Crochet Key Monster - Free Pattern!

This is one long craft famine.

I've been ransacking the internet in search of any cute fabric or yarn stores within an hour's drive of Bainbridge, but I've been coming up empty. When you're used to having a gold minelike the Urban Craft Center a mere ten minutes away, and when you grew accustomed to going there five days a week for the better part of a year, well...there's really just one word for what's happening right now.

Withdrawal.

At least I had the sense to panic and stuffed some yarn and crochet hooks in my carryon at the last second. I'm glad I did. I crocheted this little guy over the course of a few nights because I just needed to make something.

Then I realized he would be the perfect keychain for my single office key.

My car keys are at home, so the key to the production office has just been kicking around at the bottom of my purse. Now that it's tied to the key monster's tail, I can always find it right away. Thanks, monster!

The full [free!] pattern for this little guy after the jump.

Crochet Key Monster

Materials:

small ball of worsted weight yarn for body

constrasting worsted weight yarn for face

stuffing

Size F [3.75mm] crochet hook

yarn needle

EARS: (make 2)

Tie a slipknot onto your hook.

Row 1: ch 4

Row 2: sc in every ch stitch back to end

Sl st and pull tail all the way through. Pull to tighten. Leave tails that are 6" long.

TAIL: (make 1)

Slipknot into your hook. Ch 8. Sl st through and pull tail all the way through. Leave tails that are 6" long.

BODY:

Rnd 1: Tie slipknot onto hook. Ch 3. Pass hook through first ch stitch. Sl st to make ring.

Rnd 2: 6 sc through ring (6 st)

Rnd 3: inc every stitch (12 st)

Rnd 4: *1 sc, inc* repeat for rest of round (18 st)

Rnd 5: *2 sc, inc* repeat for rest of round (24 st)

Rnd 6: *3 sc, inc* repeat for rest of round (30 st)

Rnd 7: *4 sc, inc* repeat for rest of round (36 st)

Rnd 8-11: sc in every stitch

The dome you have formed will be the top of the head. Sew on the ears with the yarn needle, knotting on the inside. Use the contrasting yarn to embroider eyes, a nose and mouth.

Rnd 12: *4 sc, dec* repeat for rest of round (30 st)

Rnd 13: *3 sc, dec* repeat for rest of round (24 st)

Sew on the tail, knotting on the inside. Stuff monster with as much stuffing as will fit.

Rnd 14: *2 sc, dec* repeat for rest of round (18 st)

Rnd 15: *1 sc, dec* repeat for rest of round (12 st)

Stuff with more stuffing, making sure the monster is well filled out.

Rnd 16: dec in every stitch until opening is very small.

Cut 6" tail and pull through. Use yarn needle to thread it through final row. Pull tight like a drawstring. Use yarn needle to thread tail down through center of ball. Cut off excess.

Tie a key onto your Key Monster's tail and toss him in your purse!