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Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern
4.0★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
1.3K 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 — a soft, textured creature with a wide mouth, fringe-like tentacles, and playful antennae. You can make it in crochet (sample shown) or knit with full round-by-round instructions for both methods. The design includes instructions for eyes, antennae, and a fabric lining to finish the mouth neatly. It is perfect for toy storage, holiday stockings, or colorful wall decor.

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

Includes full materials list, abbreviations, and clear step-by-step rounds for both crochet and knit versions. Detailed finishing instructions cover tentacle attachment, ping-pong-ball eyes, antennae, and a sewn fabric lining.

Why You'll Love This Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it captures a silly, nostalgic charm while remaining practical and sturdy for everyday use. I enjoy how the tentacles and fringe give each Yip Yip its own personality, and the ping-pong ball eyes are a wonderfully quirky detail I always smile at. The pattern lets me be creative with color choices and finishes, and I appreciate that it offers both crochet and knit paths so I can make more for gifts. Making a row of Yip Yips always brightens my day and makes for a cheerful display.

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 changing yarn colors and textures — try variegated or ombre yarn for a playful gradient effect.

You can make minis by using a DK or sport weight yarn and smaller hooks; conversely, bulky yarn will give you an oversized, plush Yip Yip perfect for big displays.

I sometimes replace the ping pong ball eyes with safety eyes for a more polished look, but keep them whimsical by offsetting pupils for character.

For a more durable hanging loop, crochet a longer chain or knit an I-cord and reinforce it with a small length of plastic-coated wire inside for hanging strength.

I like to add embellishments like felt teeth, embroidered brows, or tiny crocheted accessories to create personalities for each Yip Yip.

Try alternate lining fabrics — fleece for extra softness or waterproof-backed fabric if using the Yip Yip for outdoor toy storage.

Make a matching set in coordinated colors to hang in a child’s room or on a mudroom wall for shoes or mittens.

If you want a simpler finishing option, skip the fabric lining and instead work a black yarn border around the mouth, then secure felt inside for a fast alternative.

I recommend experimenting with tentacle lengths and spacing — uneven lengths give a more organic, playful look that I love.

Don’t be afraid to mix crochet and knit techniques: you can crochet the body and knit the hanging-loop or vice versa to personalize your process and texture.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers while working in continuous rounds causes misaligned rounds and irregular shaping; place a marker on the first stitch of each round and move it up as you work to stay perfectly aligned. ✗ Attaching tentacles to the wrong loop (front vs. back loop) changes how the fringe lays and looks; attach tentacles to the front loops of Round 9 in crochet or the purl bumps of Round 14 in knit as instructed. ✗ Overstuffing or pulling fabric too tight when inserting the lining can distort the mouth shape; ease the lining in with seams outward and hand-sew around the mouth with short stitches so the thread is hidden. ✗ Forgetting to mark the hanging-loop stitch causes uneven loops or misplacement; move the stitch marker to the chain stitch specified in Round 30 (crochet) or use the hanging sequence in Short-row 65 (knit) to maintain correct placement.

Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

Make a playful hanging Yip Yip with this full crochet and knit pattern that doubles as toy storage or a whimsical holiday stocking. The design features a wide mouth, fringed tentacles, and wobbly ping-pong ball eyes for a delightfully goofy character. Clear step-by-step instructions guide you through crocheting or knitting the body, attaching tentacles, making antennae, and lining the interior so your Yip Yip is ready to hang and enjoy.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Yip Yips Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Bernat Blanket, Blanket Brights, or Baby Blanket yarn (100% polyester); 220 yds/201 m per 300 g skein; 1 skein in color of your choice
  • 02
    Sample colors (crochet): Royal Blue, Pixie Pink, Pow Purple, Baby Teal, Crimson; Sample color (knit): Baby Lilac
  • 03
    Black flannel fabric, 16 inches by 24 inches for lining
  • 04
    Black thread (for lining)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size L/8.0 mm (used also for attaching tentacles)
  • 02
    US 10.5 / 6.5 mm circular needle, 24 inches long (for knit version)
  • 03
    Stitch marker
  • 04
    Tapestry needle
  • 05
    2 ping pong balls
  • 06
    Black paint pen or permanent marker (for pupils)
  • 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

— 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

Row 30 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 13 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn. – 15 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 strands into the front loops of Round 9 (crochet) or the purl bumps of Round 14 (knit), pulling tails through and tightening so tentacles hang evenly around the base.
  • Join yarn at top point of mouth opening and work 13 sc down first side of mouth, 17 sc along bottom edge, 12 sc up second side, then slip stitch to close; weave in ends to secure the mouth edge.
  • Make eyes by poking holes in ping pong balls, feeding pipe cleaners through, twisting ends underneath the head fabric, and feeding long ends back through to position antennae; twist and shape antennae as desired.
  • Insert the black flannel lining with seams outward, hand-sew around the mouth opening using short straight stitches so the black thread is not visible from the outside, then sew bottom corner squares closed as instructed.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of each round and the hanging-loop placement for accurate shaping and even placement of features.
  • 💡Attach tentacles to the correct loops (front loops in crochet or purl bumps in knit) to achieve the intended fringe appearance.
  • 💡When poking holes in ping pong balls, widen the hole gradually with an awl or pick to avoid cracking the ball and to make threading pipe cleaners easier.

These Yip Yips are a playful, nostalgic project that brings color and personality to any space. Make a matching row to brighten a hallway, create a whimsical gift, or use one as a cheery laundry or toy holder. 🧶 Hang them proudly and enjoy the smiles they inspire! 🎉

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 using the recommended yarn and hook/needle sizes.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, but changing yarn weight will alter the final size and texture; use an appropriate hook or needle for your chosen yarn and adjust stitches if needed to match gauge.

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

This pattern is intermediate; you should be comfortable working in continuous rounds for crochet or in the round for knitting, as well as with increases, decreases, and short rows for the knit version.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crafters finish a single Yip Yip in about 5-7 hours, depending on experience and whether you choose crochet or knit; tentacles, eyes, and lining add finishing time.