If you’re a fellow Sesame Street fan, you might remember these critters:

As an enthusiast of all things muppety, when I saw this free crochet pattern by Carissa Browning I couldn’t resist trying it out! (There is also a knitted version.)

They are pretty quick and easy to crochet, and even sewing the lining is simple. It’s worked on the wrong side, so no worries if it’s a bit untidy*, all the seams are hidden between the lining and the crochet outer. I had to adjust the size of my lining as my critters didn’t come out exactly the same size as the pattern. I just folded my yipyip in half, and then used it as a template.

The lining works best with a fabric that doesn’t fray. I used an old blue IKEA fleece** we had lying around.

The original pattern uses ping pong balls for eyes and pipecleaners for antennae. Because I was making one for a very young person, I crocheted them instead.

Here are mine:

My first two, unlined. Same yarn, but one made with 4.5mm hook, one with an 8mm (as per the pattern).

Waiting to be lined on Unfinished Project Mountain. I got the multicolour stripes one complete first, put it down for a second to go for a wee, and the Hellbeast de-tentacled half of it. Luckily the tentacles are easy to replace. I gave it away before I got a chance for a final pic with the lining.

The backs, showing details of the antennae.

All done and lined. Yip yip yip yip.

And here’s how I did the eyes.

Eyes: crocheted in a spiral, amigurumi style. UK terminology.

Eyeballs

Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. OR ch 3, join with slip stich, 6 dc into the loop. (6 stitches).
Round 2: Increase every stitch. i.e. 2dc into each stitch (12 stitches).
Round 3: Increase every other stitch. i.e. (dc, 2dc into next stitch) repeat 6 times (18 stitches)
Round 4: Increase every 3rd stitch. i.e. (dc, dc, 2dc) repeat 6 times (24 stitches).
Round 5: Increase every 4thstitch. i.e. (dc, dc, dc, 2dc) repeat 6 times (30 stitches).
Round 6 – 8 : dc all round (24 stitches).
Round 9: Decrease every 4th stitch. i.e. (dc, dc, dc dc2tog) repeat 6 times (24 stitches).
Round 10: Decrease every 3rd stitch. i.e. (dc, dc, dc2tog) repeat 6 times (18 stitches).
Round 11: Decrease every other stitch i.e. (dc, dc2tog) repeat 6 times (12 stitches).
Stuff and stitch on.

Pupils

Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. OR ch 3, join with slip stich, 6 dc into the loop. (6 stitches).
Round 2: Increase every stitch. i.e. 2dc into each stitch (12 stitches).
Round 3: Increase every other stitch. i.e. (dc, 2dc into next stitch) repeat 6 times (18 stitches)
Sew to eyeballs.

The antennae can be made from icord. If you put a running stitch through part of it, you can pull it tight and fasten off to get a curve.

And you can’t make one without playing with it. Or at least, I can’t.

They’ve inspired me to make some monster storage baskets of my own. I have one in progress… Have lots of monster fun with these, folks!

*really really untidy

** It’s worth keeping an eye on the IKEA sales for fleece blankets if you aren’t fussy about colour. They can be cheaper than buying the fleece by the metre.