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Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern
4.8★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.0K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a hanging Yip Yip alien made in Bernat Blanket or similar super-bulky yarn, with a wide mouth opening, fringe tentacles, and playful ping-pong eyes. You can crochet or knit the body — both options are included — then attach tentacles, make antennae, and add a removable flannel lining. The finished piece makes a great stocking, toy holder, or quirky wall-hanging.

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Step-by-step instructions cover rounds, short-rows, tentacle attachment, eye construction, and lining insertion. Includes materials, abbreviations, and helpful assembly notes to complete your Yip Yip.

Why You'll Love This Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it blends playful design with approachable construction that sparks creativity. I adore the way the fluffy yarn and bold colors give each Yip Yip a fun personality. I love offering both crochet and knit versions so you can choose your favorite technique. I enjoy how simple finishing touches like asymmetrical pupils and bent antennae bring each creature to life.

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing this pattern by changing yarn color and texture—try pastel shades for a soft nursery look or neon brights for a whimsical set.

You can make the Yip Yip larger or smaller by using a different yarn weight and adjusting hook or needle size; bulky yarn makes a chunky version while thinner yarn produces a mini version.

I sometimes swap the ping-pong eyes for crocheted or felt eyes to make a child-safe version; faux fur fabric can also make a fun fluffy lining option.

Adjust the hanging loop length by chaining more or fewer stitches (crochet) or repeating the hanging loop sequence more times (knit) to suit where you plan to hang it.

Experiment with antennae by using glitter pipe cleaners, wire wrapped in yarn, or even short knitted I-cords for sturdier shaping.

Try different tentacle styles: braid several strands together for thicker tentacles, or add bead accents for weight and sparkle.

Use contrast color around the mouth edge or add embroidered teeth for a playful expression change.

I also like to make matching mini Yip Yips as keychains using thinner yarn—just scale down the tentacle counts and use smaller ping-pong style beads.

For gifting, stitch a small pocket inside the lining to hold tiny treasures or a note, which adds a sweet surprise for the recipient.

Finally, combine techniques: knit the body but crochet the mouth edging for a mixed-media textured look that stands out.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch marker after Round 1 leads to lost rounds and confusion; place and move a marker to the first stitch of each new round to track the beginning accurately. ✗ Attaching tentacles into the wrong loops will create uneven placement; be sure to attach tentacles into the front loops of Round 9 (crochet) or the purl bumps of Round 14 (knit). ✗ Cutting tentacle strands all the same length makes the fringe look flat; vary the lengths between 8-12 inches for more natural, playful tentacles. ✗ Not reinforcing the hanging loop can cause it to tear under weight; when making the hanging loop use extra chain or knit repeats and secure with tidy seams and a few extra hand-stitches. ✗ Failing to widen ping-pong ball holes carefully risks splitting the ball; use an awl or corn pick and gradually enlarge the hole so the pipe cleaner fits without forcing it.

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

Make your own quirky hanging Yip Yip aliens with this friendly crochet and knit pattern. Youll learn simple shaping, attach playful tentacles, and finish with fun ping-pong eyes and a lined interior. Perfect for gifts, kids storage, or whimsical decor, this pattern walks you through every step from body to lining.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Bernat Blanket/Blanket Brights/Baby Blanket (100% polyester) - 220 yds/201 m per 300 g skein; 1 skein in color of your choice
  • 02
    Colors shown: Royal Blue, Pixie Pink, Pow Purple, Baby Teal, Crimson (crochet sample), Baby Lilac (knit sample)
  • 03
    Black flannel fabric, 16 inches by 24 inches for lining

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size L/8mm (also used for attaching tentacles in both crochet and knit versions)
  • 02
    US 10.5/6.5mm circular needle, 24 inches long
  • 03
    Stitch marker
  • 04
    Tapestry needle
  • 05
    2 ping pong balls
  • 06
    Black paint pen or permanent marker
  • 07
    2 pipe cleaners, 12 inches long
  • 08
    Awl, ice pick, or corn pick (for poking holes in ping pong balls)
  • 09
    Scissors
  • 10
    Sewing needle
  • 11
    Black thread

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Overview :

Info :

Any fan of late 20th century children’s public television will recognize these lovable aliens. Crochet or knit them, use them as holiday stockings, toy storage, kids’ laundry, whatever really! Yip yip yip yip uh-huh uh-huh…

— Finished Measurements :

Info :

Circumference: 25 inches Height: 14 inches (excluding tentacles & hanging loop)

— Gauge :

Info :

8 sts/8 rows = 4 inches in single crochet 8 sts/16 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

— Materials :

Info :

Bernat Blanket/Blanket Brights/Baby Blanket [100% polyester; 220yds/201m per 300g skein]; 1 skein in color of your choice; shown in Royal Blue, Pixie Pink, Pow Purple, Baby Teal, Crimson (crochet), and Baby Lilac (knit) L/8mm crochet hook (also used for attaching tentacles in both crochet and knit versions) US10.5/6.5mm circular needle, 24 inches long Stitch marker Tapestry needle 2 ping pong balls Black paint pen or permanent marker 2 pipe cleaners, 12 inches long Awl, ice pick, corn pick (for poking holes in ping pong balls) Black flannel fabric, 16 inches by 24 inches Scissors Sewing needle Black thread

— Abbreviations :

Infos :

ch = chain k2tog = knit next 2 stitches together kfb = knit into front and back of next stitch RS = right side sc = single crochet sc dec = single crochet decrease sl = slip next stitch as if to purl sm = slip marker st(s) = stitch(es) WS = wrong side wyib = with yarn in back wyif = with yarn in front

— Notes :

Info :

The body begins at the bottom center and is worked in continuous rounds to the base of the mouth opening. The sides of the mouth are worked back and forth in rows. The top of the head is finished in continuous rounds again. Then tentacles, eyes, and antennae are attached afterward, followed by the lining.

— Crochet Body :

Info :

Make a slip knot.

Round 1 :

6 sc into slip knot

Info :

Place stitch marker on first st. Move marker up to first st of each new round as you work.

Round 2 :

2 sc into each st. – 12 sts

Round 3 :

[Sc in next st, 2 sc in following st] to end. – 18 sts

Round 4 :

[Sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in following st] to end. – 24 sts

Round 5 :

[Sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in following st] to end. – 30 sts

Round 6 :

[Sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in following st] to end. – 36 sts

Round 7 :

[Sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in following st] to end. – 42 sts

Round 8 :

[Sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in following st] to end. – 48 sts

Round 9 :

Sc into back loop of each st. (The tentacles will be attached to the front loops of this round.)

Round 10 :

Sc in each st

Info :

Repeat Round 10 an additional 11 times, or until body measures 8 inches from front loops of Round 9.

Row 22 [RS] :

Sc in each of next 16 sts, turn

Row 23 [WS] :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 27 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn. – 29 sts

Row 24 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 25 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn. – 27 sts

Row 25 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 23 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn. – 25 sts

Row 26 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 21 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn. – 23 sts

Row 27 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 19 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn. – 21 sts

Row 28 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 17 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn. – 19 sts

Row 29 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 15 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn. – 17 sts

Round 30 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts (move marker to this st), sc in each of next 7 sts, ch12 (this will be the hanging loop so feel free to chain more or fewer for your desired loop length), sc in each of next 6 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, do not turn. – 15 sts (do not count hanging loop chain)

Round 31 :

Sc in first st of previous round (with the marker in it), [sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in following st] twice, sc dec in next st and first st after hanging loop chain, [sc in next st, sc dec in following 2 sts] twice. – 10 sts

Round 32 :

[Sc dec in next 2 sts] 5 times. – 5 sts

Info :

Cut yarn and tie off. Using tapestry needle, thread tail in and out of final sts and cinch closed.

Info :

Join yarn at top point of mouth opening. Work 13 sc down first side of mouth, 17 sc along bottom edge of mouth, 12 sc up second side of mouth, slip st in first st of this round. Cut yarn and tie off. Weave in ends.

— Knit Body :

Info :

CO 2 sts, slide to opposite end of needle, and place marker for beginning of round.

Round 1 :

Kfb twice. – 4 sts

Info :

Redistribute sts to use magic loop method until full circumference is achieved.

Round 2 :

Kfb 4 times. – 8 sts

Round 3 :

K to end

Round 4 :

Kfb 8 times – 16 sts

Round 5 :

K to end

Round 6 :

[K1, kfb] 8 times – 24 sts

Round 7 :

K to end

Round 8 :

[K2, kfb] 8 times – 32 sts

Round 9 :

K to end

Round 10 :

[K3, kfb] 8 times – 40 sts

Round 11 :

K to end

Round 12 :

[K4, kfb] 8 times – 48 sts

Round 13 :

K to end

Round 14 :

P to end. (The tentacles will be attached to the purl bumps of this round.)

Round 15 :

K to end

Info :

Repeat Round 15 an additional 33 times, or until body measures 8 inches from purl ridge of Round 14.

Short-row 49 [RS] :

K16, turn

Short-row 50 [WS] :

Sl1 wyif, p15, sm, p16, turn

Short-row 51 :

Sl1 wyib, k15, sm, k15, turn

Short-row 52 :

Sl1 wyif, p14, sm, p15, turn

Short-row 53 :

Sl1 wyib, k14, sm k14, turn

Short-row 54 :

Sl1 wyif, p13, sm, p14, turn

Short-row 55 :

Sl1 wyib, k13, sm, k13, turn

Short-row 56 :

Sl1 wyif, p12, sm, p13, turn

Short-row 57 :

Sl1 wyib, k12, sm, k12, turn

Short-row 58 :

Sl1 wyif, p11, sm, p12, turn

Short-row 59 :

Sl1 wyib, k11, sm, k11, turn

Short-row 60 :

Sl1 wyif, p10, sm, p11, turn

Short-row 61 :

Sl1 wyib, k10, sm, k10, turn

Short-row 62 :

Sl1 wyif, p9, sm, p10, turn

Short-row 63 :

Sl1 wyib, k9, sm, k9, turn

Short-row 64 :

Sl1 wyif, p8, sm, p9, turn

Short-row 65 :

Sl1 wyib, k8, [place last st back on left-hand needle, k1] 12 times (this will be the hanging loop so feel free to repeat more or fewer times for your desired loop length), do not turn

Info :

You should now be back to the stitch marker for the beginning of round.

Round 66 :

K9, [k1, pass previous st over] 32 times (32 sts bound off), k7. – 16 sts

Round 67 :

K8, k8 from other side of bind off to close gap

Round 68 :

K7, k2tog, k7. – 15 sts

Round 69 :

K to end

Round 70 :

[K3, k2tog] 3 times. – 12 sts

Round 71 :

K to end

Round 72 :

[K2, k2tog] 3 times. – 9 sts

Round 73 :

K to end

Round 74 :

[K1, k2tog] 3 times. – 6 sts

Info :

Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Using tapestry needle, thread tail through final sts, cinch closed, and tie off. Weave in ends.

— Tentacles :

Step 1 :

Cut 48 strands of yarn roughly 8-12 inches long. There’s no need to be precise. In fact, variable length for the tentacles is better.

Step 2 :

Insert crochet hook upward through one of the front loops not used in Round 9 (crochet version) or the purl bumps of Round 14 (knit version).

Step 3 :

Fold a strand in half roughly (again, no need to be precise). Grab the middle with your hook and pull it through.

Step 4 :

Grab both tails with hook and pull through loop.

Step 5 :

Gently pull to tighten. Repeat Steps 2-5 with each strand and each front loop or purl bump around the body.

— Eyes & Antennae :

Step 1 :

Using a sharp implement, carefully poke a small hole in a ping pong ball. Wiggle it around to widen the hole a bit.

Step 2 :

Poke a second hole about 1/2 inch away from the first. Widen this hole as well until you can stick the tool in one hole and out the other.

Step 3 :

Feed one end of a pipe cleaner through the holes. You may have to bend the end slightly.

Step 4 :

Pull about an inch of pipe cleaner out the other side.

Step 5 :

Repeat Steps 1-4 with a second ping pong ball and pipe cleaner.

Step 6 :

Poke the short end of both pipe cleaners through the fabric on either side of the top of the head.

Step 7 :

Twist the ends of the pipe cleaners together on the underside of the fabric.

Step 8 :

Feed the long end of both pipe cleaners through the fabric near where you poked through the short ends in Step 6, but not in the exact same place.

Step 9 :

Twist the ends of the pipe cleaners together a couple times on the underside of the fabric. Then feed them back up through the same holes as in Step 8.

Step 10 :

Bend antennae into desired shape.

Step 11 :

Using a paint pen or permanent marker, draw pupils on each ping pong ball. Once again, there is no need to be precise as a little asymmetry will give your Yip Yip that delightfully wacky expression.

— Lining :

Step 1 :

Fold lining fabric in half widthwise.

Step 2 :

With the folded edge to the left, cut a 3-inch square from each of the bottom corners, cutting through both layers of fabric.

Step 3 :

Measure 4 inches down from the top right corner and cut inward 4 inches through both layers. Then measure 7 inches across from the top right corner and cut downward at an angle to meet the stopping point of your previous cut.

Step 4 :

Either by hand or with a sewing machine, sew across the top flat edge, the right edge, and the bottom edge.

Step 5 :

Pinch the fabric of each bottom corner so that the bottom seam meets the side seam on the right side and the bottom seam meets the original fold on the left side. Sew both corners closed.

Step 6 :

Insert the lining, with seams facing outward, into the body. There is no need to fold over the top edge of the lining fabric if you used flannel or another non-fraying fabric. Hand-sew around the mouth opening using short, straight stitches. The black thread should not be visible from the outside if you used a fluffy yarn like the original sample.

Step 7 :

Hang your finished Yip Yip in a place of honor for all to admire.

Assembly Instructions

  • Join yarn at top point of mouth opening and work 13 sc down first side of mouth, 17 sc along bottom edge of mouth, then 12 sc up second side of mouth; slip stitch in first stitch, cut yarn, and weave in ends.
  • Attach tentacles into the front loops of Round 9 (crochet) or into the purl bumps of Round 14 (knit) by folding each strand in half, pulling the loop through the loop with a hook, and drawing the tails through and tightening.
  • Make eyes by poking holes in ping pong balls, feeding a pipe cleaner through each ball, and poking the short ends through the top of the head; twist the pipe cleaner ends under the fabric and then feed the long ends back through and shape antennae.
  • Insert lining (seams outward) into the body, hand-sew around the mouth opening with short, straight stitches so the black thread is not visible, and sew bottom corners closed as described in lining instructions.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round and move it up each round to avoid losing track of the beginning.
  • 💡Attach tentacles to the specified loops (front loops for crochet Round 9 or purl bumps for knit Round 14) to ensure even placement around the body.
  • 💡When making holes in ping pong balls, poke and widen gradually with an awl or ice pick to avoid splitting the ball.

Bring a smile to any room with these playful Yip Yip aliens—made in soft, snuggly Bernat Blanket yarn and bursting with personality. Theyre perfect as holiday stockings, toy organizers, or quirky wall-hangings, and each one is a little different depending on your color and eye placement choices. Make a whole family of Yip Yips in bright colors for a cheerful display! 🧶🎉

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished Yip Yip measures approximately 14 inches tall with a 25 inch circumference, excluding tentacles and hanging loop as specified in Finished Measurements.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will change the finished size; adjust hook or needle size accordingly and check gauge before proceeding.

Do I need prior crochet or knitting experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so familiarity with basic crochet (single crochet, increases, decreases) or basic knitting (knit, purl, kfb, k2tog, short-rows) is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crafters complete this project in 5-7 hours, though time varies depending on whether you crochet or knit, and how long finishing and assembly take.

How many tentacle strands do I need and how long should they be?

Cut approximately 48 strands of yarn roughly 8-12 inches long; varying strand lengths will give the tentacles a more lively, natural look.