Make Christmas Non-Candy Candy Canes 2

Yarn candy canes are fairly easy to make as well. Simply braid strands of red yarn together and then braid strands of white yarn together. With the red braid, form your candy cane, and use spray starch for stiffening. Allow it to dry – and use a lot of starch so that it holds the shape.
 
Once the red yarn is dry, simply wrap the white braid around it, leaving space so that the red shows through. The ends of the white braid can be attached to the candy cane with a thread and needle.

With yarn candy canes, you may need to re-spray them with starch each year. Remember that candy canes hang from the tree by the hook of the cane. Therefore, the hook needs to be fairly sturdy to support the weight of the candy cane.
 
You could even make a large wall decoration with two candy canes crossed at the stem. These are made of cloth, and are actually appliqué type constructions, in that they are stuffed with quilt batting. You could also stuff them with some mint for added effect. Simply cut the ‘stripes’ of the candy canes and sew them together. Be sure to make bows for the bottom of the hooks!
 
For lawn candy canes, the shapes are usually cut from wood, with the use of a jigsaw. The wood is then painted with red and white paint, and you will most likely want to put some weather resistant coating over the paint, after it has dried.
 
These candy canes are set up with the use of a ‘T’ type stand on the back of the candy cane in most cases. This is done by attaching a block of wood to the top of the back of the candy cane. For this to work the candy cane wood must be at least a half inch thick – you don’t want the nails to come all the way through the front of the candy cane.
 
You can then just prop the candy cane up with a dowel or a piece of wood that goes from the ground – at an angle – to rest under the block of wood that you have attached.
 
All candy canes don’t have to be plain. You can dress then up with bows. The bow is usually placed on the straight part of the candy cane, just below the hook at the top. The bow can be made of any materials, and decorated as you see fit. Obviously, the size of the bow will be dependant on the size of the candy cane.
 
Note that making your own non-candy candy canes does not save money. Real candy canes are very cheap, and can cost just a few dollars for a box of eight to ten at any discount store.
 
non candy candy canes part 1
next make pine cone Christmas decorations
Christmas crafts home