Nancy Said | Crochet & knitwear designer and tutor : Candy Cane Blanket

Welcome to the wonderful world of Candy Cane!

Candy Cane Blanket
finished size approx 120x105cm

Did someone say free Candy? I'm in! I grew up in a sweet shop so I definitely have a sweet tooth (and plenty of fillings. My favourite sweets were Peppermint Creams, oh how I devoured them by the pounds)!

This pattern has a slow-ish first row, but after that, whoosh!! You'll be flying in no time. And don't let all the words put you off. Watch the little video and you'll be raring to go. It's quite an addictive pattern. Once you've found your rhythm, I think you'll love it.

Let's get started!

Woolly Aran in Cream by Cygnet Yarns -
comes in 200g balls (I used x3 of these)

Grousemoor Aran in Red -
comes in giant 400g balls -
I used 1x of these

You will need*:

- 600g/1200m aran weight yarn in Cream - pictured here in Woolly Aran Shade 2742 by Cygnet Yarns (200g/396m)

- 400g aran weight yarn in Red - pictured here in Grousemoor Aran Shade 1386 by Cygnet Yarns (400g/660m)

- 6mm hook and 5.5mm hook

*PSSST! If you'd like to have a printed version of this pattern you can purchase one here

Also, consider using this pattern as a stash buster to use all your little balls of aran. I do recommend having a neutral background colour though, such as the cream I used here.

Notes to this pattern:

1. Pattern is written in UK terms

2. Pattern is worked over any odd number of foundation chains

3. Carry the yarn loosely up the side of the work where possible to save sewing in ends

4. Gauge: 8 Rows x 5 Forked Puffs = 10x10cm

5. Finished size = approx 120x105cm

Special Stitches:

FP = Forked Puff (4htrTogether over 2 spaced stitches (or over 2 Spaces on subsequent rows) – for a Video Tutorial on this stitch visit https://youtu.be/4gcEVX8joUM: (yrh, insert hook into the first indicated chain/space and draw up a tall loop) twice, skip 2chains, (yrh, insert hook into next indicated chain/space and draw up a loop) twice, yrh and pull through all 9 loops on hook
Htr (half treble) = yrh, insert hook into indicated place and draw up and loop, yrh and draw through all three loops on hook
Puff = (yrh, insert hook into indicated place and draw up a long loop) three times, then yrh and draw through all 7 loops

There are a lot of words to the Forked Puff stitch, but it's pretty simple to actually make so I recommend you watch the video if you prefer a demonstration

BEGIN

Using 5.5mm hook and Cream, ch163 (see Note 2)

Row 1: [Yrh, insert hook into the 4th chain from the hook and draw up a tall loop] twice, skip next two chains, [yrh, insert hook into the next chain and draw up a tall loop] twice (=9 loops on the hook), then yrh and draw yarn through all 9 loops (= Forked Puff made – see Special Stitches and video tutorial), **ch2, work another Forked Puff as follows: [yrh, insert hook into the same chain as the last “leg” of the previous Forked Puff and draw up a loop] twice, skip 2chains, [yrh, insert hook into the next chain and draw up a loop] twice, then yrh and draw yarn through all 9 loops; repeat from ** across, ending with ch1, then work 1htr into the same last chain, turn [53 Forked Puffs made]

Row 2: Ch3 (counts as first Htr, ch1), Work 1FP over the first ch1 space and the next ch2-space, *ch2, work 1FP working the first leg into the same space as the last “leg” of the previous FP and the next space; repeat from * across up to and including the space just before the turning chain, ending ch1, then work 1htr into the same last space, turn

Rows 3 to 8: Work as Row 2, changing to Red on the last stitch, dropping Cream but do not fasten off (see Note 3)

--- CHANGE TO 6MM HOOK ---

Rows 9 and 10: Using Red, work as Row 2, changing to Cream on the last stitch, dropping Red but do not fasten off

Rows 11 and 12: Using Cream, work as Row 2, changing to Red on the last stitch, dropping Cream but do not fasten off

These last 4 Rows establish the colour sequence. Continue using 6mm hook, changing colour every two rows until a total of 17 Red Stripes have been worked, drawing up Cream on the last stitch.

Fasten off Red.

--- CHANGE TO 5.5MM HOOK ---

Work a further 8 rows in Cream, do not fasten off

EDGING – worked along the two long sides only - using 5.5mm hook

Rotate work 90’ to work along the side

>>Ch2, work 1Puff (see Special Stitches) around the edge of the first row (i.e. around the turning chain), ch1, *1Puff around the turning chain of the next Row end, ch1; rep from * to the end of this side, ending with 1Puff into the last Row end, then work 1htr into the 2nd of the turning chain. Fasten off.

Rejoin Cream to opposite side and repeat from >>.

Fasten off and sew in all ends.

I hope you enjoy making this blanket! The end result is so plush and cosy, I can totally imagine using this for my socially distanced garden visits. Plus, I think it would make a cosy shawl or scarf too.

Happy crocheting everybody!

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