purlJam

# Mini Whale Keychain 🐋

A quick, beginner-friendly amigurumi whale worked seamlessly in the round. Finished size approximately **5–6 cm** long — the perfect handheld keyring buddy.

**Difficulty:** Easy
**Terminology:** UK crochet terms throughout (UK dc = US sc; UK tr = US dc)

---

## Materials

- **Worsted (Aran/weight 4) yarn:**
  - Main colour (MC): blue or grey – small amount (~15 g)
  - White: tiny amount for belly/spout (optional)
- **Crochet hook:** 3.5 mm (UK) — going down from the ball-band recommendation for a tight amigurumi fabric
- **Polyester fibrefill** stuffing
- **Yarn needle** for assembly
- **Stitch marker** (to mark round beginnings)
- **6 mm safety eyes** (×2), OR black embroidery thread for embroidered eyes
- **Keyring finding** (split ring + short chain or lobster clasp)

---

## Tension (Gauge)

Tension is not critical for a keychain, but aim for a firm, tight fabric:
**Approx. 4 dc and 4 rounds = 2.5 cm** in dc worked in a spiral.
Work tightly so the stuffing does not peek through.

---

## Abbreviations (UK)

| Abbrev. | Meaning |
|---------|---------|
| dc | double crochet (US sc) |
| inc | increase (2 dc in same st) |
| dec | invisible decrease (2 sts together) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| MR | magic ring |
| rnd | round |
| ( ) x n | repeat sequence n times |
| [ ] | total stitch count at end of round |

**Note:** Work in a continuous spiral (do not join or turn) unless told otherwise. Move your stitch marker up at the start of each round.

---

## BODY (make 1, in MC)

> Construction: a small sphere shaped exactly per the template, stuffed firmly.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around **[12]**
  *(6 × 2 = 12 ✓)*
- **Rnd 3:** (dc, inc) around **[18]**
  *(6 × 3 = 18 ✓)*
- **Rnd 4:** dc around **[18]**
- **Rnd 5:** dc around **[18]**
- **Rnd 6:** dc around **[18]**
- **Rnd 7:** dc around **[18]**

*Insert safety eyes between Rnds 5–6, about 4 sts apart, before closing. If embroidering eyes, do so after stuffing.*

- **Rnd 8:** (dc, dec) around **[12]**
  *(18 → 12: 6 dc + 6 dec-pairs accounts for 6 + 12 = 18 sts in → 12 sts out ✓)*

**Stuff the body firmly now.**

- **Rnd 9:** dec around **[6]**
  *(12 → 6 ✓)*

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Using the yarn needle, weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close the hole. Weave in the end.

---

## TAIL FIN (make 1, in MC)

The tail is a small flat double-triangle (the whale's fluke).

- **Ch 4.**
- **Row 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each ch across, turn **[3]**
- **Row 2:** inc, dc, inc, turn **[5]**
  *(adds 2 sts: 3 + 2 = 5 ✓)*
- **Row 3:** dc across **[5]**
- **Row 4 (split the fluke):** dc, dc, then ch 2, turn — work back: dc in 2 sts to form first point. Fasten off.
- Rejoin yarn to remaining 2 sts, ch 2, dc back across to form the second point. Fasten off.

*If you prefer a simpler tail:* make a small triangle by working **Ch 4, Row 1: 3 dc, Row 2: dec, dc [2], Row 3: dec [1]** and fasten off — then pinch into a "V" shape when sewing. Both methods read as a whale tail at this size.

Leave a long tail for sewing.

---

## SIDE FINS (make 2, in MC)

Small flat ovals.

- **Ch 3.**
- **Row 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook, 2 dc in next ch, 3 dc in last ch — do not turn, work along opposite side: dc to end **[6]**

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. They should curl slightly into a fin shape naturally.

---

## SPOUT (optional, in white)

For a cute water-spout detail:
- **Ch 5**, fasten off, leaving long tails at both ends.
- Fold into a small loop/cluster to sit on top of the head.

Alternatively, embroider 2–3 short white straight stitches on top of the head.

---

## ASSEMBLY

1. **Orient the body:** the closed hole (Rnd 9) becomes the **rear**; the rounded MR end becomes the **face/front**.
2. **Eyes:** If not using safety eyes, embroider two small French knots or satin-stitch dots near the front, about 4 sts apart.
3. **Mouth (optional):** Embroider a small curved line below the eyes with a single strand of black thread.
4. **Tail fin:** Pin the tail fin to the rear (closed end), centred. Sew firmly with the yarn needle, fanning the two points upward into a "V". Weave in ends.
5. **Side fins:** Pin one fin to each side of the body, roughly level with the eyes and slightly lower. Sew in place. Weave in ends.
6. **Spout:** Attach the white loop/cluster to the top-front of the head, just behind the face. Secure and weave in.
7. **Keyring:** Thread the keyring finding's split ring through 2–3 stitches at the **top** of the body (between the face and tail). For extra security, stitch a short loop of MC yarn through the body, pass the ring through it, and knot firmly on the inside before closing — or attach now with several tight passes of the needle. Weave in all ends.

---

## Construction Tips

- **Stuff firmly** before the final decrease round — it is very hard to add stuffing later through a 6 mm hole.
- **Use the invisible decrease** (work into front loops only of the next 2 sts) for a smooth surface.
- **Pin before sewing** so the fins sit symmetrically — check from the front and top.
- **Keyring strength:** anchor the ring through several stitches, not just one, so it holds up to daily use.

---

## Size Adjustments

- **Slightly larger whale (~7–8 cm):** add Rnd 3.5: (2 dc, inc) around **[24]**, work 5–6 even rounds, then mirror the decreases (24 → 18 → 12 → 6).
- **Even tinier (~4 cm):** use DK yarn and a 3.0 mm hook with the same instructions.

---

### Stitch-Count Validation Summary
- Body increases: 6 → 12 → 18 ✓
- Even body rounds (4): all **[18]** ✓
- Body decreases: 18 → 12 → 6 ✓ (closes cleanly)
- Tail: 3 → 5 sts, split into two points ✓
- Side fins: 6-st flat ovals ×2 ✓

Enjoy your little whale! 🐋