Crochet Elf Candy Cane Holder

Why Crochet an Elf Candy Cane Holder?

• Festive and Fun: These crochet candy cane holders look like cheerful elves hugging candy canes, instantly spreading holiday joy.
• Versatile Decoration: Hang them on your tree, place them on your holiday table, or use them to adorn gift packages.
• Perfect for Gifting: Add a handmade touch to your presents by including an elf candy cane holder. It’s thoughtful and unique.

Related: Check out Elf’s cute friends! We have a Gingerbread Boy & Girl, Santa, a Snowman, and a Reindeer candy cane holder ornament. And more friends to come!

Where to Use Your Crochet Elf Candy Cane Holders

• Christmas Tree Ornaments: Let these little elves dangle from your tree branches.
• Gift Toppers: Tie them onto wrapped presents for a handmade finishing touch.
• Party Favors: Delight guests with these charming keepsakes.
• Stocking Stuffers: They’re a sweet addition to holiday stockings.

What You’ll Need

To crochet an elf candy cane holder, you don’t need an elaborate list of supplies. Here’s what you’ll require:

• Yarn: Choose festive colors like red, green, white, and skin-tone yarn for the elf. Cotton or acrylic yarns work great for their durability.
• Crochet Hook: A size G/4.0mm hook is perfect for most of this project. Adjust the size based on your tension and yarn. You’ll also need a H/5.00mm and I/5.50mm crochet hook.
• Candy Canes: Standard-sized candy canes will fit snugly in your holder.
• Christmas Pencils: They’re a great alternative to giving candy.
• Safety Eyes or Embroidery Floss: To create the elf’s facial features.
• Scissors and Yarn Needle: For cutting and weaving in ends.

Yarn

I used Lily Sugar n’ Cream for my Elf crochet candy cane holder pattern. I love the color choices available in the Lily Sugar n’ Cream line and it’s easy to mix and match with Peaches and Cream and Bernat Handicrafter. All 3 are very similar cotton yarns.

Although I chose a 100% cotton yarn for my crochet candy cane holder, you can use most any other fiber. Acrylic, wool, and even acrylic, wool, or cotton blends will work great for your Elf Christmas tree decorations.

Elf Candy Cane Holder – Free Crochet Ornament Pattern

The crochet Elf candy cane holder is free below, but if you love to work offline, I’ve got a couple other great options for you.

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, including all photo tutorials on Ravelry, or on Etsy (aff).

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Materials

• Yarn: Worsted Weight / 4 / Yarn, Lily Sugar n’ Cream was used for the sample in the photos, (70.9 g / 2.5 oz / 120 yards / 109 m / 100% cotton).
  • See Yarn Notes above for alternative suggestions.
  • Soft Ecru (cream): 25 yards
  • Green: 20 yards
  • Red: 12 yards
  • Black: 2 yards (only needed if embroidering eyes)
  • Warm Brown: 1 yard
  • Light Pink: 18″
• Crochet Hooks: G/6/4.00mm; H/8/5.00mm; I/9/5.50mm, or size needed to obtain gauge (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Crochet Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hands since switching).
• Locking Stitch Markers
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle
• Blush for Elf’s cheeks (optional)
• (2) 8mm Black Plastic Safety Eyes (optional, includes instructions for embroidered eyes)
• Candy Canes
  • Christmas pencils would also be a fun option for kids

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch(s): chain(s)
• sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sp: space
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• Rnd: round
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• SM: stitch marker
• yo: yarn over
• Join yarn with a standing single crochet

Experience Level

• Easy
  

Gauge

• Measurements are given throughout the pattern.

Size

• One Size: 4″ W x 5″ H (ear to ear, bottom to top, not including hanging loop)

Special Stitches

• Join yarn with a standing single crochet: Begin with a slip knot on your hook, insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook. 

Pattern Notes

• Turning chains are not included in stitch count unless noted otherwise.
• Yarn Notes: Lily Sugar n’ Cream was used for the sample pictured in the photos. Another comparable worsted weight yarn may be used as long as gauge is met.
• Lily Sugar n’ Cream Yarn (70.9 g / 2.5 oz / 120 yards / 109 m / 100% cotton).
• Yardage & Colors
  • Warm Brown: 1 yard
  • Black: 2 yards (only needed if embroidering eyes)
  • Soft Ecru (cream): 25 yards
  • Red: 12 yards
  • Green: 20 yards
  • Light Pink: 18″
• Crochet Candy Cane Holder Construction: This elf crochet candy cane holder is constructed by crocheting a few small pieces and then assembling them. First, you’ll crochet two heads for the elf. Then you’ll crochet a hat, ears, a collar, and hands. After assembling all pieces, you’ll crochet a simple hanging loop and attach it.

Crochet Elf Candy Cane Holder Pattern

Elf Head

Make 2: You will make two heads (a front and a back). Because the Elf has two layers, you don’t need to weave in all the ends from adding all of the little details. Once you join the two layers, all those ends will be hidden.

Note: The Elf’s head is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Rnd 1 (RS): With soft ecru yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work 6 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook. Do not join. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: [ (sc, hdc) in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st, (hdc, sc) in the next st ] work from [ to ] 2 times. Do not join. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [ sc in the next st, (sc, hdc) in the next st, 2 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, (hdc, sc) in the next st, sc in the next st ] work from [ to ] 2 times. Do not join. (20 sts) At this point, your oval should measure approximately 1.375″ W x 1.75″ H.

Rnd 4: [ hdc in each of the next 3 sts, (2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next st) 3 times ] work from [ to ] 2 times, hdc in each of the next 2 sts. Do not join. (26 sts) At this point, your oval should measure approximately 1.785″ W x 2.375″ H.

Row 5: [ hdc in each of the next 3 sts, (2 hdc in the next st, hdc in each of the next 2 sts) 3 times ] work from [ to ] 2 times, hdc in each of the next 2 sts. Do not join. (32 sts)

Approximate size of your oval head should be approximately 2.25″ W (at the widest point) x 2.875″ H.

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Make a second Elf Head, then continue on to Elf Ears.

Elf Ears (Make 2)

Rnd 1: With ecru yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 2, work ( 3 sc, hdc, dc, ch 3, sl st in the 3rd ch, dc, hdc) in the 2nd ch from your hook. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc.

Fasten off leaving an 8″ tail of yarn to attach it to the head. Make a second ear then continue on to the Elf Hat.

Elf ears should be approximately 1.125″ H.

Elf Hat

Gauge: In sc with a 5.00mm crochet hook: 4.5 sts = 1.25″; 4.5 rows = 1.25″

Note: The Elf hat is worked in continuous rounds to keep from having an unsightly seam. Do not join at the end of each round, instead use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning of each round. Move the scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Set-Up: With green yarn & a 5.50mm crochet hook, ch 21, being careful not to twist the ch, sl st to the back hump of the 1st ch.

Rnd 1 (RS): Switch to a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 1, working into the back humps of the foundation ch, sc in each ch around. Do not join. (21 sts) Begin working in a spiral and use a scrap piece of yarn to mark the beginning and end of each round. Move this scrap of yarn up as you complete each round.

Rnds 2 – 3: FLO sc in each st around. (21 sts)

Rnd 4: (FLO sc in each of the next 5 sts, FLO invsc2tog) 3 times. (18 sts)

Rnds 5 – 6: FLO sc in each st around. (18 sts)

Rnd 7: (FLO sc in each of the next 4 sts, FLO invsc2tog) 3 times. (15 sts)

Rnds 8 – 9: FLO sc in each st around. (15 sts)

Rnd 10: (FLO sc in each of the next 3 sts, FLO invsc2tog) 3 times. (12 sts)

Rnds 11 – 12: FLO sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 13: (FLO sc in each of the next 2 sts, FLO invsc2tog) 3 times. (9 sts)

Rnds 14 – 15: FLO sc in each st around. (9 sts)

Rnd 16: (FLO sc in the st, FLO invsc2tog) 3 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to close the tip of the hat. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, close the tip of the hat. Weave in ends. Continue on to the Pom-Pom for the Elf’s Hat. Elf Hat should be approximately 3″ W x 6.25″ H (laid flat).

Pom-Pom for Elf’s Hat

Wrap green yarn around your finger approximately 20 times. Cut the yarn and carefully slide it off your finger. Cut a piece of white yarn and tie it around the center of the yarn. Knot to secure it. Cut through the loops of yarn on each side. Trim to create a round pom-pom. Attach the pom-pom to the tip of the Elf’s hat.

Continue on to Elf Hat Trim.

Elf Hat Trim

Rnd 1 (RS): With red yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, join yarn with a standing sc in the FLO of a stitch near where you joined the foundation ch of the Elf Hat, FLO sc in each st around the edge of the Elf Hat. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. Turn. (21 sts)

Make sure to turn at the end of Rnd 1 so that after you work Rnd 2 and fold it up, it shows the right side.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sl st in BLO of the first st,* (hdc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, hdc) in the BLO of the next st, BLO st st in the next st *, work from * to * 10 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st st. (10 peaks)

Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn. With a yarn needle and tail of yarn, tack stitch the points of the elf hat upward. Weave in ends. Continue on to the Elf Hair.

Elf Hair

Step One: Cut 9 pieces of brown yarn, 4″ long each.

Step Two: Choose the front edge of your elf hat. Tip hat so that you can see the inside. Using a crochet hook, pull a piece of brown yarn through the leftover green loop along the edge of the elf hat. Double knot to secure it. Repeat for the remaining 8 pieces of brown yarn. See photos below.

Step Three: Trim brown yarn to approximately 1/2″. Don’t get too picky about how even it is at this point. You will trim the hair later after attaching the hat to the Elf’s head. Use a yarn needle and separate the plies of yarn to make them look like strands of hair.

Candy Cane Holder Hands (Make 2)

Note: The Elf’s Hands are worked in continuous rounds (spiral). I suggest using a scrap of yarn as a stitch marker to help keep track of rounds.

Rnd 1 (RS): With soft ecru yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, ch 9, work 3 sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc in each of the next 6 chs, 3 sc in the last ch, rotate to work on the opposite side of the ch, sc in each of the last 6 chs. Do not join. (18 sts)

Use a scrap piece of yarn to keep track of the beginning and end of the next round.

Rnd 2: (2 sc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in each of the next 6 sts) work from ( to ) 2 times. Join with a sl st to the 1st sc. (24 sts)

Fasten off leaving a tail of yarn to sew Elf’s hand onto his head. Hand should be approximately 1″ W x 2.625″ L.

Make a second hand then continue on to the Elf’s Collar.

Elf’s Collar

Row 1 (RS): With red yarn & a 5.00mm crochet hook, ch 12, switch to a 4.00mm crochet hook, working into the back hump of the ch, sl st into the 2nd ch from your hook, skip the next ch, hdc into the next ch, * sl st into the next ch, (hdc, ch 2, sl st into the 2nd ch from your hook, hdc) in the next ch *, work from * to * 3 times, sl st into the next ch, (hdc, ch 2, sl st into the 2nd ch from your hook, ch 1) in the last ch, sl st into the last ch. (5 points on collar)

Fasten off, leaving a 12″ tail of yarn for attaching collar to elf’s head later. Continue on to the Elf’s Nose.

Elf’s Nose

With 18-24″ piece of soft ecru yarn, a yarn needle, and one of the Elf heads facing you, create a nose on your elf by going back and forth horizontally around one stitch in Round 2 of the elf’s head (see photos below). This creates a small bump for a nose just under the center of the head.

Continue on to the Eyes.

Eyes

I chose to use 8mm black safety eyes for my Elf. If you’re doing the same, position them as shown in the photo above and secure them to the Elf’s face. The eyes are just slightly above the center of his head.

If you’re going to use yarn to make your eyes, use an 18″ piece of black yarn and yarn needle, embroider eyes on the Elf’s face just slightly above the center of his head.

Continue on to the Embroider Mouth.

Embroider Mouth

Using a yarn needle and 12″ piece of pink yarn, embroider a mouth between Rnds 2 – 3, as shown in the photo below. Weave in ends.

Continue on to Blush (optional), or Attaching the Elf’s Ears.

Blush

I added pink cheeks to the Elf by lightly dabbing a Q-tip in my blush (make-up) and rubbing it in a gentle circle on the Elf’s cheeks.

Continue on to Attaching the Elf’s Ears.

Attaching the Elf’s Ears

With yarn tail & a yarn needle, sew each ear onto the back side of the Elf’s face as shown in the photo below. I positioned my ears in line with the eyes and nose.

Continue on to Joining the Elf Heads.

Joining the Elf Heads

Step One: With the wrong sides together, lay your Elf heads on top of each other. Use locking stitch markers to help hold the two heads together while you join them.

Step Two: With a soft ecru piece of yarn that is 4 times the perimeter of the Elf’s head, and a yarn needle, join the two Elf heads by inserting your yarn needle up through one stitch along the perimeter and down through the next stitch. Repeat this all the way around the edge of the Elf’s head.

Attaching Candy Cane Holder Hands

Note: Make sure to sew the hands on as close to the bottom, outside edge of the Elf’s head as possible to make sure the candy cane will fit through.

Tip! If you feel the candy cane holder hands will be a smidge tight, you can gently pull on them to stretch them out.

Step One: Lay your Elf face up. Fold a hand in half and position it at the bottom of his head, as shown in the photo below.

Step Two: With a yarn needle and tail of soft ecru yarn, sew an Elf’s hand onto the bottom edge of his head. Repeat for the second hand.

Weave in ends. Continue on to Attaching Elf’s Collar.

Attaching Elf’s Collar

Lay the collar on top of the Elf’s head and hands, positioned as shown in the photo below. Using a tail of red yarn and a yarn needle, attach the collar to the top layer of his head.

Weave in ends. Continue on to Attaching Elf’s Hat.

Attaching Elf’s Hat

With your Elf facing up, position his hat as shown in the photo below. Make sure to leave a small gap between the top of his ears and the bottom edge of his hat.

Use a yarn needle and 18″ piece of green yarn to sew the hat onto the Elf’s head. Make sure to work through all layers. I attached the hat by sewing through the green stitches around the hat, just above the red peaks.

Elf Hat Finishing

Bend the Elf’s hat to the left, as shown below on the left. Use a 12″ piece of green yarn & a yarn needle and tack stitch the hat together so that the tail of the hat stays down, as shown below on the right. Weave in ends. Continue on to Hanging Loop.

Hanging Loop

With any color yarn & a 4.00mm crochet hook, create a chain that is 6″ long. Join with a sl st to the 1st ch.

Fasten off, leaving a tail of yarn. With a yarn needle & tail of yarn, sew the hanging loop onto the top of the Elf’s Hat. Weave in ends. Continue on to Trim Elf’s Hair.

Hanging Loop Alternative

You could also use a 6″ piece of ribbon as a hanging loop, instead.

Then attach it to the top of the Elf’s hat, with a needle and thread.

Trim Elf’s Hair

After your elf is assembled, trim his hair as shown in the photo on the right. I trimmed it a little, but also combed it to the left and right with the tip of my yarn needle.

Crocheting an elf candy cane holder is an enjoyable and rewarding holiday project that spreads cheer to everyone who sees it. Whether you’re crafting for family, friends, or your own festive decor, this whimsical crochet pattern is sure to bring smiles and holiday spirit.

Related: If you enjoyed making this gingerbread Christmas ornament, I think you’ll love the Santa Candy Cane Holder, Reindeer Candy Cane Holder Ornament, Snowman Candy Cane Holder, and Gingerbread Man & Girl Candy Cane Holders too!

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More Elf Christmas Decor

Do you LOVE Santa Decoration? If so, you may fall in love with this crochet pattern for kitchen decor, the Crochet Elf Kitchen Towel.