Project introduction
This crochet design is the Christmas edition of a holiday wreath series, built on a candy cane shaped frame instead of a traditional circle. The original designer describes it as an easy project with no complicated stitches, requiring only single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet.
You can dress the wreath up however you like or leave it completely plain. Instructions are included for a standard candy cane with even sized stripes if you prefer that look. The designer settled on a black bow with a silver buckle resembling Santa’s belt, plus mistletoe, to finish the piece.
Earlier wreaths in this collection include Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, American Flag, Halloween and Thanksgiving designs. The designer notes that the Easter wreath was missed at the time because she was new to blogging, though she plans to return to that holiday later. Paid, ad-free large print PDFs are available from Etsy and Ravelry. For the complete written pattern, please visit the Original designer’s pattern and instructions.
Candy Cane Wreath
Materials Used
The source lists the following supplies for this project:
- Burgundy Red Heart Super Saver, one skein (7 oz/198 g, 364 yds/333 m)
- Aran Red Heart Super Saver, one skein (7 oz/198 g, 364 yds/333 m)
- Black Red Heart Super Saver, small amount (7 oz/198 g, 364 yds/333 m)
- Medium Thyme Red Heart Super Saver, small amount (7 oz/198 g, 364 yds/333 m)
- Light Grey Red Heart Super Saver, small amount (7 oz/198 g, 364 yds/333 m)
- H/8 (5.00 mm) hook
- F/5 (3.75 mm) hook
- A 20 inch metal frame in the shape of a candy cane
- Ribbon about 3 feet long and 2 to 2.5 inches wide
- Two clothespins or baby pins to hold pieces on the frame while working
- Tapestry needle
Finished Size Approximately
With the black bow attached, the finished wreath is about 21 inches tall by 12 inches wide.
Gauge
The source states that gauge is not important for this decorative project.
Special Stitches
Several techniques appear in the pattern. Back Loops Only means you work through the rear loop of each stitch. For Bottom Loop, flip your chain over so the loop underneath becomes the working loop. Single Crochet 3 Together (sc3tog) is a decrease: you draw up loops in three indicated stitches and finish them together. Shell Stitch means 5 double crochets worked into the same space. V-Stitch places a double crochet, chain 1 and another double crochet all in one spot.
Abbreviations
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FC | foundation chain (beginning chain) |
| YO | yarn over |
| ch(s) | chain(s) |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| V-st | V-stitch |
| sl st | slip stitch |
Notes
Every part uses the H hook except the berries, which use the F hook. The yarn tails left on your crocheted pieces serve as thread for stitching them together. If you want equal sized stripes across the candy cane, make all red and white sections using the Piece B pattern. American crochet terms apply throughout.
Construction Overview
The main body forms from stacked rectangular strips. Piece A is made twice in Burgundy from a ch 55 foundation. Piece B appears four times in Burgundy starting at ch 105. Piece C occurs five times in Burgundy from ch 25. Piece D repeats ten times in Aran beginning at ch 75.
Pieces A and D add three double crochets in the final chain-1 space while B and C do not. Every piece finishes with a 3 inch tail reserved for assembly.
Assembly
The designer advises against stitching all twenty-one pieces before wrapping because they tend to twist. Instead, join groups of four to five strips, wrap them around the frame, then connect additional groups to the already wrapped section. Work upward along the shorter side of the candy cane and downward along the longer side. Position the wrong side of each strip facing outward since the natural arch adds dimension, though this orientation remains optional.
Follow the piece order chart when connecting ends with a tapestry needle and leftover tails. Secure the first end of Piece A to the form with a clothespin, aligning the foundation chain against the wire with shells pointing out. Avoid pulling too tight. Once stripe placement looks right, remove pins and stitch both ends to the frame using extra burgundy yarn, ensuring wraps catch the bottom wire to prevent slipping.
Belt Bow
The bow strip works in Black yarn. Begin with a ch 6 foundation. Row 1 places five single crochets. Rows 2 through 124 repeat a simple sc row of five stitches each time.
Trim
Round 125 edges the bow. Chain 1, work five single crochets, then chain 1. Continue single crocheting evenly along the long ribbon edge to each corner, placing an sc-ch1-sc cluster in every corner space. Join with a slip stitch in the first single crochet of the round, finish off and weave in ends.
Folding Bow
Leave roughly 7.5 to 7.75 inches of ribbon tail hanging loose on each side. Fold the strip according to the photo tutorial. Wind a few feet of black yarn tightly around the center without burying the start end so you can tie off later. Knot securely and keep long tails for attaching to the wreath form.
Buckle
Make one buckle in Light Gray from a ch 33 foundation. Round 1 works in bottom loops using single crochet, sc3tog decreases and a closing slip stitch; take care not to twist. Leave a 10 to 12 inch sewing tail. Lay the finished ring horizontal and attach it to the bow center. Create three long loose stitches midway up one side to mimic the belt post, and close the remaining seam where round one started and ended.
Mistletoe
Crochet three leaves in Medium Thyme from ch 10 foundations. Round 1 circles the chain using bottom loops, combining slip stitches, single crochet and half double crochet with clustered slip stitches at both tips. Finish with long tails. Sew the tops of all three leaves together so they fan outward naturally.
Berries
Three small berries use Aran yarn and the F hook. Start with a magic circle or a joined ch 3 loop. Round 1 adds four single crochets; Round 2 repeats four single crochets before joining. Attach these to the mistletoe leaf junction using their tails.
Position the black bow just above the middle of the candy cane’s long side, wedging its tails between wreath folds and tying behind the frame. Place the mistletoe cluster directly below the bow. For the large silver accent, cut roughly 3 feet of ribbon, wrap it around the hook portion and tie a simple bow at top. Skip the ribbon entirely if preferred and attach wire to the frame for hanging instead.
***Click here to buy the ad-free, large print PDF from Ravelry***
The original designer offers ad-free, large print PDF versions of this pattern for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry. The free written instructions are available directly on the Highland Hickory Designs website.
Crochet Candy Cane Hot Pad: Pattern Overview
Candy Cane Hot Pad Crochet Version by Melody Rogers: Pattern Overview
