With the festive season fast-approaching, these giant crochet candy canes are just what you need to give your home a touch of Christmas magic! Made using Paintbox Yarns Simply Super Chunky, you can have this super sweet oversized Christmas decoration hooked up in no time at all. Here, Kate Eastwood shows you how to make a giant crochet candy cane, step by step!

To keep the pattern as simple as possible, the candy cane is worked in one colour and the stripe is made separately and sewn on afterwards. The main body of the candy cane is worked as a large rectangle in double crochet, which is then joined together to make a long tube. Two small circles worked in double crochet are then sewn on to each end.

You'll need three balls of yarn to create the body of the candy cane, and one ball for the stripe.

Materials

How to make the body of the candy cane

1

Row 1: Using an 8mm crochet hook and the red yard chain 63.

Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 dc in each chain to the end. 62 sts.

Chain 1 and turn.

2

Row 2: Dc. 62 sts. Chain 1 and turn.

3

Rows 3 to 24: Repeat Row 2. Finish off and sew in the ends.

How to make the base of the candy cane

1

Round 1: Using an 8mm crochet hook and the red yarn, make a magic ring and work 4 dc in to the ring.

2

Round 2: (2dc in each st) x 4. sts. 8 sts.

3

Round 3: (1 dc in the next st, 2dc in to the next st) x 4. sts. 12 sts.

4

Round 4: (1 dc in each of the next 2 sts , 2dc in to the next st) x 4. sts. 16 sts.

5

Round 5: (1 dc in each of the next 3 sts , 2dc in to the next st) x 4. sts. 20 sts.

How to make the top of the candy cane

1

Round 1: Using an 8mm crochet hook and the red yard, make a Magic Ring and work 4 dc in to the ring.

2

Round 2: (2dc in each st) x 4. sts. 8 sts.

3

Round 3: (1 dc in the next st, 2dc in to the next st) x 4. sts. 12 sts.

4

Round 4: (1 dc in each of the next 2 sts , 2dc in to the next st) x 4. sts. 16 sts.

How to make the stripe

1

Row 1: Using an 8mm crochet hook and the white yarn, chain 63.

2

Row 2: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 htr (UK terms) in each chain to the last 15 sts. Work 1 dc in each of the next 10 chains, work 5 sl st in the last 5 chains. Leave yarn tails at the tapered end. Finish off the starting ends.

How to make the candy cane

1

step 1

With the wrong sides together, fold the rectangle in half lengthways and pin to hold. Using a length of yarn and a yarn needle stitch the sides together securely.

2

step 2

Take the base of the candy cane, the larger circle, and with the wrong side facing you, stitch the base to the end of the tube.

3

step 3

Turn the tube the right way out and firmly stuff the tube, pushing the stuffing right down to the base.

4

step 4

Take the top of the candy cane, the smaller circle, and with the right side facing you, stitch the top to the end of the tube.

5

step 5

Leave a small opening unsewn.

6

step 6

On the seam, measure 25cm down from the top of the cane and mark with a pin.

7

step 7

Cut a long length of yarn and thread it double through the yarn needle, tying a firm knot in the end. Starting at the top of the cane work a row of running stitch down to the marker pin. This gathering thread, when pulled up, will gather the underside of the cane creating the bend. For this reason this thread needs to be securely attached. You may find it helpful to run a couple of rows of running stitch to create a bigger gather. Once you are happy with the gathering stitches, pull up the yarn tightly to create the bend. Use the same length of yarn to stitch holding stitches where needed to ensure the bend stays in position.

8

Take the stripe, and thread the yarn ends from the tapered end of the stripe from the outside centre of the top circle through to the inside of the top circle. Tie the ends securely in place. 

9

Add any final stuffing if needed and close up the opening at the top of the candy cane. Now carefully and evenly wrap the stripe all the way around the candy cane form top to bottom. Once you are happy with the positioning, pin the stripe in place.

10

Use a needle and sewing thread to stitch the stripe securely to the cane from top to bottom. Once the stripe is sewn on you may find it helpful to sew some holding threads in the stripes underneath the bend to help hold the cane in position.

Discover more Christmas crochet patterns