Free Beginner Crochet Pattern: Mushroom Pop Keyring | with Handmade by Helen
For today’s blog, I’m SO excited to introduce the very first guest blogger for Fibre of My Being: Helen from Handmade by Helen.
I was lucky enough to meet Helen at the Blackwood Craft Market, where we were stall neighbours. Her gorgeous crochet work immediately caught my eye. I couldn’t resist her adorable amigurumi stuffies, all made with care and character.
Helen sells her plushies on Etsy and at markets around Adelaide (a little birdy told me she may be popping up at the Brighton Sunday Market on July 13). She also takes custom orders, so reach out if you have something in mind. If you love handmade fibre creations with heart, she’s one to follow.
You’ll find links to her socials and Etsy store at the end of the blog.
Today, she’s generously sharing a free, beginner-friendly crochet pattern she designed herself: the Mushroom Pop Keyring.
Whether you're new to crochet or just love a quick, satisfying make, this is the perfect quick evening project!
Crochet might look intricate and impressive—and it is! But if you’re new to the craft, all those patterns, stitches, and supplies can feel a bit intimidating at first. Don’t worry—you’re not alone. That’s how I felt a little over 8 months ago when I first took up the hooks.
After being inspired to see all the incredible patterns out there, I wanted to learn how to do that too and started on the long, slow and sometimes torturous journey that is learning to crochet.
After falling down the rabbit hole of mind-blowing crochet patterns (seriously, how do people make tiny dragons?!), I decided I had to learn. What followed was a wild ride—equal parts excitement, tangled yarn, and a few dramatic sighs. Learning to crochet wasn’t exactly love at first slip knot, but the journey? Totally worth it.
After mastering the Magic Ring (aka watching the same YouTube video on repeat for about 2 hours) I decided to start playing around to make something that is easy, fun and quick to make for beginners.
While we love a blanket or a big old stuffy amigurumi make, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a finished product! A quick one too!
Along came my pattern for a simple Mushroom Pop Keyring. This pattern will take about 45 minutes to complete and has minimal sewing, whilst using the basic stitches you learn as a beginner.
For my Mushroom Pop I have used:
Laines du Nord Eco Baby in the Natural, Eucalyptus and Old Rose colours
plus some natural wool fill to make it a fully natural creation!
Bonus – it’s a small enough project to fit in my Fibre of My Being Project Bag!
🍄Mushroom Pop Keychain Crochet Pattern (Beginner Friendly!)
🧵 Materials
DK or worsted weight yarn in your favourite mushroom colours (e.g. red, white, tan)
3.0–4.0 mm crochet hook (adjust to your yarn)
Yarn needle
Fiberfill stuffing
Stitch marker
Keyring
Optional: hot glue gun
🌱 Stem / Stipe
Magic Ring (MR) – 6 sc (alternatively chain 2 and work 6sc into the 1st chain)
Inc around – 12 sc
(Sc, inc) around – 18 sc
Sc around for 8 rounds – 18 sc
BLO sc around – 18 sc
Mark this round with a stitch marker so you can find it later
Sc around – 18 sc
(Sc, dec) around – 12 sc
Stuff the stem lightly
Sc around – 12 sc
Dec around – 6 sc
Fasten off and weave in your end
🍄 Cap
Magic Ring (MR) – 6 sc
(Sc, inc) around – 18 sc
(2 sc, inc) around – 24 sc
(3 sc, inc) around – 30 sc
Sc around for 5 rounds – 30 sc
BLO sc around – 30 sc
Mark the first front loop (FL) from this round
Sc around for 3 more rounds – 30 sc
This step helps close the gap between the cap and the stipe
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing
🧶 Assembly
Align the cap with the stem.
Sew the cap onto the back loop stitches from Round 5 of the stem (where you placed your stitch marker).
Lightly stuff as you go to keep the shape round and poppy.
Finish sewing and weave in your ends.
✨ Spots / Scales
Use a contrasting yarn colour
Stitch small "X" shapes randomly across the cap
Add as many or as few as you like
Varying colours or sizes = extra whimsy!
🔑 Make it a Keyring!
Cut a length of yarn (either the cap or spots colour).
Thread it through the centre of the magic ring on the cap to create a loop.
Tie onto your keyring or keychain hardware.
Secure with a knot—and optionally, a dab of hot glue for durability.
Congratulations! Your Mushroom Pop Keyring is now complete and ready to style up any bag!
I hope you’ve enjoyed Helen’s Mushroom Pop Keyring pattern as much as I have! If you’d like to see more of her work, you can follow her here:
🧶 Etsy: HandmadebyHelenAUCO
📸 Instagram: @handmade.by.helen_
Don’t forget, she’s open to custom orders and often pops up at local Adelaide markets, so keep an eye on her socials for updates on where to find her if you’re nearby. And if you give her pattern a try, make sure to tag Helen @handmade.by.helen_ and Fibre of My Being @fibreofmybeingau on Instagram. We'd love to see your mushrooms!
If you’re a fibre-loving maker and would like to be featured as a guest blogger, I’d love to hear from you! Get in touch via our contact page, and let’s see if we can collaborate.