Yip Yips Free Pattern

Materials Needed & Measurements:

• Yarn:
  • Bernat Blanket / Bernat Blanket Brights / Bernat Baby Blanket (100% polyester; 220 yards/201 meters per 300g skein)
  • 1 skein in color of your choice (shown in Royal Blue, Pixie Pink, Pow Purple, Baby Teal, and Crimson)
• Crochet Hook: L/8mm crochet hook
• Other Supplies:
  • Stitch marker
  • Tapestry needle
  • 2 ping pong balls
  • Black paint pen or permanent marker
  • 2 pipe cleaners (12 inches long)
  • Awl, ice pick, or corn pick (for poking holes in ping pong balls)
  • Black flannel fabric (16 inches by 24 inches)
  • Scissors
  • Sewing needle
  • Black thread
• Gauge: 8 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in single crochet

Finished Measurements:

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

Abbreviations Used:

• sc = single crochet
• inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec = decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• st = stitch

Stitching Instructions for Making the Yip Yips Pattern:

Starting the Body:

• Magic Ring:
  • Begin with a magic ring (adjustable loop). This allows the starting stitches to be closed tightly. To make a magic ring:
    • Wrap the yarn around your fingers to form a loop.
    • Insert your hook into the loop and pull up a loop (this is the first chain).
    • Work your first stitch into the ring.
• Round 1:
  • Work 6 single crochet (sc) into the magic ring.
  • Pull the ring tight to close the hole. You should have 6 stitches total.
• Round 2:
  • Start the second round by increasing (inc) every stitch around. To increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 2: 12.
• Round 3:
  • (Sc 1, inc) – Repeat this pattern around the circle. This means you work 1 single crochet, then increase (2 sc) into the next stitch.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 3: 18.
• Round 4:
  • (Sc 2, inc) – Repeat this pattern around. Work 2 single crochets, then increase into the next stitch.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 4: 24.
• Round 5:
  • (Sc 3, inc) – Repeat around. Work 3 single crochets, then increase in the next stitch.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 5: 30.
• Round 6:
  • (Sc 4, inc) – Repeat this pattern around. Work 4 single crochets, followed by an increase in the next stitch.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 6: 36.

Increasing to Desired Size:

To achieve the desired circumference, continue increasing following the same pattern for the subsequent rounds:

• Round 7: (Sc 5, inc) around (42 sts).
• Round 8: (Sc 6, inc) around (48 sts).
• Round 9: (Sc 7, inc) around (54 sts).
• Continue this pattern, increasing the number of single crochets between increases (e.g., sc 8, inc) until the body circumference reaches 25 inches. Keep measuring as you work to ensure accuracy.

Working the Height of the Body:

Once you reach the desired circumference (25 inches), it’s time to stop increasing and start working in straight single crochet to form the body height.

• Round 1:
  • Work sc in each stitch around without increasing or decreasing.
  • Continue working in single crochet for every round until you reach the desired height of 14 inches.
• Continue Working in the Round: Continue to work even (without any increases or decreases) in single crochet until you’ve reached the height of the body.

Shaping the Top:

Once you’ve reached the height of 14 inches (excluding tentacles and the hanging loop), start to decrease to shape the top.

• Round 1:
  • (Sc 4, dec) – Repeat around. For this, you’ll decrease by crocheting 2 stitches together.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 1: 30.
• Round 2:
  • (Sc 3, dec) – Repeat this around. Continue to decrease to close up the top of the body.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 2: 24.
• Round 3:
  • (Sc 2, dec) – Continue decreasing.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 3: 18.
• Round 4:
  • (Sc 1, dec) – Repeat around.
  • Total stitches at the end of Round 4: 12.
• Round 5: Dec around to close the top (6 sts).

Closing the Top:

After completing the final decrease round, there should be just a few stitches remaining. Using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn tail through the remaining stitches and pull them tightly to close up the top of the body. Secure the tail and weave in the ends.

Making the Tentacles:

• Prepare the Tentacles:
  • Cut 2 pipe cleaners into 12-inch pieces.
  • Curl or bend the pipe cleaners as desired to form the tentacles.
• Attach the Tentacles: Secure the pipe cleaners to the bottom of the body by inserting them through a few stitches. You can twist the ends of the pipe cleaners to hold them in place, ensuring they’re securely fastened.

Creating the Eyes:

• Prepare the Ping Pong Balls: Using the black paint pen or permanent marker, draw eyes onto the 2 ping pong balls.
• Attach the Eyes: Use a hot glue gun or sewing needle to securely attach the ping pong balls to the body of the Yip Yips. Position the eyes towards the top of the body, leaving enough room for the tentacles.

Adding the Fabric for the Hanging Loop:

• Prepare the Fabric: Cut a piece of black flannel fabric to measure 16 inches by 24 inches.
• Sew the Hanging Loop: Use a sewing needle and black thread to create a hanging loop. Attach one end of the fabric securely to the top of the Yip Yips body.

Final Touches:

• Ensure all pieces are securely fastened, and there are no loose ends.
• You can adjust the tentacles, eyes, and fabric loop to suit your preference, ensuring the Yip Yips are both functional and adorable.

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