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Crochet Sunflower Keychain Pattern (Free Bag Charm Tutorial)

ByMuntaseer Rahman
Crochet sunflower bag charm hanging from the strap of a brown tote bag outdoors

There is a little upgrade I reach for whenever a plain tote or a boring set of keys needs some personality. A crochet sunflower charm clipped on, and suddenly the whole thing looks intentional.

This is a free crochet sunflower keychain and bag charm pattern. You make a puffy two-layer sunflower, add a pair of leaves and a green hanging cord, and you have a charm that works on a bag, a backpack, a zipper, or a keyring.

The crocheter I commission worked the sample in milk cotton, dark brown for the seed center, soft yellow for the petals, and green for the leaves and cord. Below is the full pattern with step photos for the center, the petals, the cord, the leaves, and the assembly.

Finished crochet sunflower bag charm with green leaves and a hanging cord on a white marble surface

Quick Info

  • Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
  • Finished size: About 3 inches across the flower (varies with yarn and hook)
  • Time: About 1.5 to 2 hours
  • Stitches used: magic ring, ch, sc, hdc, dc, tr, sl st, inc
  • Best for: Bag charms, keychains, zipper pulls, car mirror charms, backpack clips, handmade gifts

Materials

Materials for the crochet sunflower keychain: yellow, dark brown, and green milk cotton yarn, a 3 mm hook, scissors, a tapestry needle, and fiberfill stuffing
  • Milk cotton yarn (4-ply) in dark brown (center), yellow (petals), and green (leaves and cord)
  • 3 mm crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • A keyring or lobster clasp, optional, only if you want a metal keychain finish

Milk cotton is the right pick here. It holds a crisp petal edge, keeps the colors saturated, and does not fuzz up while it swings around on your bag.

Abbreviations

  • MR = magic ring
  • ch = chain
  • sc = single crochet
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • dc = double crochet
  • tr = treble crochet
  • inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • R = round

Flower Center (Make 2)

Two dark brown crocheted center discs for the sunflower, one with a long tail, with yellow yarn attached to work both pieces together

Using dark brown yarn, make two identical discs.

  1. R1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
  2. R2: inc in each stitch around. [12]
  3. R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) repeated 6 times. [18]
  4. R4: (2 sc, 1 inc) repeated 6 times. [24]
  5. R5: sc in each stitch around. [24]

Fasten off both discs. On one disc, leave a slightly longer tail to make weaving in easier later.

Tip: Close the magic ring tight. All 6 first-round stitches sit in the magic ring. Pull the tail firmly before you join round 2, or the brown center gaps open in the middle.

Tip: Land both discs at 24. Both centers need to match so the petal round lines up. Count at the end of every round: 6, 12, 18, 24, 24. Fix any miscount before you start the second disc.

Petals (Yellow)

Step photos of the yellow petal round being worked around the joined brown sunflower centers to form pointed petals

Hold both center discs together with the wrong sides facing in, so the two neat fronts face out. You crochet through both layers at once, which is what gives the sunflower its puffy body.

  1. Attach yellow yarn in any stitch, working through both discs together.
  2. Repeat this petal around: ch 2, (dc, tr) in the next stitch, ch 2, sl st, (tr, dc) in the same stitch, ch 2, sl st in the next stitch.
  3. Before you close the last few petals, stuff the center lightly with fiberfill.
  4. Fasten off and weave in all yarn ends neatly.

Tip: Work through both layers. Pushing the hook through both discs on every stitch is the whole trick. It seals the edge and builds a dome you can stuff, instead of a flat circle.

Tip: One petal lives in one stitch. Each pointed petal is built into a single stitch (dc, tr, ch 2, sl st, tr, dc), then you ch 2 and slip stitch into the next stitch to anchor it before the next petal. That sl st is what keeps the petals upright.

Tip: Stuff lightly, not full. A small pinch of fiberfill rounds out the center. Overstuff it and the petals pull back flat.

Hanging Cord

Green crocheted hanging cord chained and attached to the back of the crochet sunflower

The cord is what turns the flower into a hanging charm. It loops over a bag strap or onto a keyring.

  1. Attach green yarn on the back side of the flower.
  2. ch 65, or any length you like for how low you want it to hang.
  3. sl st back into the same stitch you started from to close the loop.
  4. Cut the yarn, then wrap the leftover tail around the cord a few times for a cleaner, sturdier look.
  5. Hide the tail.

Tip: Decide the drop first. A 65-chain loop hangs low and showy on a tote. For keys or a zipper pull, chain shorter, around 30 to 40, so the flower sits up close.

Leaves (Make 2)

Crocheting a green leaf for the sunflower keychain, chained 16 and worked down both sides of the chain

The leaves are worked as one long shape down both sides of a starting chain. Using green yarn:

  1. ch 16.
  2. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc, sl st, sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, then (sc, ch 1, sc) in the last stitch.
  3. Turn your work and crochet back along the other side of the chain: hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc, sl st, sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc, sl st in the first stitch.
  4. Fasten off and hide the yarn tail.

Make two leaves the same way.

Tip: Work into the chain gaps. When you turn to crochet the second side, work into the loops on the underside of your starting chain. That is what gives the leaf its rounded, double-sided shape.

Assembly

Assembling the crochet sunflower keychain by threading the green cord through the center of the leaf
  1. Use your hook to pull the green cord through the center of a leaf, so the leaf sits at the top of the flower where the cord begins.
  2. Adjust the leaf position until it sits the way you like, fanned out above the sunflower.
  3. Make sure everything is secure and evenly placed, then tuck and trim any last tails.
Hand holding the finished crochet sunflower charm with leaves outdoors, showing its real size

That is the whole charm. A puffy sunflower, two leaves, and a cord to hang it from.

Ways to Use It

Crochet sunflower charm with leaves and a green hanging cord displayed against a pale wall

The same flower wears a lot of hats depending on how you finish the cord.

  • Bag charm. Loop the cord over a tote handle or a backpack strap. This is the look in the photos.
  • Keychain. Thread the cord loop onto a split keyring, or add a lobster clasp so you can clip it on and off.
  • Zipper pull. A shorter cord turns it into a pull for a jacket, pencil case, or pouch.
  • Car mirror charm. Hang it from the rear-view mirror for a bit of sunshine on the drive.

If you would rather wear your sunflower, the same flower works beautifully on the crochet sunflower hair clip, and there is a flat version in the sunflower coaster pattern too.

Tips for Success

Four crochet sunflowers in bright golden yellow with green leaves and stems arranged on white marble
  • Color it your way. Soft buttery yellow gives the gentle look in the first photos, and a bright golden yellow reads as a punchier classic sunflower. Both use the exact same pattern.
  • Yarn substitution. Milk cotton 4-ply with a 3 mm hook gives the crisp petals shown. Any light worsted cotton works, and the flower just runs slightly larger or smaller with your hook.
  • Batch them. A 50g ball of each color makes several charms. They are fast once you have the petal rhythm, so they make easy stocking fillers or party favors.
  • Block if needed. If the petals curl, a quick steam hover relaxes them flat. Hold the steam ten seconds and let it cool before hanging.
  • Add a bead. A small wooden or yellow bead threaded onto the cord before you close the loop gives the charm a finished, shop-bought touch.

FAQ

Is this a keychain or a bag charm?

Both. The crocheted cord loop hangs it from a bag, a backpack, or a keyring all the same. Add a split ring or lobster clasp if you want a clip-on keychain finish.

Can I use a different yarn?

Yes. Any light worsted or DK cotton works. Cotton holds the petal shape better than acrylic, which tends to go soft and floppy on a small piece like this.

How long should the hanging cord be?

For a bag charm, chain around 65 so it hangs low and shows off. For keys or a zipper, chain shorter, around 30 to 40, so the flower sits up close to the ring.

Why crochet through both center discs together?

Working the petal round through two layers builds a puffy, stuffable dome instead of a flat circle. It also doubles the body so the charm feels sturdy, not floppy, while it swings around.

Can I sell charms made from this pattern?

Yes, you can sell finished charms you make from this pattern. Please do not repost or resell the written pattern itself. A link back to Crochee is appreciated if you credit the source online.

Will it hold up on a bag?

It does. Milk cotton resists fuzzing, and the wrapped cord and stuffed center keep their shape through everyday bumping around. Bring it inside if it is going to sit in the rain.

Make One. Tag Crochee.

Three finished crochet sunflowers with green leaves and stems arranged on white fabric

If you make this charm, I would love to see it. Tag @crochee on Pinterest or Instagram with your finished sunflower and I will add it to the pattern feedback file.

This pattern and the sample photos come from Knot Just Yarn, the maker I buy these original designs from. Crochee shares them free with permission.

Want more little makes like this? Try the tiny turtle keychain, the bumble bee bag charm, and the lily of the valley bag charm, or browse all the keychains and charms patterns, every one free and original.

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