This simple DIY leather keychain is a twisty design that requires no rivets or special leather-working equipment. It’s sort of like a topsy tail, (am I dating myself?), but with leather.
This project could also be made with vegan leather.
Disclosure: Kiyafries is reader supported. Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Leather Keychain Materials

- 2 mm thick Leather
- Here’s the exact one I used
- Xacto knife
- Ruler
- Cutting mat
- A cutting mat is really important for this project. If you’re really in a pinch, use a few layers of cardboard in place of a mat and be really careful! Secure the cardboard so its doesn’t slide.
- Key ring
How to make a Simple DIY Leather Keychain

Cut a strip of leather 9″ long and 1/2″ wide.
Use the ruler as a guide for cutting. You may have to make a few passes with the knife to cut through.

Fold the leather strip in half so the ends are matched up.

Starting about 1/2″ down from the fold, cut a slit through both layers of leather about 2 1/2″ long.

Cutting through both layers of leather will definitely take a few passes.
Once you’ve made an indent on the back layer, you can unfold the leather and finish cutting the slit into each layer separately.

Slide the keyring between the layers of leather up to the fold.

Take the ends of both layers of leather and poke them into the slit.

Keep pulling the ends through the slit. The leather will flip and create the twist design.

Trim the ends of both layers of leather at an angle to finish.

Ta da!
That’s it! Easier than it looks, right? I hope you enjoyed this craft, and that you like carrying around your snazzy new keychain.
I think this twisty method could potentially be applied to leather for a hair accessory, a bracelet, or some kind of decorative trim too!

Sympa le petit porte clé, a refaire quand j’aurai un peu de temps
Merci beaucoup!