This key holder is a cream single crochet oval with a simple olive green sprig across the front. It has a rope-like green edge, a small hanging loop at the top and three brass hooks across the bottom, so keys always have a home by the door.
The colors are plain on purpose. A warm cream background and one muted olive green give it a calm, natural look that suits Scandinavian, farmhouse or plant-filled rooms. The leaves are separate appliqués sewn onto the surface, so they sit slightly raised and catch the light.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished oval measures 8.25 x 11.25 in (21.0 x 28.6 cm), plus a 1.25 in (3.2 cm) hanging loop.
How it’s made: You crochet one oval in joined rounds of single crochet around a foundation chain. Then you add a two-round green border and the hanging loop. Next you make six leaf appliqués, slip stitch the stem onto the surface and sew the leaves in place. Last, you stiffen the piece with a plastic canvas backing and sew on the hooks.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 8.25 x 11.25 in (21.0 x 28.6 cm), not counting the loop
- Skill level: Easy to intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4), cotton or a cotton blend
- Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8)
- Number of pieces: 1 oval body + 6 leaf appliqués
- Layout: A single oval with the long side vertical; this is not a grid of joined pieces
- Body size before border: 7.25 x 10.25 in (18.4 x 26.0 cm)
- Border depth: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) on every side
Materials
Use a smooth, firm worsted cotton. It gives crisp stitches and holds its shape when keys hang from it. Acrylic will also work, but it stretches more under weight.
- Cream (body): 85 g, about 145 m (159 yd)
- Olive green (border, loop, stem, leaves): 25 g, about 43 m (47 yd)
These amounts assume yarn of roughly 170 m (186 yd) per 100 g and include a margin of about 15%.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 2 stitch markers
- 2 sheets of 7-count plastic canvas
- 3 brass single wall hooks, about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall, each with two screw holes
- Strong upholstery or button thread, plus a sharp sewing needle
- Scissors, measuring tape and blocking pins
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- rnd: round
- rev sc: reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
Reverse single crochet (rev sc): Keep the right side facing you and work from left to right (right-handed). Insert the hook into the next stitch to the right, yarn over, pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. This makes the twisted, rope-like edge.
Surface slip stitch: Hold the yarn behind the work. Insert the hook from front to back through the fabric, pull up a loop, then pull it through the loop already on the hook.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc x 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm). That works out to 4 stitches and 4 rounds per 1 in (2.5 cm).
There is only one body, so the body is your test piece. Work Rounds 1–5, lay the piece flat and measure it before you go on.
Checkpoints:
- After Rnd 1: about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long
- After Rnd 5: 2.25 x 5.25 in (5.7 x 13.3 cm)
- After Rnd 10: 4.75 x 7.75 in (12.1 x 19.7 cm)
- After Rnd 15: 7.25 x 10.25 in (18.4 x 26.0 cm)
- After the border: 8.25 x 11.25 in (21.0 x 28.6 cm)
If it’s too big: go down 0.5 mm in hook size and start again.
If it’s too small: go up 0.5 mm in hook size.
If it cups (the edges curl up), your rounds are tighter than your stitches. Loosen your tension slightly rather than adding increases.
If it ripples (the edges wave), tighten up or go down a hook size.
Oval Body (Cream)
The oval is a straight center section with two rounded ends. Each straight side keeps 12 stitches all the way through. Each rounded end gains 3 stitches per round, so every round adds 6 stitches in total. For any round number n, each end has 3n stitches and the round total is 24 + 6n.
Join every round with a sl st to the first sc. The beginning ch 1 never counts as a stitch. End A (where each round starts) will be the top of the key holder.
Foundation: With cream, ch 15.
Rnd 1: Work 3 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook (this is End A). Sc in each of the next 12 ch. Work 3 sc in the last ch (End B). Rotate the work and, along the underside of the chain, sc in each of the next 12 ch. Join. (30 sts: 3 + 12 + 3 + 12)
Rnd 2: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each of the next 3 sts, then sc in the next 12 sts. Repeat from * once more. Join. (36 sts: 6 per end, 12 per side)
Rnd 3: Ch 1. (Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st) 3 times, then sc in the next 12 sts. Repeat from * once more. Join. (42 sts: 9 per end)
Rnds 4–15: Every round follows the same pattern. Here n is the round number:
Ch 1. (Sc in the next n − 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st) 3 times, then sc in the next 12 sts. Repeat from * once more. Join.
On Rnd 4, for example, you work “sc in the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st” each time.
Stitch counts for each round:
| Rnd | Per end | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 12 | 48 |
| 5 | 15 | 54 |
| 6 | 18 | 60 |
| 7 | 21 | 66 |
| 8 | 24 | 72 |
| 9 | 27 | 78 |
| 10 | 30 | 84 |
| 11 | 33 | 90 |
| 12 | 36 | 96 |
| 13 | 39 | 102 |
| 14 | 42 | 108 |
| 15 | 45 | 114 |
Fasten off cream after Rnd 15 and weave in the ends.
Tip: If you prefer rounder ends without corner points, use the same total number of increases but move them by 1–2 stitches on alternate rounds. The stitch counts do not change.
Check: The body should now measure 7.25 x 10.25 in (18.4 x 26.0 cm). The rounded end on the right side is about 3 in (7.6 cm) of straight section plus the width of the oval.
Border (Olive Green)
Border gauge: The border keeps the body gauge of 4 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm).
Why the math works: After Rnd 16 the oval is 7.75 in (19.7 cm) wide. Its outline measures 3 in + 3 in for the two straight sides, plus π × 7.75 in for the two rounded ends, which comes to about 30.35 in (77.1 cm). At 4 stitches per inch, that edge needs about 121 stitches. Rnd 16 has 120, so the edge lies flat without ruffling or pulling in.
Rnd 16: Join green with a sl st in the first st of the round (End A). Ch 1. (Sc in the next 14 sts, 2 sc in the next st) 3 times, then sc in the next 12 sts. Repeat from * once more. Join. (120 sts: 48 per end, 12 per side)
Rnd 17: Ch 1. Work rev sc in each st around. Join. (120 rev sc: 48 per end, 12 per side)
Do not fasten off.
Hanging loop: Fold the oval in half lengthwise and put a marker at the center top of End A. Sl st along the edge to the marked stitch. Ch 10, then sl st into the same stitch to form a ring. Work 16 sc into the ring and sl st into the base. Fasten off.
The loop stands about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall.
Check: The oval should now measure 8.25 x 11.25 in (21.0 x 28.6 cm). The border adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) per round on every side, for a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) border.
Leaf Appliqués (Olive Green)
Each leaf is worked around both sides of a short chain, with a pointed tip at the far end. Leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail on each leaf for sewing.
Large leaf (make 4): Ch 10. The 9 working chains are numbered 1–9, starting from the 2nd ch from the hook.
- Sc in ch 1, hdc in ch 2, dc in chs 3–6, hdc in ch 7, sc in ch 8.
- In ch 9, work (sc, ch 2, sc). This is the tip.
- Working along the underside: sc in ch 8, hdc in ch 7, dc in chs 6–3, hdc in ch 2, sc in ch 1.
- Join with a sl st to the first sc.
(18 sts + 1 ch-2 tip)
Size: about 2.5 x 1.25 in (6.4 x 3.2 cm).
Small leaf (make 2): Ch 8. The 7 working chains are numbered 1–7.
- Sc in ch 1, hdc in ch 2, dc in chs 3–5, hdc in ch 6.
- In ch 7, work (sc, ch 2, sc).
- Working along the underside: hdc in ch 6, dc in chs 5–3, hdc in ch 2, sc in ch 1.
- Join.
(14 sts + 1 ch-2 tip)
Size: about 2 x 1 in (5.1 x 2.5 cm).
Stem and Leaf Placement
Lay the oval right side up with the loop at the top. All measurements below are taken from the bottom edge of the cream body.
1. Stem: Join green from the back at 3.25 in (8.3 cm) up, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) left of center. Surface slip stitch upward in a gentle curve, working 1 stitch per sc round. End at 9.25 in (23.5 cm) up, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) right of center. The stem is about 6 in (15.2 cm) long.
2. Leaf pairs: Center each pair on the stem, with one leaf on each side and the tips angled up and outward at about 45°.
- Bottom pair (2 large leaves): base at 4.5 in (11.4 cm)
- Middle pair (2 large leaves): base at 6.25 in (15.9 cm)
- Top pair (2 small leaves): base at 8 in (20.3 cm)
3. Sewing: Pin the leaves first. Then whipstitch around each leaf’s outer loops with its tail, catching only the front half of the cream stitches.
Backing and Hooks
1. Cut two ovals of plastic canvas, each 6.75 x 9.75 in (17.1 x 24.8 cm). Stack them.
2. Mark the hook positions on the front of the oval: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) up from the body’s bottom edge, at the center and 2.25 in (5.7 cm) to each side of it. At that height the oval is about 6.2 in (15.7 cm) wide, which leaves more than 0.75 in (1.9 cm) of clearance on the outer hooks.
3. Place the canvas behind the body. Sew each hook through its screw holes using doubled upholstery thread, passing through the crochet and both canvas layers 4–5 times per hole.
4. Whipstitch the canvas edge to the back of Rnd 13 with cream yarn.
Final Blocking
- Before adding the backing, spray the oval with water until it is damp but not soaked.
- Pin it to 8.25 x 11.25 in (21.0 x 28.6 cm) on a blocking mat, with the hanging loop pinned straight up.
- Press the rev sc border flat with your fingers so it rolls evenly.
- Let it dry completely, which takes 12–24 hours.
- Unpin it, then add the leaves, stem, backing and hooks.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] Body is 7.25 x 10.25 in (18.4 x 26.0 cm) after Rnd 15
- [ ] Rnd 15 has 114 sts and Rnd 16 has 120 sts
- [ ] Finished oval is 8.25 x 11.25 in (21.0 x 28.6 cm)
- [ ] Border lies flat with no ruffles
- [ ] Hanging loop is centered on the top end
- [ ] Stem curves smoothly and has no puckers
- [ ] Six leaves are sewn flat, top pair smallest
- [ ] Hooks are level, 2.25 in (5.7 cm) apart, and firm when tugged
- [ ] All ends are woven in on the back
Troubleshooting
Ends look pointed: Your increases are stacking in the same spots. Move them by 1–2 stitches on alternate rounds.
Oval curls into a bowl: Your tension is too tight. Go up a hook size or loosen your rounds.
Border ruffles: The rev sc is too loose. Go down a hook size for Rnd 17 only.
Stem puckers the fabric: Make the surface slip stitches longer and looser.
Leaves curl up: Steam-block them flat before sewing.
Hooks sag: Add stitches through both canvas layers, or use a third canvas layer.
Care
Spot clean only with a damp cloth and mild soap. The hooks and backing make the piece unsuitable for machine washing.
Final Notes
The measurements build on each other in a straight chain:
- Gauge is 16 sc x 16 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm).
- Rnd 15 gives a 7.25 x 10.25 in (18.4 x 26.0 cm) body with 114 sts.
- The 120-st border adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm) on every side, for a finished 8.25 x 11.25 in (21.0 x 28.6 cm) oval.
If you hit each checkpoint, the leaves, stem and hooks will land exactly where they should.
Happy crocheting!