Crochet Halloween Character Buddies

I’m sharing the Halloween Character Buddies, a set of four Halloween keychain patterns (which you can also use as bag charms). The set includes a black cat, a pumpkin, a Frankenstein’s monster, and a ghost. These patterns were originally released in three parts as the fourteenth Weekend Mystery Crochet Along with Underground Crafter.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links.

On a recent trip to JOANN, I came across Big Twist Petite yarn for the first time. If you’re new to Big Twist Petite, it’s smaller skeins of just 1.41 ounces (40 grams) of yarns. When the Slime, Orange Bright, and Black came into view, I knew these would be perfect for a set of crochet Halloween keychain patterns. I decided to grab a skein of Ivory, too, and found some keyrings with lobster clasps.

These days, a lot of folks prefer bag charms to keychains, and this set can be used for either. Just keep in mind that the lobster clasp should be big enough for the zipper hardware on your bag (or large enough for your belt loop, or… well, you get the idea). Because I’m a cat lover and the currently share a home with two beautiful black cats, the Black Cat Buddy was my first creation. (If you’re looking for a bigger black cat pal, try the free crochet pattern for the Black Cat Softie! I also have a free crochet Black Cat Treat Bag pattern.)

Since I had already used the Orange Bright for the Black Cat Buddy, I decided to make the Pumpkin Buddy next. He has a different vibe — a tad more cheery — at least in my version.

And then, since I had already used the Slime, I knew the Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy would have to be next. Don’t tell the others, but he ended up as my favorite. (If you’re a monster fan, you may also enjoy the free pattern for the Friendly Baby Frankenstein’s Monster or the Frankenstein’s Monster Beanie!)

I debated whether the final pattern would be a skeleton or ghost for a bit. I decided on this friendly Ghost Buddy for the finale. (If you’re looking for a larger ghost pal, check out the free pattern for the Gentle Ghost Softie!)

I hope you enjoy this set of crochet Halloween keychain patterns!

If you make your own Halloween Character Buddies (Bag Charms or Keychains), I’d love to see them! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Bluesky as @UndergroundCrafter, Facebook as @UndergroundCrafter, or on Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Halloween Character Buddies (Bag Charms or Keychains)

Crochet Halloween Keychain Patterns by Underground Crafter

This set of four crochet Halloween keychain patterns (which can also be used as bag charms) include a black cat, a pumpkin, a Frankenstein’s monster, and a ghost. This set was originally released in 3 parts as the fourteenth Weekend Mystery Crochet Along with Underground Crafter.

Finished Sizes

• Black Cat Buddy: 1.5” (4 cm) diameter after stuffing.
• Pumpkin Buddy: 2.5” (6.5 cm) diameter after stuffing.
• Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy: 2.75” (7 cm) diameter after stuffing.
• Ghost Buddy: 2” (5 cm) diameter after stuffing.

Materials

• Big Twist Petite yarn (100% acrylic, 1.41 oz/40 g, 87 yd/80 m) – 1 skein each in Black (CA), Orange Bright (CB), Slime (CC), and Ivory (CD), or approximately 87 yd (80 m) each in CA, CB, CC, and CD in any medium weight yarn.
• US Size E-4/3.5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
• Locking stitch markers.
• Yarn needle.
  • I used the Ctcwsh ergonomic crochet hook set with stitch markers and yarn needles for my version.
• Fiber filling.
• Safety eyes – 4 pairs. I used 3 pairs of 6mm black round eyes from the MUCUNNIA 528-piece set and 1 pair of 12mm green cat safety eyes from the MUCUNNIA 80-piece set.  
• Keyring with lobster clasp – 4 sets.

Gauge

• Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern. Stitches should be small so fiber filling doesn’t show.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• 3L – third loop only – A helpful video demonstrating how to identify the third loop in crochet is available below.

• If you can’t see the video above demonstrating how to identify the third loop, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• BL – back loop only – Rich Textures Crochet has a helpful video demonstrating how to identify the back loop in crochet here.
• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• CC – Color C
• CD – Color D
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• invdec – invisible decrease – Insert hook in front loop only of each of next 2 sts, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. A helpful invdec video tutorial is available below.

• If you can’t see the invdec video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• pm# – place marker #
• rep – repeat
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sc – sc2tog – [Insert hook in next st, yo and draw up a loop] twice, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook. A helpful sc2tog video tutorial is available below.

• If you can’t see the invdec video above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• yo – yarn over
• [] – Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

• Ch 1 at start and sl st at end of Rows and Rounds DO NOT count as stitches.
• Oombawka Design Crochet has helpful photo and video tutorials for the magic ring here.
• Helpful video tutorials for embroidery stitches for embellishment on crochet, including the back stitch and satin stitch, are available at the end of this pattern.
• A helpful video tutorial demonstrating the slip stitch seam is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial for the slip stitch seam above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• A helpful photo tutorial demonstrating the whipstitch seam is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial for the whipstitch seam above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• A helpful video tutorial demonstrating the single crochet seam is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial for the single crochet seam above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.

Black Cat Buddy Crochet Halloween Keychain Pattern

Black Cat Buddy Pattern Note

• The Black Cat Buddy uses approximately 20 yd (18.5 m) in CA and 10 yd (9 m) in CB in Big Twist Petite yarn and 1 pair of 12 mm green cat safety eyes.

Add the Black Cat Buddy to your favorites or queue, or buy the ad-free PDF on Ravelry.

Black Cat Buddy Instructions

Black Cat Buddy – Ears (Make 2)

• With CA and starting with a long yarn tail (approximately 12”/30.5 cm) for seaming, ch 5.
• Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next 4 ch. (4 sts)
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog in first 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts. (3 sts)
• Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog in first 2 sts, sc in next st. (2 sts)
• Row 4: Turn, ch 1, sc2tog in first 2 sts. (1 st)
• Fasten off. With yarn needle, weave in ends from final Row. Set Ears aside.

Black Cat Buddy – Head

• With CA, start with magic adjustable ring (see Pattern Notes) at top of Head.
• Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, pm#1 in last st and move up each Round to mark position, tighten magic ring to close. (6 sts)
• Rnd 2:  2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around. (18 sts)
• Rnd 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] around. Pm#2 around any st on Rnd 3 to mark position for safety eyes. (24 sts)
• Rnd 5: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] around. (30 sts)
• Position safety eyes on Rnd marked with marker#2. When satisfied with position, secure by attaching washers firmly inside of Head. Remove marker#2. Weave in yarn tail from start of Head on inside, or secure firmly with knots on inside of Head.

• Rnd 6: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts] around. (36 sts)
• Rnd 7: Sc around.
• Rnd 8: [Invdec, sc in next 4 sts] around. (30 sts)
• Rnd 9: [Invdec, sc in next 3 sts] around. (24 sts)
• Cut a strand in CB approximately 18” (45.5 cm) long. Thread yarn needle with CB. Insert needle from the inside out below the center of first eye approximately 2 rows below bottom of eyes, insert needle across the next 3 sts on same Rnd (or to below center of second eye on same Rnd). Rep 5 times to form Nose. (This is similar to the embroidery satin stitch – see Pattern Notes.) Do not fasten off. Use the embroidery back stitch (see Pattern Notes) to create Mouth lines. End with CB on inside of face and secure firmly with knots on inside of Head.  

• Thread yarn needle with long CA yarn tail from first Ear. Using whipstitch (see Pattern Notes), join first Ear to top of Head. Weave in ends on inside of Head or secure firmly with knots on inside of Head. Rep for second Ear.

• Rnd 10: [Invdec, sc in next 2 sts] around. (18 sts)
• To attach keyring, secure the current loop by inserting marker #1 into loop. Remove crochet hook from stitch. Find a stitch centered between Eyes on back of Head and insert crochet hook into identified stitch to hold position. Open keyring and slide through stitch, using hook to keep the stitch loose until the keyring is fully inserted. Remove crochet hook.

• Stuff Head firmly. Reinsert crochet hook into marked loop. Pm#1 into last stitch and continue crocheting.

• Rnd 11: [Invdec, sc in next st] around. (12 sts)
• Rnd 12: Invdec around. (6 sts)
• Remove marker#1, fasten off with long yarn tail (approximately 12”/30.5 cm) for seaming. Seam closed with whipstitch (see Pattern Notes). Weave in yarn tails on inside.
• You now have a Black Cat Buddy bag charm or keyring!

Pumpkin Buddy Crochet Halloween Keychain Pattern

Pumpkin Buddy Pattern Note

• The Pumpkin Buddy uses approximately 1 yd (1 m) in CA, 20 yd (18.5 m) in CB, and 10 yd (9 m) in CC in Big Twist Petite yarn and 1 pair of 6 mm black safety eyes.

Add the Pumpkin Buddy to your favorites or queue, or buy the ad-free PDF on Ravelry.

Pumpkin Buddy Instructions

Pumpkin Buddy – Head

• With CB, ch 15.
• Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, slstBL in next 2 ch, scBL in next 2 ch, hdcBL in next 6 ch, scBL in next 2 ch, slstBL in next 2 ch. (14 sts)
• Row 2: Turn, ch 1 slstBL in first 2 sts, scBL in next 2 sts, hdcBL in next 6 sts, scBL in next 2 sts, slstBL in next 2 sts.
• Rep Row 2 until piece measures approximately 4” (10 cm) across at the widest part when laid flat. Do not fasten off.

• Designate one side as right (front) side. Find the ridge closest to the center on right side and position safety eyes at first hdc in the valleys surrounding the center ridge. When satisfied with position, secure by attaching washers firmly on the wrong side.

• Cut a strand in CA approximately 12” (30.5 cm) long. Thread yarn needle with CA. Use the embroidery back stitch (see Pattern Notes) to create Mouth. Secure CA firmly with knots on wrong side.  

• Continuing with crochet hook, join across first and last rows with a slip stitch seam (see Pattern Notes). Fasten off (with long yarn tail if seam ends at bottom, or cut a strand in CB approximately 18”/45.5 cm long if seam ends at top). Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail or strand of CB and cinch bottom edge closed by weaving yarn needle through each stitch on bottom edge. Slowly tighten yarn tail to pull bottom closed. (You can find a video tutorial for cinching using a slouchy hat as an example here.) DO NOT seam the top closed. Weave in any remaining yarn tails or secure with knots on inside.

• Stuff firmly.

Pumpkin Buddy – Stem

• Rnd 1: Join CC with sl st to side of any row at top, ch 1, starting in side of same row, evenly sc2tog around, pm#1 in last st to mark position and begin working in Rounds, moving marker up each Round. (I had 10 sts at the end of this Rnd, but you may have more or less depending on how many Rows you had to crochet to reach 4”/10 cm. You should be sure that you are capturing the side of each row with your stitches.)

• Rnd 2: Invdec around until 7 sts remain. (If necessary, continue decreasing for an additional Rnd until you have just 7 sts.)
• Rnd 3: Sc in each st around.
• Rnds 4-5: Rep Rnd 3 twice, invdec to bring stitch count to 6 sts. Remove marker#1.
• Fasten off CC with long yarn tail (approximately 8”/20.5 cm) for seaming.
• Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail in CC and join top of stem with whipstitch seam (see Pattern Notes).
• To attach keyring, find a stitch at top of stem and insert crochet hook into identified stitch to hold position. Open keyring and slide through stitch, using hook to keep the stitch loose until the keyring is fully inserted. Remove crochet hook.
• You now have a Pumpkin Buddy bag charm or keyring!

Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy Crochet Halloween Keychain Pattern

Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy Pattern Note

• Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy uses approximately 10 yd (9 m) in CA, 20 yd (18.5 m) in CC, and 1 yd (1 m) in CD in Big Twist Petite yarn and 1 pair of 6 mm black safety eyes.

Add the Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy to your favorites or queue, or buy the ad-free PDF on Ravelry.

Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy Instructions

Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy – Head

• With CC, start with magic adjustable ring (see Pattern Notes) at bottom of Head.
• Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, pm#1 in last st and move up each Round to mark position, tighten magic ring to close. (6 sts)
• Rnd 2:  2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around. (18 sts)
• Rnd 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] around. (24 sts)
• Rnd 5: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] around. (30 sts)
• Rnd 6: Sc in each st around.
• Rnds 7-11: Rep Rnd 6, 5 times. Pm#2 around any st on Rnd 10 to mark position for safety eyes.
• Rnd 12: Rep Rnd 6 once. Fasten off CC.
• Position safety eyes on Rnd marked with marker#2. When satisfied with position, secure by attaching washers firmly inside of Head. Remove marker#2.

• Cut a strand in CD approximately 18” (45.5 cm) long. Thread yarn needle with CD.
• To form first Neck Bolt, insert needle from the inside out approximately 5 sts outside of first eye and 1 row down, insert needle across the next 1 st on Rnd above or below. Working up and down, rep 5 times. (This is similar to the embroidery satin stitch – see Pattern Notes.) Do not fasten off. To form Nose, insert needle from inside out approximately 2 rows below eyes. Working side to side and across 2 sts between eyes, bring needle up and down, rep 5 times. Do not fasten off. To form second Neck Bolt, insert needle from the inside out approximately 5 sts outside of second eye and 1 row down, insert needle across the next 1 st on Rnd above or below. Working up and down, rep 5 times. Do not fasten off. To form Scar Tissue Mouth, position 3 embroidery cross stitches (see Pattern Notes) approximately 1 row below Nose and centered on face.  End with CD on inside of face and secure firmly with knots on inside of Head.  

Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy – Hair

• With CA, rep through Rnd 5 for this pattern. Do not fasten off. Remove stitch marker.

• Stuff firmly. Position piece in CA above stuffed piece with seams at back. Join with single crochet seam (see Pattern Notes).

• Fasten off and weave in yarn tails on inside.
• To attach keyring, find a stitch centered at top of Head and insert crochet hook into identified stitch to hold position. Open keyring and slide through stitch, using hook to keep the stitch loose until the keyring is fully inserted. Remove crochet hook.
• You now have a Frankenstein’s Monster Buddy bag charm or keyring!

Ghost Buddy Crochet Halloween Keychain Pattern

Ghost Buddy Pattern Note

• The Ghost Buddy uses approximately 1 yd (1 m) in CA and 30 yd (27.5 m) in CD in Big Twist Petite yarn and 1 pair of 6 mm black safety eyes.

Add the Ghost Buddy to your favorites or queue, or buy the ad-free PDF on Ravelry.

Ghost Buddy Instructions (Updated 10/31/2025)

• Ghost Buddy – Body
• With CD, start with magic adjustable ring (see Pattern Notes) at top.
• Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, pm#1 in last st and move up each Round to mark position, tighten magic ring to close. (6 sts)
• Rnd 2:  2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
• Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around. (18 sts)
• Rnd 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] around. (24 sts)
• Rnd 5: Sc in each st around.
• Rnds 6-7: Rep Rnd 5 twice. Pm#2 around any st on Rnd 6 to mark position for safety eyes.
• Rnds 8-9: Rep Rnd 5 twice.
• Position safety eyes on Rnd marked with marker#2. When satisfied with position, secure by attaching washers firmly inside of Head. Remove marker#2.

• Rnds 10-13: Rep Rnd 5, 4 times. Fasten off CD.
• Cut a strand in CA approximately 12” (30.5 cm) long. Thread yarn needle with CA. Use the embroidery back stitch (see Pattern Notes) to create Mouth. Secure CA firmly with knots on inside. Stuff firmly with fiber filling.

Bottom

• With CD, rep through Rnd 4 for this pattern. Do not fasten off. Remove stitch marker. Position Bottom above stuffed Body with seams at back.

• Join with single crochet seam (see Pattern Notes), join with sl st to first sc.
• Final Rnd: Turn, ch 1, starting in same st, [sc in next st, ch 2] around, join with sl st to first sc.
• Fasten off and weave in yarn tails on inside.
• To attach keyring, find a stitch centered at top of Head and insert crochet hook into identified stitch to hold position. Open keyring and slide through stitch, using hook to keep the stitch loose until the keyring is fully inserted. Remove crochet hook.
• You now have a Ghost Buddy bag charm or keyring!

© 2024 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2024/08/02/weekend-mystery-cal-14/. Thanks for supporting indie designers!