Candy Cane Christmas Tree Decoration

Very simple knitted decoration for your tree or it could be sewn onto a stocking as decoration. You will need 2 double pointed needles and a small amount of red and white yarn, coloured ribbons if required. This can also be made using a knitting dolly or french knitting (I think thats what its called). Just make the tube of knitting the length you want and fasten off then shape as below.

This is simply an i-cord tube, shaped with a piece of wire or pipe  cleaner. I used 2 strands of double knit yarn held together and 5mm double point needles but you could use whatever yarn and needles you like, thinner needles or yarn will make the tube narrower and smaller which might work well if you want to sew it onto something as a decoration, you wouldnt need the wire then either, just sew it into shape. This candy cane is just over 4 inches in height.

If you havent done an i-cord before it is very simple and there is an excellent video at knittinghelp

Cast on 3 stitches in red.

Attach white yarn (if you do it now you can leave the end at the bottom of the piece of i-cord so it doesnt get in your way).

Knit 3 stitches in red.

Slide all stitches to end of needle, bring yarn round from last stitch firmly and knit again.

To ensure the yarn you are not currently using is carried up the middle of the tube, bring it over the left needle so it falls in front every time you slide the stitches to the end of the needle, then bring the yarn around the back of it to knit the next 3 stitches. Pull the yarn tight enough round the back so no hole is left. You are stretching the yarn round the back of the 3 stitches so you are knitting them in a circle.

To change colour twist the 2 yarns together and then start using the new colour, making sure the unused yarn is in front of the left needle.

Continue working 3 rows of each colour until you reach the desired length.

To finish off knit 3 together or if it is too tight slip 1, knit 2 tog then pass the slipped stitch over. Fasten off both yarns.

Shape the candy cane.

I used a piece of 0.8mm wire cut to the same length as the i-cord.

Using pliers grip the end of the wire and wrap it around the pliers to form a very small loop. This stops the end catching on the yarn.

Slip the wire through the yarn at one end of the i-cord so it slides through the middle of the tube and gently ease it all the way through.

Pipe cleaners can also be used and are probably better as they are less likely to slip out. However I didnt have any to hand so used wire and it feels fairly  secure. I WOULD NOT GIVE THIS TO  A SMALL CHILD AS A TOY! The end of the wire can be quite sharp, even pipe cleaners can be scratchy so please take care.

Bend the candy cane to the shape you want. Decorate with a ribbon bow if you like, sew a piece of thread through the top or tie the bow at the top and make a loop of ribbon to hang it from your tree.