Every now and again, when I finish up with a few big projects in a row, I like to relax with something small and simple. Usually, that means making a fun little keychain to add to my fruit keychain collection! (You can check out the other fruit keychains here: apple, pineapple, avocado, and watermelon. I also made a pumpkin using the apple pattern!).
My tiny pineapple keychain has been going strong on my car keys for over a year now! Although it is getting a bit ratty and dirty. So it might be time to replace it with one of these citrus cuties.
Let’s get started! (Or Pin for later!)
This pattern is made up of two pieces, which are worked in the round and then crocheted together to make one slice of fruit. The finished measurements of each one are approximately 7cm/2.5″.
Here’s what I used:
**If you’d prefer a downloadable or printable version of this pattern, an inexpensive, formatted, and ad-free PDF can be purchased HERE.**
- 3.5mm hook (I use THESE hooks!);
- Bernat Handicrafter in White;
- Light weight yarn in white for the wedge sections (or, alternatively, white crochet or embroidery thread);
- Black crochet thread for mouth and eyes (or, alternatively, 8mm or 9mm safety eyes);
- For the Lime:
- For the Orange:
- Bernat Handicrafter in Hot Orange;
- Loops & Threads Impeccable in Orange Crush.
- For the Lemon:
- For the Grapefruit:
- Loops & Threads Impeccable in Rich Orchid;
- Bernat Handicrafter in Hot Orange.
- Keychain ring;
- Tapestry needle
Stitches and Special Terms (US Terminology):
MR – Magic Ring
Ch – Chain
Beg – Beginning
Sc – Single crochet
Inc – Increase. Work 2 sc in the same st.
Hdc – Half double crochet
Fruit Slice (make 2 panels) with 3.5mm hook:
The panels are worked in joined rounds (i.e. not continuously). When switching colours after a round, I find a seamless transition is easiest when you join the last round with your new colour, then ch 1 and continue in the new colour.
Start in White.
Rnd 1: MR 6 sc (6 sts), join to beg st with your next colour (see below) and ch 1 with the new colour.
Rounds 2 and 3 will be completed with the flesh colour for whatever fruit you’re making (for the lime, this will be Hot Green, for the orange it will be Hot Orange, for the lemon, Pale Yellow, and for the grapefruit, Rich Orchid)
Rnd 2: [2Hdc] in each st around (12 sts), join and ch 1
Rnd 3: [Hdc, 2hdc], repeat [ ] around (18 sts), join with White and ch 1 in White.
Rnd 4: In White, [Sc 2, inc], repeat [ ] around (24 sts), join with peel colour (see below) and ch 1.
Round 5 is completed in the peel colour. For the lime this will be Guacamole, for the orange, Orange Crush, for the lemon, Mustard, and for the grapefruit, Hot Orange.
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc], repeat [ ] around (30 sts).
Join to first st and tie off. Repeat all of the above for the back panel.
Move on to assembly below!
Assembly:
Step 1: Sections and Face
The first thing we need to do is add our wedge sections to each panel. With your tapestry needle and light weight yarn in white, make 8 stitches going from the outside of the MR to round 4.
I found the easiest way to make sure they’re even is to make one stitch, then make the same stitch on the opposite side. Then turn and do the same (like you are making a cross) and then turn it again and repeat. Repeat for the back panel.
Next, add your eyes and mouth. I used 8mm and 9mm safety eyes, as well as black crochet thread to stitch on happy eyes (and sour eyes on the lemon!)
Step 2: Attaching
Time to join! You will have two fruit slices now, one with a face and one without.
Place the two panels together, matching up all sides.
**Make sure the front (the side with the face) is facing you as you crochet around the outside.**
Starting anywhere, begin attaching the panels together by chaining one and single crocheting around the outside of the panels in the peel colour.
I didn’t bother stuffing them (all those yarn tails made for pretty good stuffing!), but feel free to do so if you want them to be a bit more cushiony!
Close with a slst to first st and tie off. Poke the yarn tails back inside the piece. Add a keyring.
That’s it! Enjoy!
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Aww!! These are so adorable, Jillian! 😀
Hello, thank you for the cool pattern!
What does joined rounds mean? Two strains at the same time?
Greetings from Germany
It means to close the round by slip stitching in the first st of the round and chaining 1 to start the next round (not continuous rounds).
These are so adorable! They are on the top of my “to-crochet” list! 🙂
These are absolutely adorable!