Candy Cane Crochet Wreath

This red and white crochet wreath is adorned in candy canes and looks perfectly sweet for the holiday season.  This soft and plush wreath is great for indoors or out and is a fun way to celebrate the sweetness of Christmas.  This is a great pattern for amigurumi fans and would be a great project for a beginner crocheter who's looking for a bit of a challenge.  You could also add some glittered gum drops or sugar plums to create a wreath that's sweet and satisfying!

Materials:

• 4 balls of yarn in White and Red
• 1 package Chenille stems
• 12” Styrofoam wreath
• Florist U shape pins (found in the floral area most craft store usually with the Styrofoam wreaths)
• size H crochet hook or hook needed to obtain gauge
   

Gauge:  4 hdc sts = 1”, 3 rows hdc = 1”

Instructions:
Carry dropped yarn behind sts as you work.

1. With White and H hook ch-4, sl st to form a ring.
    
2. RND 1: Ch-1, work 2 hdc in ring, join Red, drop White, 1 hdc in ring, drop Red pick up White, 2 hdc in ring, drop White, pick up Red, 1 hdc in ring, drop Red, pick up White, 2 hdc in ring, do not turn
    
3. REMAINING RNDS: (Drop White, pick up Red, hdc next st, drop Red, pick up White, hdc next 2 sts) around until piece measures 5-1\2”
    
4. Insert a chenille stem that has been folded in half and twisted slightly to hold tog. Fasten off Red, pick up White, hdc dec next 2 sts until opening is closed, fasten off.
    
5. Bend into the shape of a candy cane.
    
6. Continue until you have 13 candy canes.
    
7. Reverse color and make 5 candy canes.
    
8. Now you're going to crochet a ribbon to wrap around the wreath.  ROW 1: With White and H hook ch-8, hdc 3rd ch from hook, hdc next 2 ch, join Red, drop White, hdc last 3 ch, ch=1, turn. (6 sts)
    
9. ROW 2: Hdc next 3 sts, drop Red, pick up White, hdc last 3 sts, ch-1, turn.
    
10. ROW 3: Hdc next 3 sts, drop White, pick up Red, hdc last 3 sts, ch-1, turn.
     
11. Rep row 2-3 until piece measures 137” long, fasten off.
     
12. Using the U shaped florist pins, pin one end of ribbon to wreath, carefully wrap the wreath with the ribbon being careful not to overlap the edges, fasten with another U pin.
     
13. Carefully arrange the candy canes onto the wreath holding them in place with the U pins.