Are you looking for a squishy, adorable project that will immediately upgrade your set of keys or backpack? Look no further!
This crochet cat paw keychain is the ultimate quick work-up for feline lovers.
Whether you want to make a cute gift or clear out your scrap yarn basket, this project delivers maximum cuteness with minimal hassle.
Materials and Preparation
Materials:
- Main Paw Yarn: Medium weight yarn in grey, blue, peach, or your choice of base color.
- Paw Pad Yarn: Medium weight yarn in white or pink.
- Fiberfill Stuffing: Polyfill stuffing to give your paw a soft, squishy 3D effect.
- Keychain Hardware: Key ring with a chain attachment.
Tools:
- Crochet Hook: 1.75 mm steel crochet hook (or size suitable for tight stitches).
- Yarn Needle: Tapestry needle for sewing toe pads and weaving in ends.
- Stitch Marker: To keep track of rounds.
- Scissors: For trimming yarn.
Preparation Notes:
- Maintain a firm, tight tension throughout the project to keep the stuffing inside from showing.
- Prepare two identical main paw bases, one for the front side and one for the back side.
Abbreviations and Notes
Abbreviations:
- MR: Magic Ring
- ch: Chain
- sc: Single Crochet
- hdc: Half Double Crochet
- dc: Double Crochet
- tr: Treble Crochet
- inc: Increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)
- sl st: Slip Stitch
Pattern Notes:
- All circular pieces begin with a chain loop or Magic Ring closed with a slip stitch.
- The main paw base is worked in rounds of double crochet and treble crochet shells to form the toe curves.
- The two main paw pieces are joined around the edges using single crochet, with a touch of stuffing inserted right before closing.
- Original design and pattern credit belongs to elisi sevdası.
Gauge, Approximate Size, and Pattern Notes
Gauge:
Gauge is not critical for this keychain. Adjust your hook size to ensure stitches are dense and tightly woven.
Finished Size:
Approximately 2.5 x 2.5 inches (6.35 x 6.35 cm).
Special Techniques:
- Treble Crochet Shells: Used to create the scalloped toes along the top edge of the paw base.
- Surface Join & Edge Seaming: Joining two flat panels together using single crochet while attaching the key ring loop seamlessly.
Step-by-Step Pattern
Part 1: Main Paw Base (Make 2)
Use main paw yarn color (grey, blue, or peach):
- R1: Ch 5, sl st to 1st ch to form a ring. Ch 2, work 15 dc into the ring. Sl st to join (15 dc).
- R2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch around. Sl st to join (30 dc).
- R3: Ch 2, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) repeat 15 times around. Sl st to join (44 dc).
- R4 (Toes Shaping): Ch 1, skip 1 st, 8 tr in next st, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next st, skip 1 st, 8 tr in next st, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next st, skip 1 st, 8 tr in next st, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next st, skip 1 st, 8 tr in next st, skip 1 st, 1 sc in next st. Sl st around the remaining stitches of the round. Fasten off the first piece. Repeat R1 to R4 for the second piece, but do not cut yarn on the second piece.
Part 2: Small Toe Pads (Make 8 – 4 per paw)
Use paw pad yarn color (white or pink):
- R1: MR, ch 1, 8 hdc into the ring. Sl st to join (8 hdc). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Part 3
Big Center Pad (Make 2 – 1 per side):
Use paw pad yarn color (white or pink):
- R1: MR, ch 2, 10 hdc into the ring. Sl st to join (10 hdc).
- R2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each stitch around (20 hdc). Sl st to join, then 1 sc, sl st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Part 4: Assembly and Finishing
- Attach Pads: Sew 1 big pad in the center and 4 small toe pads under each scalloped toe curve on both main paw panels using your yarn needle. Weave in pad tails on the wrong side.
- Combine Panels: Place the two main paw pieces wrong sides together (pads facing outward).
- Join Edges: Single crochet through both layers around the outer border. Insert key ring at the top center between the middle toes by working ch 1 and securing the keychain loop into the stitch.
- Stuff & Close: Before finishing the last few stitches, stuff lightly with polyfill. Finish joining with sl st, fasten off, and weave in all remaining yarn ends.
Detailed Pattern Breakdown
1. Main Paw Base Breakdown:
- Foundational Circle: The pattern builds a sturdy circular disc over three rounds of double crochet. The count expands predictably from 15 dc to 30 dc, and finally 44 dc.
- Scalloped Toe Shaping: The 4 scalloped toes on R4 are created by working heavy shell clusters composed of 8 treble crochets (8 tr) into single stitches, anchored on both sides by skipped stitches and single crochets.
2. Paw Pads Breakdown:
- Toe Pads: Compact 1 round circles made of 8 half double crochets in a magic ring create thick, raised mini pads.
- Center Pad: A two round half double crochet structure that expands from 10 hdc to 20 hdc, providing a smooth round center pad that perfectly fills the center of the base disc.
3. Assembly Breakdown:
- 3D Joining Technique: Combining two identical decorated panels with a border of single crochet gives the keychain structure, durability, and neat finished edges on both sides.
- Hardware Integration: The key ring handle is crocheted directly into the top edge seam for maximum stability.
Pattern Question:
Question: How can I ensure the small toe pads are evenly aligned and do not shift during sewing?
Answer: Before sewing the small toe pads with your yarn needle, use stitch markers or sewing pins to temporarily pin each small pad directly below its corresponding treble crochet toe scallop.
Align the center pad first so that all toe pads remain equidistant from the center. Sewing through the back loop of the pad stitches can also help keep the edge neat and flush against the paw base