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Yip Yips Alien Storage Basket Pattern

Yip Yips Alien Storage Basket Pattern
4.5★ Rating
8-10 Hours Time Needed
3.0K Made This
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Intermediate Level

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

⏱️

All-Day Adventure

Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive knitting.

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Whimsical Buddy

Playful characters full of personality, designed to spark imagination and become cherished playtime favorites.

About This Yip Yips Alien Storage Basket Pattern

This delightful Yip Yips pattern combines nostalgia with functionality, creating a storage basket inspired by beloved television aliens. The pattern offers both crochet and knit versions, working from the bottom up in continuous rounds with short-row shaping for the distinctive mouth opening. The finished piece features adorable ping pong ball eyes on pipe cleaner antennae and flowing yarn tentacles that give these creatures their signature look.

Yip Yips Alien Storage Basket Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Each Yip Yip includes a black flannel lining for durability and structure, making it perfect for practical storage while maintaining its playful character. The pattern's clever construction creates a 25-inch circumference basket that's both sturdy and charming.

Why You'll Love This Yip Yips Alien Storage Basket Pattern

I absolutely love how this pattern transforms chunky blanket yarn into something both nostalgic and functional. The joy of watching those googly eyes and tentacles come together is unmatched, and there's something incredibly satisfying about creating a piece that serves double duty as home decor and practical storage. I find the versatility amazing—you can customize the colors to match any room or create a whole family of these adorable aliens. The combination of simple techniques with creative finishing touches makes this project engaging from start to finish, and the reactions from fellow fans of the show are always priceless.

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

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with this pattern to create unique variations! Try using variegated or ombre blanket yarn for a color-shifting effect that gives your Yip Yip an otherworldly appearance. You could also play with the tentacle lengths—making some extra long and others shorter creates amazing visual movement and dimension.

For a more sophisticated look, I sometimes skip the traditional bright colors and opt for neutral tones like gray, cream, or navy, which transforms these playful creatures into stylish home decor that appeals to adults too. Adding embellishments like sparkly pipe cleaners or glow-in-the-dark paint on the eyes creates fun special effects, especially for kids' rooms.

I've even made mini versions using worsted weight yarn and smaller hooks for adorable desk organizers or gift pouches. Another fun twist is creating themed Yip Yips for different holidays—imagine orange and black for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, or pastel colors for Easter. The mouth size can be adjusted too; making it larger creates more storage space, while a smaller opening keeps items more secure inside. Don't be afraid to get creative with the facial expressions either—different pupil placements completely change the character's personality!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to place stitch markers at the beginning of rounds can cause confusion with stitch counts and pattern placement throughout the project ✗ Pulling tentacles too tightly when attaching them to the front loops or purl bumps creates an uneven fringe that looks sparse ✗ Not securing pipe cleaners properly inside the head allows the antennae eyes to wobble or fall through the fabric over time ✗ Skipping the gauge swatch with bulky blanket yarn results in a basket that's either too small or too large for intended use

Yip Yips Alien Storage Basket Pattern

Bring a lovable alien from late 20th century children's television into your home with this versatile Yip Yips pattern. Perfect as holiday stockings, toy storage, or kids' laundry baskets, these whimsical creatures add nostalgic charm to any space. With options for both crochet and knit construction, this pattern creates a functional 14-inch tall basket complete with googly eyes, pipe cleaner antennae, and playful tentacles.

Intermediate 8-10 Hours

Materials Needed for Yip Yips Alien Storage Basket Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Bernat Blanket, Blanket Brights, or Baby Blanket yarn (100% polyester, 220yds/201m per 300g skein) in color of choice
  • 02
    Colors shown: Royal Blue, Pixie Pink, Pow Purple, Baby Teal, Crimson, and Baby Lilac

— Tools Required

  • 01
    L/8mm crochet hook (for crochet version and attaching tentacles)
  • 02
    US10.5/6.5mm 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
  • 07
    2 pipe cleaners, 12 inches long
  • 08
    Awl, ice pick, or corn pick (for poking holes in ping pong balls)
  • 09
    Black flannel fabric, 16 inches by 24 inches
  • 10
    Scissors
  • 11
    Sewing needle
  • 12
    Black thread

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Crochet Body :

Starting :

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)

Round 3 :

[Sc in next st, 2 sc in following st] to end (18)

Round 4 :

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

Round 5 :

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

Round 6 :

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

Round 7 :

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

Round 8 :

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

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)

Row 24 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 25 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn (27)

Row 25 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 23 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn (25)

Row 26 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 21 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn (23)

Row 27 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 19 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn (21)

Row 28 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 17 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn (19)

Row 29 :

Ch1, sc dec in next 2 sts, sc in each of next 15 sts, sc dec in next 2 sts, turn (17)

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)

Round 32 :

[Sc dec in next 2 sts] 5 times (5)

Info :

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

Mouth Edging :

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 :

Starting :

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

Round 1 :

Kfb twice (4). Redistribute sts to use magic loop method until full circumference is achieved

Round 2 :

Kfb 4 times (8)

Round 3 :

K to end

Round 4 :

Kfb 8 times (16)

Round 5 :

K to end

Round 6 :

[K1, kfb] 8 times (24)

Round 7 :

K to end

Round 8 :

[K2, kfb] 8 times (32)

Round 9 :

K to end

Round 10 :

[K3, kfb] 8 times (40)

Round 11 :

K to end

Round 12 :

[K4, kfb] 8 times (48)

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. 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)

Round 67 :

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

Round 68 :

K7, k2tog, k7 (15)

Round 69 :

K to end

Round 70 :

[K3, k2tog] 3 times (12)

Round 71 :

K to end

Round 72 :

[K2, k2tog] 3 times (9)

Round 73 :

K to end

Round 74 :

[K1, k2tog] 3 times (6)

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

  • After completing the body, cut 48 yarn strands approximately 8-12 inches long and attach them to the front loops or purl bumps using a crochet hook to create the flowing tentacles.
  • Prepare two ping pong balls by carefully poking two holes in each, then thread pipe cleaners through to create the eye stalks.
  • Poke both pipe cleaner ends through the fabric at the top of the head and twist them together on the underside to secure the antennae structure.
  • Draw black pupils on the ping pong ball eyes using a permanent marker, allowing slight asymmetry for a characteristically wacky expression.
  • Cut and sew the black flannel lining according to the pattern diagram, then insert it into the body with seams facing outward.
  • Hand-sew the lining around the mouth opening using short, straight stitches with black thread that won't show through the fluffy yarn.
  • Bend the pipe cleaner antennae into your desired shape and adjust the hanging loop length as needed for display.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers consistently throughout the project to track your place in continuous rounds, especially when working with bulky yarn
  • 💡Maintain consistent tension when working with Bernat Blanket yarn as it's very thick and can show tension variations easily
  • 💡Be careful when poking holes in ping pong balls—work slowly and wear safety glasses to protect against any potential cracking or breaking
  • 💡Variable tentacle lengths create a more natural, whimsical look, so don't worry about cutting them perfectly even
  • 💡The lining is essential for structure and durability if using this as functional storage rather than just decoration
  • 💡Short-row shaping in the knit version requires attention to prevent gaps—follow the slip stitch instructions carefully

This delightful Yip Yips pattern brings nostalgic television magic into your home with a functional twist! Whether you choose the crochet or knit version, you'll create a whimsical storage basket complete with googly eyes, bouncy antennae, and flowing tentacles. Perfect for organizing toys, laundry, or holiday treats, these lovable aliens combine playful design with practical purpose. The pattern's clear instructions guide you through continuous rounds, short-row shaping, and creative finishing techniques that result in a piece full of personality. 🧶 Yip yip yip yip uh-huh uh-huh! ✨

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FAQs

Can I use a different yarn weight for this pattern?

While the pattern is specifically designed for bulky blanket yarn to achieve the correct gauge and finished measurements, you could adapt it for different weights by adjusting hook/needle size and recalculating stitch counts. Keep in mind this will change the final size significantly.

Is this pattern suitable for beginners?

This pattern is best suited for intermediate crafters who are comfortable with working in the round, reading patterns, and executing short-row shaping. Beginners with some crochet or knitting experience could tackle it with patience and attention to the instructions.

Do I need to make the lining, or can I skip it?

The lining adds structure and durability, especially if you're using the Yip Yip for storage. You can skip it for a purely decorative piece, but the basket may lose some shape over time without the support.

How can I make the antennae more secure for children?

To make this safer for young children, you can stitch the pipe cleaners more securely by wrapping extra thread around the twisted sections on the underside, or substitute the pipe cleaners with crocheted or knitted i-cord antennae instead.

What's the difference between the crochet and knit versions?

Both versions create the same finished shape and size, but the crochet version has a more textured appearance while the knit version features stockinette stitch for a smoother look. The construction techniques differ, with crochet using continuous rounds and the knit version employing short-row shaping for the mouth.