Rust yarn)
  • Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
  • Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
  • Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
  • Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
  • Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
  • Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
  • Rnd 7: (Sc 5, inc) x 6 (42)
  • Rnds 8-13: Sc in each st around (42) – 6 rounds
  • Change to Cream/White yarn for the muzzle area.
  • Rnd 14: Sc 12 in Orange, sc 6 in Cream, sc 6 in Orange, sc 6 in Cream, sc 12 in Orange (42)
    • Carry the unused color along the back of your work, crocheting over it to keep it neat.
  • Rnd 15: Sc 11 in Orange, sc 8 in Cream, sc 4 in Orange, sc 8 in Cream, sc 11 in Orange (42)
  • Rnd 16: Sc 10 in Orange, sc 22 in Cream, sc 10 in Orange (42)
    • Insert safety eyes between Rnds 13 and 14, approximately 7-8 stitches apart, centered on the cream muzzle section.
  • Rnd 17: (Sc 5, dec) x 6 (36) – Continue with Orange for the rest of the head, you can cut the cream yarn, leaving a tail to weave in.
  • Rnd 18: (Sc 4, dec) x 6 (30)
  • Rnd 19: (Sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
  • Rnd 20: (Sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)
    • Begin stuffing the head firmly. Continue stuffing as you go.
  • Rnd 21: (Sc 1, dec) x 6 (12)
  • Rnd 22: Dec x 6 (6)
  • FO, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Weave in the end.

Ears (Make 2):

  • (Start with Orange/Rust yarn)
  • Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
  • Rnd 2: (Sc 1, inc) x 2 (6)
  • Rnd 3: (Sc 2, inc) x 2 (8)
  • Rnd 4: (Sc 3, inc) x 2 (10)
  • Rnd 5: Sc in each st around (10)
  • Change to Cream/White yarn for the inner ear.
  • Rnd 6: Sc in each st around (10)
  • FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff the ears. Flatten them.

Body:

  • (Start with Orange/Rust yarn)
  • Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
  • Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
  • Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
  • Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
  • Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
  • Rnds 6-8: Sc in each st around (30) – 3 rounds
  • Change to Cream/White yarn for the chest patch.
  • Rnd 9: Sc 6 in Cream, sc 24 in Orange (30)
  • Rnd 10: Sc 8 in Cream, sc 22 in Orange (30)
  • Rnd 11: Sc 8 in Cream, sc 22 in Orange (30)
    • Cut Cream yarn, leaving a tail to weave in. Continue with Orange.
  • Rnd 12: (Sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
  • Rnd 13: Sc in each st around (24)
  • Rnd 14: (Sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)
    • Begin stuffing the body firmly. Continue stuffing as you go.
  • Rnd 15: (Sc 1, dec) x 6 (12)
  • Rnd 16: Dec x 6 (6)
  • FO, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head.

Legs (Make 2):

  • (Start with Cream/White yarn)
  • Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR (5)
  • Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (10)
  • Rnd 3: Sc in each st around (10)
  • Change to Orange/Rust yarn.
  • Rnds 4-6: Sc in each st around (10) – 3 rounds
  • FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.

Arms (Make 2):

  • (Start with Cream/White yarn)
  • Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
  • Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (8)
  • Rnd 3: Sc in each st around (8)
  • Change to Orange/Rust yarn.
  • Rnds 4-5: Sc in each st around (8) – 2 rounds
  • FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly only at the paw end.

Tail:

  • (Start with Orange/Rust yarn)
  • Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
  • Rnd 2: (Sc 1, inc) x 2 (6)
  • Rnd 3: Sc in each st around (6)
  • Change to Cream/White yarn for the tip.
  • Rnd 4: Sc in each st around (6)
  • Rnd 5: (Sc 1, dec) x 2 (4)
  • FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff very lightly or not at all.

Assembly:

  1. Sew Head to Body: Use the long tail from the body to sew the opening of the body to the base of the head (around Rnd 21-22 of the head). Ensure it’s centered.
  2. Sew Ears to Head: Position the ears on top of the head, slightly towards the back, around Rnds 5-10 from the top. The cream/white part should face forward. Sew them securely.
  3. Sew Legs to Body: Attach the legs to the bottom front of the body, positioning them so the puppy can sit.
  4. Sew Arms to Body: Attach the arms to the sides of the body, just below where the head joins the body.
  5. Sew Tail to Body: Attach the tail to the back of the body, centered, so it curls upwards slightly.
  6. Embroider Face Details:
    • Nose: Using black yarn and a yarn needle, embroider a small triangular or rounded nose onto the center of the cream muzzle area.
    • Mouth: Using black yarn, embroider a small “w” shape or a simple line for the mouth below the nose.
    • Eyebrows/Accents (Optional): You can add small white or cream stitches above the eyes for expression, as seen in the picture.
  7. Cheek Blush (Optional):
    • Cut two small circles or ovals from pink felt and glue them onto the cheeks.
    • Alternatively, use pink embroidery floss to lightly embroider a blush.
  8. Attach Keychain: Securely sew or attach the keychain ring and chain to the top center of the head. Make sure it’s very sturdy.
  9. Weave in all remaining ends.

Tips:

  • Stuffing: Stuff firmly for a good shape, but don’t overstuff, or the stitches will stretch too much.
  • Counting Stitches: Use a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds, especially when working in a spiral.
  • Color Changes: When changing colors, complete the last yarn over of the stitch before the color change with the new color for a cleaner transition.
  • Symmetry: Take your time when attaching pieces to ensure they are symmetrical. Pin pieces in place before sewing to check the placement.
  • Tension: Try to maintain consistent tension throughout your work for an even fabric.

Enjoy making your Shiba Inu keychain!

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