🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern
4.2★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.5K 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 whimsical hanging Yip Yip — a soft, alien-like companion made in Bernat Blanket-style yarn. You can choose crochet or knit construction, attach playful tentacles, add pipe-cleaner antennae with ping pong ball eyes, and finish with a fabric lining. The design is versatile for holiday stockings, toy storage, or bright room decor.

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

Includes full materials, abbreviations, and step-by-step instructions for both crochet and knit versions. Detailed directions show how to add tentacles, create the eyes and antennae, and sew in a removable lining.

Why You'll Love This Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it sparks creativity with simple, playful details like tentacles and goofy eyes that bring personality to every Yip Yip. I enjoy offering both crochet and knit options so you can pick the technique you prefer. I appreciate how quickly one piece comes together using plush blanket yarn — the texture is perfect for a soft, squishy body. I also love that the construction includes a removable lining and clear assembly steps, making the finished piece tidy and durable.

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 these Yip Yips by varying color palettes — try ombre shades, two-tone bodies, or neutral tones for a modern look.

Change the size by selecting a different yarn weight and matching hook or needle; bulky yarn makes a chunkier, larger Yip Yip while lighter yarn creates a smaller, more delicate version.

Swap the ping pong eyes for safety eyes or felt circles to create a different expression and texture for your Yip Yip.

Add embroidery details like tiny teeth, freckles, or a stitched mouth to personalize each character's personality.

Use metallic or glitter yarn for one or more tentacles to give a festive sparkle for holiday decorations and ornaments.

Make a set of coordinating Yip Yips in a rainbow of colors to hang as a playful wall display or mobile for a child's room.

Try stuffing the body slightly and skipping the lining for a softer, plush version if you do not need the finished interior to be black or structured.

Attach small bells or jingle discs to some tentacles for a musical, interactive friend that delights small children.

Experiment with different hanging loop lengths and placements so your Yip Yip can be door-mounted, tree-hung, or displayed on a pegboard as in the sample photos.

I often make matching tiny keychain Yip Yips by using thinner yarn and smaller hooks; these make adorable gifts and bag charms.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch marker when working rounds can cause you to lose track of the beginning of each round; place and move a marker at the start of every round to maintain accurate stitch counts. ✗ Attaching tentacles through the wrong loop will hide them or make them sit awkwardly; be sure to attach tentacles to the front loops (crochet) or purl bumps (knit) as instructed for the correct look. ✗ Forgetting to count stitches after decreases results in uneven shaping and mismatched mouth openings; count your stitches at the end of each shaping row to confirm the pattern. ✗ Using a yarn tension that is too loose makes the body floppy and the mouth opening misshapen; maintain consistent, moderate tension and check gauge before you begin to ensure correct sizing.

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

Bring a lovable, retro-inspired Yip Yip to life with this approachable crochet and knit pattern. You can make a colorful hanging friend perfect for stockings, toy storage, or playful home decor. The pattern includes clear step-by-step instructions for the body, tentacles, eyes, antennae, and a removable lining. Enjoy a fun mix of simple shaping and charming finishing details you can personalize.

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
    Shown colors (crochet): Royal Blue, Pixie Pink, Pow Purple, Baby Teal, Crimson
  • 03
    Shown color (knit): Baby Lilac (1 skein)
  • 04
    Black flannel fabric, 16 inches by 24 inches for lining
  • 05
    Black thread for sewing lining and finishing details

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size L/8.0 mm (also used for attaching tentacles and details)
  • 02
    US10.5/6.5 mm circular knitting needle, 24 inches long (for knit body version)
  • 03
    Stitch marker
  • 04
    Tapestry needle for weaving ends and sewing pieces
  • 05
    2 ping pong balls for eyes
  • 06
    Black paint pen or permanent marker for pupils
  • 07
    2 pipe cleaners, 12 inches long for antennae
  • 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

— 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.

— Finished Measurements & Gauge :

Infos :

Circumference: 25 inches. Height: 14 inches (excluding tentacles & hanging loop). Gauge: 8 sts/8 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. 8 sts/16 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

— Crochet Body :

Info :

Make a slip knot.

Round 1 :

6 sc into slip knot. 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

  • Attach tentacles by inserting folded strands into the front loops (crochet) or purl bumps (knit) around Round 9 or Round 14 respectively; pull tails through and tighten, staggering lengths for a natural look.
  • Form eyes by threading pipe cleaners through ping pong balls, twist short ends together on the underside, then poke the short ends through the fabric on either side of the top of the head and secure by twisting beneath the lining fabric.
  • Draw pupils on ping pong ball eyes with a black paint pen or permanent marker; allow ink to dry before handling to avoid smudging.
  • Insert the finished lining (seams outward) into the body and hand-sew around the mouth opening using short straight stitches so the black thread is not visible on the outside.
  • Create the hanging loop by following the chain (crochet) or short-row loop (knit) instructions; adjust the chain length or short-row repeats for your desired loop size and secure ends.
  • Weave in all ends securely with a tapestry needle and trim any excess threads; ensure all attachments are tightened and the lining is sewn neatly for long-term use.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use a stitch marker at the beginning of every round and move it up as you complete each round to keep track of the start point accurately.
  • 💡Attach tentacles to the front loops of Round 9 (crochet) or the purl bumps of Round 14 (knit) for the intended appearance and secure them tightly.
  • 💡When making holes in ping pong balls, use an awl or ice pick carefully and widen gradually to avoid cracking or splitting the ball.

This lovable Yip Yip pattern brings playful retro charm to your home decor and gift list. Create bright, squishy hanging friends that delight kids and adults alike. Make a whole flock in different colors and hang them for instant personality and cheer. 🧶🧵😊

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished Yip Yip measures approximately 14 inches tall (excluding tentacles and hanging loop) with a 25-inch circumference when using the recommended yarn and hook/needle size.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will affect the final size and texture; adjust hook or needle size accordingly and check your gauge before starting.

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

This pattern is rated intermediate; familiarity with single crochet, increases/decreases, and basic short-row knitting techniques is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crafters complete a Yip Yip in about 5-7 hours, though time will vary depending on whether you crochet or knit and your familiarity with the techniques involved.