These mini crochet sun hat keychains are absolutely everywhere right now — and honestly, it’s easy to see why. They’re tiny, they’re adorable, they work up in under an hour, and they make the most beautiful bag charms, keychain accessories, and handmade gifts that anyone would love to receive.
Each little sun hat has a stuffed dome crown, a wide flat brim, a neat contrast color band, and the sweetest little bow tied at the front. Attach a gold lobster clasp and you’ve got a finished keychain that looks like it came straight from an Etsy shop — because it absolutely could.
I know you’re going to love making this one. Whether you’re crocheting your first keychain or building up your craft fair inventory, this free pattern walks you through every single round with step-by-step instructions, stitch counts, and tips that make the whole process feel easy and totally fun.
💡 Before you start — please save this to Pinterest so you can find it again later! Pin the image above to your crochet board. It really helps keep this free pattern available for everyone.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
- Works up in 45–60 minutes per hat
- Uses only basic stitches — single crochet, slip stitch, and increase
- Perfect for scrap yarn — each hat uses less than 50 yards total
- No extra sewing on the band — it’s crocheted directly onto the hat
- Makes a great craft fair bestseller or a super thoughtful handmade gift
- Perfect for beginners who already know how to work in the round
What You’ll Need
Yarn
- MC (Main Color): DK weight cotton yarn — approx. 20–25 yards Recommended: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, WeCrochet Dishie, or Paintbox Simply DK Cotton
- CC (Contrast Color): DK weight cotton yarn — approx. 20 yards Same yarn line in your contrast color
🧶 Yarn Tip: 100% cotton is strongly recommended for this project. Cotton gives the brim a crisp, flat shape that holds up without blocking. Acrylic will work, but the brim edge may curl slightly. For the best results that match the photos, go with cotton.
Tools and Notions
- Crochet hook: Size E-4 (3.5 mm)
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Small amount of polyfill stuffing
- 1 stitch marker
- 1 gold lobster clasp keychain finding with split ring (Available in packs on Amazon or at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, and JOANN)
Gauge
5 sc × 5 rows = 1 inch using a size E-4 (3.5 mm) hook and DK cotton yarn.
Gauge is not critical but will affect finished size. Looser gauge = larger hat. Tighter gauge = smaller hat. The finished hat shown measures approximately 2.5 inches wide across the brim and 1.5 inches tall at the crown.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | increase — 2 sc in the same stitch |
| BLO | back loop only |
| FLO | front loop only |
| MR | magic ring |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| R | Round |
| rep | repeat |
| FO | fasten off |
This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Special Stitches
Magic Ring (MR): Make a loop with your yarn, insert your hook into the loop, pull up a working loop, ch 1, then work your sc stitches into the loop. Pull the yarn tail to close the ring. New to the magic ring? Search “magic ring tutorial” on YouTube — it clicks after one try!
Increase (inc): Work 2 sc into the same stitch.
Back Loop Only (BLO): Insert your hook into the back loop of the stitch only, leaving the front loop unworked. This creates a visible ridge and leaves the front loops free for the hat band later.
Front Loop Only (FLO): Insert your hook into the front loop of the stitch only, leaving the back loop unworked.
Notes
- The crown is worked in continuous spiral rounds — do not join or chain at the end of each round unless the instructions say to. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of Round 1 and move it up at the start of every new round.
- The brim switches to joined rounds — join each round with a sl st to the first stitch, then ch 1 before starting the next round. The ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch.
- Stitch counts are shown in parentheses ( ) at the end of each round.
- Count your stitches after every increase round. One extra or missing stitch in Round 9 or 10 will throw off the whole brim shape.
- The hat band is worked directly into the unused front loops left from Round 8 — no extra sewing or strip needed.
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Free Mini Crochet Sun Hat Keychain Pattern
[HERO IMAGE: Finished hat keychain — three colorways displayed on pink background]
Part 1 — Crown (MC)
Work in continuous spiral rounds. Place your stitch marker in the first stitch of Round 1 and move it up at the start of every new round.
[IMAGE: Magic ring with 6 sc stitches, pulled tight — top view of crown start]
R1: MR, 6 sc. Pull ring closed tightly. (6)
R2: Inc in each st around. (12)
✓ Check: Each of the 6 original stitches now has 2 stitches worked into it — total 12.
R3: *Sc in next st, inc in next st; rep from * around. (18)
✓ Check: 6 sc + 6 pairs from the increases = 18 stitches.
R4: *Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around. (24)
✓ Check: 12 sc + 6 pairs from the increases = 24 stitches. Your work now looks like a small flat disk — this is the top of the dome.
[IMAGE: Flat disk after Round 4 — approximately 1.5 inches across]
R5: Sc in each st around. (24)
R6: Sc in each st around. (24)
R7: Sc in each st around. (24)
[IMAGE: Crown after Round 7 — dome shape with short cylinder at the base, approximately 1 inch tall]
💡 Tip: After Round 7 your crown should look like a small dome with a short cylinder at the base — about 1 inch tall. That’s exactly right! Don’t add extra rounds here or the crown will end up too tall.
R8 — Ridge Round (BLO): Working into the back loop only of each st, sc around. (24)
[IMAGE: Close-up of the BLO ridge showing as a groove around the base of the crown]
⭐ Important: This is the most critical round of the whole pattern. Working in BLO does two things at once — it creates the visible groove that separates the crown from the brim, AND it leaves 24 unused front loops for the hat band in Part 3. Do NOT skip this or accidentally work in both loops.
Stuff the crown before moving on. Push a small pinch of polyfill up through the open base into the dome. The crown should feel firm and hold its shape — but not stretched or lumpy. Less stuffing is always better here.
Do NOT fasten off. Continue directly to Part 2.
Part 2 — Brim (MC and CC)
Switch to joined rounds from here. At the end of each round, join with a sl st to the first stitch of that round, then ch 1. The ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
The inner brim — Rounds 9, 10, and 11 — stays in MC, the same color as the crown. You can see this in the finished hat photos. The outer brim edge — Rounds 12 and 13 — switches to CC for the contrast color border.
[IMAGE: Brim beginning to flare outward after Round 9, hat viewed from above]
R9 (MC): *Sc in next st, inc in next st; rep from * around. Join with sl st. Ch 1. (36)
✓ Check: 12 sc + 12 pairs from inc = 36 stitches. The brim starts to flare outward here.
R10 (MC): *Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st; rep from * around. Join with sl st. Ch 1. (48)
✓ Check: 24 sc + 12 pairs from inc = 48 stitches.
R11 (MC): Sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (48)
[IMAGE: Full MC brim after Round 11 — wide and flat before the CC edge is added]
💡 Tip: This straight round lets the brim settle flat before the contrast edge goes on. If there’s a little ruffling, don’t panic — the CC rounds and a light damp pressing will take care of it.
Fasten off MC, leaving a 4-inch tail. Weave in the MC tail now.
Switch to CC.
R12 (CC): Join CC with a sl st in any st of R11. Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (48)
R13 (CC): Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (48)
[IMAGE: Completed brim with 2 rounds of CC border — hat looks nearly finished]
Fasten off CC. Weave in both CC ends.
Part 3 — Hat Band (CC)
Set the hat aside and find the 24 unused front loops left behind from Round 8. They’re the small horizontal V-shapes sitting in the groove between the crown and the brim — one V for every stitch, running all the way around the hat.
[IMAGE: Close-up of the groove showing the unused front loops from Round 8 — 24 small V-shapes visible]
Join CC with a sl st in any one of those front loops.
Sl st in every front loop around — 24 sl sts total. Join with a sl st to the first sl st. (24)
Fasten off CC. Weave in ends.
[IMAGE: Completed hat band — a neat raised CC ridge sitting right in the groove between crown and brim]
⭐ Why this technique works: The sl sts create a raised CC band that locks perfectly into the groove from Round 8 — no measuring, no sewing on a separate strip, no guessing. This is exactly the clean contrast band you see in the finished hat photos.
Part 4 — Bow (CC)
The bow is worked flat in short rows. Turn your work at the end of each row.
Row 1: Ch 8. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each remaining ch across. (7)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (7)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (7)
FO, leaving a 12-inch tail for sewing.
✓ Check: Your bow rectangle should be 7 sts wide and 3 rows tall.
Shaping the Bow
Lay the rectangle flat on a table. Pinch it firmly right in the center from top to bottom — the piece should gather into a bow shape with two loops and two tails.
Cut a separate 8-inch length of CC yarn. Wrap it tightly around the center pinch 5 times, pulling firmly with each wrap. Knot very securely at the back and trim the wrapping ends short.
The bow should hold its shape on its own now.
Attaching the Bow
Place the bow at the front center of the hat, right on the CC band from Part 3.
Thread the 12-inch tail onto your tapestry needle. Sew through the center back of the bow and into the band stitches at least 4–5 times. Pull firmly after every pass.
Knot the tail on the inside of the crown and weave in the end.
[IMAGE: Bow sewn to front of hat — completed hat minus the keychain hardware]
💡 Tip: Tug the bow gently after sewing. It should not spin or shift at all. If it moves, add 2–3 more sewing passes before knotting off.
Keychain Attachment
Join MC or CC with a sl st to the very center top of the crown, right at the magic ring.
Ch 10. Sl st back into the same stitch to form a loop. FO, leaving a 6-inch tail.
Thread the tail onto your tapestry needle. Pass the needle back through the chain loop 2 more times, then through 3–4 stitches at the crown top. Knot firmly and trim.
Thread the split ring through the chain loop. Clip the lobster clasp onto the split ring.
[IMAGE: Fully finished hat keychain with gold lobster clasp attached]
⭐ Durability tip: The keychain loop takes more daily stress than any other part of the hat. Spending 30 extra seconds reinforcing it with the tapestry needle means a keychain that holds up for years — not one that unravels after a few weeks.
Full Stitch Count Reference
| Round | Color | Stitch Count |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | MC | 6 |
| R2 | MC | 12 |
| R3 | MC | 18 |
| R4 | MC | 24 |
| R5 | MC | 24 |
| R6 | MC | 24 |
| R7 | MC | 24 |
| R8 — BLO | MC | 24 |
| R9 | MC | 36 |
| R10 | MC | 48 |
| R11 | MC | 48 |
| R12 | CC | 48 |
| R13 | CC | 48 |
| Band — FLO of R8 | CC | 24 sl sts |
| Bow — flat rows | CC | 7 sts × 3 rows |
Finishing
Weave In All Ends
Thread every yarn tail onto your tapestry needle and weave through 4–5 nearby stitches on the inside of the hat. Change direction once before trimming. Keychains get handled every single day — any loose tail will eventually work its way out, so don’t skip this step.
Block the Brim
Lightly mist the finished hat with a water bottle. Press the brim flat and even with your fingers and leave it flat to dry — about 1–2 hours for DK cotton. This one small step gives the brim a clean, professional-looking finish.
Color Ideas
| Hat Name | MC (Crown + Inner Brim) | CC (Outer Brim, Band, Bow) |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Classic | Soft white | Hot pink |
| Garden Party | Mint green | Lavender |
| Sunny Day | Butter yellow | Cornflower blue |
| Roses and Cream | Off-white | Dusty rose |
| Berry Patch | Lilac | Deep pink |
| Fall Market | Terracotta | Cream |
| Sea Breeze | Sky blue | Coral |
🎨 Mix and match tip: Make a set of three in different colorways and bundle them together as a gift. Pastel combinations photograph beautifully and get tons of saves on Pinterest!
Troubleshooting
There’s a hole at the top of my crown. Your magic ring wasn’t pulled tight enough. This can’t be fixed mid-project — restart Round 1 and pull the ring completely closed before beginning Round 2.
My brim is ruffling and won’t lay flat. Check that you worked exactly 12 repeats in R9 and exactly 12 repeats in R10. Uneven increase spacing causes ruffling. Mist the brim with water, press flat with your hands, and let dry.
My crown looks too tall compared to the photo. You likely worked more than 3 straight rounds between Round 4 and Round 8. Check that you worked only R5, R6, and R7 as the straight rounds before the BLO ridge round.
My bow keeps spinning around the band. Sew at least 5 passes through the bow center and into the band stitches, pulling firmly after every pass. The bow should not move at all when tugged.
The hat band looks loose or doesn’t sit in the groove. You may have worked Round 8 in both loops instead of BLO only. Without those unused front loops, this band method won’t work. Instead, sew a short slip stitch chain around the groove by hand using your tapestry needle.
Tips and Tricks
- 🧵 Use cotton on your first attempt — it gives the crispest, cleanest result and holds its shape perfectly
- 📍 Move your stitch marker every round — marking the first stitch keeps the spiral aligned through all 8 crown rounds
- ✅ Count stitches after R4, R9, and R10 — these are the three increase rounds where one missed stitch will snowball into a visible shape problem
- 🫧 Stuff less than you think you need — a tiny pinch of polyfill is all it takes; overstuffing distorts the dome and shows through the stitches
- 💧 Press the brim while damp — two minutes of hand-pressing after a light mist gives a professional flat finish every time
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use acrylic yarn instead of cotton? Yes! Acrylic works with the same stitch counts. The brim may curl slightly at the outer edge — block it firmly while damp and it’ll usually lay flat. Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice or Red Heart Soft are great US acrylic options if that’s what you have on hand.
What if I want a smaller hat? Use a size B-1 (2.25 mm) hook with fingering weight or crochet thread to get a smaller hat about 1.5 inches wide — great for earrings or teeny bag charms. The stitch counts stay exactly the same.
Can I sell finished keychains made from this pattern? Yes! You’re welcome to sell finished keychains made from this pattern. Please credit Digitalhow as the pattern source. Please don’t copy or sell the written pattern itself.
How much yarn does one hat use? Each finished hat uses roughly 20–25 yards of MC and 20 yards of CC — about 40–45 yards total. One skein of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton holds 186 yards, so one skein of each color is enough for about 4–5 complete hats.
Why is my hat band loose? The sl sts should sit snugly in the groove from Round 8. Make sure you’re working into the front loops of Round 8 specifically — not Round 9 or any other round. The BLO groove acts as a natural channel that holds the band in place.
How long does it take to make one hat? Most crocheters finish one hat in 45–60 minutes once they’ve made it once. The first hat may take a little longer while you get familiar with the construction. After that, they go really fast — great for batch-making for craft fairs!
Gifting and Selling Ideas
- Bundle three keychains in coordinating pastel shades, tie with a ribbon, and add a kraft paper tag for a gift set priced at $10–$18
- List sets of five on Etsy as baby shower or bachelorette party favors — pastel crochet items photograph beautifully and get tons of saves on Pinterest
- At craft fairs, display a color swatch card and offer custom color orders — it increases your average sale and keeps people at your booth longer
- Pair a sun hat keychain with a matching scrunchie or mini tote bag charm for a higher-priced gift set
Safety Note
Do not give this keychain to children under 3 years old. The lobster clasp, split ring, and small overall size are all choking hazards. If you’re selling finished keychains, include an age-appropriateness label with each item.
More Free Crochet Keychain Patterns You’ll Love
- Mini Crochet Star Keychain Pattern — Free Step-by-Step
- Mini Crochet Baby Booties Keychain Pattern
- Mini Crochet Strawberry Keychain Pattern
- 10 Beginner-Friendly Mini Crochet Keychain Patterns
Share Your Finished Hat!
Did you make this mini crochet sun hat keychain? I’d love to see it! 🎉
📌 Pin this pattern to Pinterest so you can make more color variations later and share it with your crochet friends!
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💬 Have a question about the pattern? Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you!
Categories: Amigurumi Crochet Patterns | Crochet Tutorials and Guides
