Add a splash of color to your accessories with this Amigurumi Chameleon Keychain crochet pattern! Whether you’re crafting for reptile lovers, quirky gifts, or simply enjoy making fun amigurumi designs, this free pattern lets you stitch up a charming chameleon that’s both adorable and practical. With its curled tail, expressive eyes, and vibrant hues, this crochet chameleon keychain is perfect for brightening up your bag, keys, or backpack. Plus, with its playful design, this little chameleon is sure to bring smiles wherever it goes! 🦎✨
Designed for customization, this pattern allows you to experiment with different color combinations, textured stitches, or even tiny accessories like a miniature leaf or a tiny tongue for extra personality. Craft a classic green chameleon, create a rainbow-inspired version for a bold aesthetic, or even stitch up a full set of colorful chameleons for a fun collection! Whether gifted to a fellow crochet enthusiast, displayed as a cheerful accent, or made simply for the joy of crafting, this Amigurumi Chameleon Keychain is a creative and delightful project—perfect for adding a pop of handmade charm to every stitch! 🧶💚
🦎 Amigurumi Chameleon Keychain Crochet Pattern
This miniature chameleon amigurumi features a rounded head with raised eye rims, a compact arched body, short sturdy legs with contrasting feet, bold stitched stripes, a soft dorsal crest, and a tightly coiled spiral tail. Designed specifically as a keychain, the structure is firm yet lightweight, with all elements shaped to hold their form at a small scale.
All instructions use US crochet terms.
✨ Skill Level
Intermediate — involves tight stitch work, small components, surface details, and precise shaping.
📏 Finished Size
Approx. 9–10 cm (3.5–4 inches) long, excluding keychain hardware, using DK cotton yarn and a 2.0–2.5 mm hook.
🧶 Materials
- DK cotton yarn:
- Green (main body)
- Yellow / mustard (stripes, feet, eye rims, crest)
- Crochet hook: 2.0–2.5 mm
- Safety eyes: 6 mm (glossy black)
- Polyester fiberfill
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Keychain ring + short chain
✂️ Abbreviations (US)
MR – magic ring
sc – single crochet
inc – increase
dec – invisible decrease
sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain
BLO – back loop only
( ) – stitch count
🧠 Head (Green)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc x6 (12)
- (1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
5–7. sc around (24)
Insert safety eyes between Rounds 5–6, spaced 6 stitches apart.
- (2 sc, dec) x6 (18)
- (1 sc, dec) x6 (12)
Stuff firmly, keeping head round but slightly flattened at the sides.
- dec x6 (6)
Fasten off and close.
👁 Eye Rims (Make 2 – Yellow)
Worked as small raised rings.
- MR 6 (6)
- (sc, inc) x3 (9)
sl st, fasten off.
Sew each ring directly around the safety eye, forming a pronounced circular eyelid.
🐊 Body (Green)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc x6 (12)
- (1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
5–10. sc around (24)
Lightly stuff, shaping into a short rounded oval.
- (2 sc, dec) x6 (18)
- (1 sc, dec) x6 (12)
Do not close—this opening becomes the tail base.
🌀 Tail (Green – Continuous)
Continue from body.
13–17. sc around (12)
18–22. sc around (12)
Stuff lightly only at the base.
23–35. sc around (12)
Fasten off.
Roll tail tightly into a spiral and stitch invisibly along the underside to secure the curl permanently.
🦶 Legs (Make 4)
Feet (Yellow)
- MR 5 (5)
2–3. sc around (5)
Leg (Green)
- Change to green, sc around (5)
5–7. sc around (5)
Lightly stuff feet only.
Fasten off, leaving long tail.
Placement
- Front legs: attach just behind the head, slightly forward-facing
- Back legs: attach near tail base, angled outward
Legs should sit low and compact, supporting a crawling pose.
🟡 Dorsal Crest (Yellow)
Worked as small bobbles sewn along the spine.
Make 6–7 small bobbles:
MR 4 sc
sl st, fasten off
Sew from top of head to mid-back in a neat row.
🎨 Body Stripes & Face Details (Yellow)
Using surface slip stitch or embroidery:
- Add 3 short curved stripes on each side of the body
- Stitch a thin curved mouth line
- Add a narrow band under the eyes following head contour
All stripes are raised and bold, not flat embroidery.
🔗 Keychain Attachment
Attach a jump ring between the head and first crest bobble, stitching securely through multiple stitches.
Connect short chain and keyring.
🧵 Final Assembly
- Attach head to body securely
- Sew eye rims
- Attach legs
- Secure spiral tail
- Add crest and stripes
- Insert keychain hardware
Adjust shaping with fingers to emphasize the rounded head, arched body, and tight tail curl.
🌿 Finishing Touch
This chameleon is designed to feel lively and dimensional despite its small size. The raised eye rims, bold stripes, and coiled tail give it unmistakable character, making it perfect as a keychain, bag charm, or handmade gift for reptile lovers.
Cute!’