A flower with popcorn stitch petals has a dimensionality that flat flower motifs can't match.
Each petal is a popcorn made of five treble crochets worked into the same stitch. When closed, the popcorn puffs outward from the fabric, creating a rounded, textured petal that catches light and casts tiny shadows. Ten petals around a gold center create a flower that looks almost real from a few feet away.
The flower is constructed in three parts: a front flower with the popcorn petals, a back flower center that's a plain circle, and the sewn-together assembly that hides all the loose ends inside. The keychain clasp attaches through the outer edge.
The entire keychain uses about ten grams of yarn across two colors. It's a twenty-minute project that produces something genuinely giftable.
Why You'll Love This Crochet Keychain
The popcorn stitch is satisfying to execute.
Five treble crochets in one stitch. Remove the hook. Insert into the first treble. Grab the loop. Pull through. The petal puffs into existence. There's a tactile satisfaction to each popcorn closure that keeps the project engaging.
The construction hides all loose ends inside.
The front flower center and back flower center are sewn together with the loose ends stuffed between them. No weaving. No visible yarn tails. The finished back looks as clean as the front.
The ten-petal design creates a full, balanced flower.
Ten petals evenly spaced around a round center give the flower a natural, organic appearance. The petal count is a direct result of the 10-stitch base in the center round.
The keychain application makes the flower useful. Clip it onto a bag, keys, or zipper pull, and it brightens the object it's attached to.
Materials Needed
- 5 grams of worsted weight (#4) yarn in flower center color (gold/yellow)
- 5 grams of worsted weight yarn in petal color (cream/white)
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Keychain clasp (optional)
Red Heart Super Saver in Gold and Aran are the colors shown. Each skein is $4.49 for 364 yards. You'll use a tiny fraction of each.
Cotton gives the popcorn petals crisper definition. The treble stitches hold their shape more rigidly. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton is a premium alternative.
Best Yarn Choices for Flower Keychains
Acrylic is the budget choice. The popcorns puff nicely in acrylic, and the yarn is affordable enough for bulk making.
Cotton gives you sharper petal definition. Each popcorn reads more distinctly as a petal. For keychains that will be handled daily, cotton's durability is an asset.
Metallic or glitter yarns in the center add sparkle. A gold metallic center with cream petals creates an elegant combination.
Gauge, Size Guide & Must-Have Tools
With worsted weight and a 5.0 mm hook, the flower measures about 2.6 inches across.
Finished dimensions:
- Flower diameter: about 2.6 inches
For a larger flower, use bulky yarn and a 6.0 mm hook. For a mini version, use sport weight and a 3.5 mm hook.
Must-have tools:
- 5.0 mm hook: Smooth finish for easy popcorn closures.
- Tapestry needle: For sewing the centers together.
Pattern Notes & Tips Before You Start
The popcorn stitch uses treble crochets, not double crochets. Yarn over twice before inserting the hook. The taller stitch creates a longer, more defined petal than a double-crochet popcorn would.
Hold the working loop on your finger when removing the hook from the popcorn. This prevents the loop from pulling out and unraveling the partial stitches.
When inserting the hook back into the first treble, go from front to back. The popcorn should puff toward you on the right side of the work.
The chain-1 after each popcorn secures the stitch and creates a small gap between petals. Keep these chains consistent in tension.
Abbreviations Explained
- ch – chain: Yarn over, pull through loop.
- dc – double crochet: Yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop, (yarn over, pull through two loops) twice.
- PC – popcorn stitch: 5 treble crochets in the same stitch. Remove hook. Insert into first tr. Grab loop. Pull through. Chain 1.
- sl st – slip stitch: Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop.
- tr – treble crochet: Yarn over twice, insert hook, pull up loop, (yarn over, pull through two loops) three times.
Step-by-Step Popcorn Flower Keychain
Flower Center (Front)
Foundation: With gold yarn, make a magic ring.
Round 1: Chain 2. Work 10 dc into the ring. Slip stitch to first dc. Fasten off. (10 stitches)
Flower Petals
Attach cream yarn to any stitch of Round 1.
Round 2: Chain 3. Work a popcorn in each stitch around (10 popcorns). Slip stitch to the first popcorn. Fasten off.
Back Center
With gold yarn, make a magic ring. Work Round 1 identically to the front center, but fasten off with a 10-inch tail for sewing.
Assembly
Stuff the loose ends from the flower center and petals into the space between the front and back.
Place the back center against the back of the flower. Using the long tail, sew the back center to Round 2, stitching through the outer edge of the back center and the base of the petals.
Before closing completely, tie the magic ring tails together so the rings don't open. Finish sewing. Knot to secure. Hide the end inside the flower.
Attaching Keychain Clasp
Insert the keyring through the outer edge of the flower, between any two petals. Use pliers if needed to open the ring.
Easy Variations & Custom Ideas
Different petal count: Start with 8 or 12 dc in the center for flowers with fewer or more petals.
Two-tone petals: Alternate petal colors for a striped flower effect.
Mini earrings: Use embroidery floss and a 2.0 mm hook. Attach to earring findings.
Garland: Make multiple flowers and string them on a crochet chain for a decorative garland.
Common Troubleshooting and Fixes
Popcorns are flat: Pull up generous loops when working the treble crochets. The more yarn in each tr, the puffier the finished popcorn.
Petals are uneven sizes: Count your trebles carefully. Each popcorn must have exactly 5 tr for consistent petal size.
Back center doesn't align: Match the stitch count. The back center should have the same number of stitches as the front center.
Keychain clasp won't fit: Insert it between petals rather than through the dense center.
Final Thoughts
A popcorn flower keychain is a tiny burst of handmade joy.
It's the kind of project that takes almost no time, uses almost no yarn, and produces something that makes people smile when they pull out their keys. I keep a few in my bag to give away when someone admires mine.
Make a bunch in different color combinations. They're addictive.
Tag me if you post yours. Flower keychains always brighten my feed.
