One of the things I love most about crochet is that it gives us the opportunity to make something special for someone else. This Christmas, my crochet group has decided to put our hooks to work for a wonderful cause. We’re making lap blankets and shawls to donate to a local retirement home, hoping to bring a little extra warmth and holiday cheer to the residents.
It’s the perfect opportunity to combine two of my personal crochet goals for 2026!
At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to downsize my ever-growing yarn stash. If you’re a crocheter, you probably understand that this is easier said than done! Somehow, yarn seems to multiply when we’re not looking. I decided it was time to put some of those forgotten skeins to good use, so I pulled out all my Christmas-colored yarn and started looking for inspiration.
My other goal for 2026 was to learn some new stitches and techniques. I wanted to challenge myself a little rather than automatically reaching for the same familiar patterns and stitches. That’s when I started thinking about spirals.
I thought a spiral design worked in traditional Christmas colors would be beautiful. Red and white twisting together immediately brought peppermint candy to mind! You know those classic red-and-white peppermint swirls that show up everywhere during the holidays? That’s exactly the look I had in mind.
And so, a little Christmas peppermint inspiration turned into my next crochet adventure!
I love how the colors work together, and the spiral adds visual interest without needing an overly complicated design. It’s also a fun way to practice a new technique while making something useful and meaningful.
The best part? Every skein of Christmas yarn I use is one less skein taking up space in my stash, and every finished blanket or shawl will help make someone’s Christmas a little cozier.
It’s a win-win!
Do you crochet for charity? I’d love to hear about the projects you’ve made for nursing homes, hospitals, shelters, or other organizations. And if you’re working on downsizing your yarn stash, tell me: Are you actually using up your yarn, or does it seem to magically replenish itself?
Come join our Facebook community and show off your charity makes! Plus, you can stay up to date on everything happening! Share your latest projects, connect with fellow crocheters, ask questions, and find plenty of inspiration along the way.
We’d love to have you stitch along with us!
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CYyuWsXEd/
Happy hooking!
Candy Cane Lapghan
Blanket measures 48″ diameter and uses approximately 1080 yards of worsted weight yarn with a K (6.5 mm) hook.
Directions:
Rnd 1: Start with color B and make a magic ring. Ch 1, sc, hdc, 4 dc, then pull up lp in last dc to use on next rnd. Attach color A in magic ring, ch 1, sc, hdc, 4 dc, pull up lp in last dc (12 sts). Tighten magic ring. Do not join rnds.
Rnd 2: With Color B, pick up lp and work 2 dc in each st. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, work 2 dc in each st (24 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Rnd 3: With Color B, pick up lp and work *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times (36 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Rnd 4: With Color B, pick up lp and work *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times (48 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Rnd 5: With Color B, pick up lp and work *1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, *1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times (60 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Rnd 6: With Color B, pick up lp and work *1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, *1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times (72 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Rnd 7: With Color B, pick up lp and work *1 dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, *1 dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times (84 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Rnd 8: With Color B, pick up lp and work *1 dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, *1 dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times (96 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Rnd 9: With Color B, pick up lp and work *1 dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, *1 dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times (108 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Rnd 10: With Color B, pick up lp and work *1 dc in next 8 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times. Pull up lp in last dc. Go back to color A and pick up lp, *1 dc in next 8 sts, 2 dc in next st,* 6 times (120 dc). Pull up lp in last dc.
Continue to work in same manner switching colors and increasing 12 dc each rnd until your blanket reaches desired size.
On last rnd of Color B after last dec, work dc, hdc, sc, sl st. Fasten off yarn. Continue with Color A to make one complete rnd. Then work dc, hdc, sc, sl st to finish rnd.
Edging:
Continuing with Color A, *sk 2 sts, 7 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. Fasten off yarn.
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