All these beaded candy canes are made from common materials:

• seed beads in different sizes
• beading thread
• wire for stiffening

More information about the seed beads

The exact choice of beads and bead quantities will vary a little, depending on the design you are making. Typically, you will require about 5g of size 11, 7g of size 8 and 10g of size 6 seed beads per candy cane.

Each candy cane uses a combination of different bead sizes, so there will be some variation depending on the mixture of sizes that you choose. Each individual pattern that I am sharing will give you the exact needs for that design.

This class is also about encouraging you to get creative, so I will be sharing different ideas and inviting you to experiment on your own. Don't worry - that isn't as scary as it may sound...I am here to help guide you. And, once you have made one or two of my designs, you will understand how to create different mixes of bead size and colour. So, it's about having fun after that! Of course, you will need to work out your own bead quantities for the designs that you create, but that isn't difficult.

If possible, I would recommend getting a combination of red and white beads in sizes 11, 8 and 6, so that you have the flexibility to mix and match as you wish. And you may already have beads in your stash that you can use up.

Any seed bead brand is fine for this project, and (unusually), you can also mix different brands within the same candy cane. I prefer to use rounded seed beads as they are cheaper than delicas (or other cylinder bead brands), and it's not necessary to have the precision of a cylinder bead. But this project will work with cylinder beads if you wish. So, you have a lot of flexibility.

I have also created and shared a couple of patterns that use two-holed seed beads (specifically, superduos and rullas). So, you can try my designs, or use this inspiration to experiment on your own with different types of seed bead.

Once you become confident with the basic technique, you can also add pearls, crystals, or daggers into the mix to create more interesting textures. Again, these could be items that you already have in your stash and have been wondering how to use.

More information about the thread

I chose to use fireline beading thread. You can work with other threads if you prefer. The trick to this project is getting your tension right, so it is neither too tight nor too loose. You will see, I have included a video with tips on the perfect tension for a candy cane.

Part of creating the ideal tension is down to your technique (how tightly you pull on the thread on each stitch). But tension is also affected by your choice of beading thread. So, if you are struggling to get the ideal tension with one thread type, simply switch to try something different.

As you are working with red and white beads, I recommend using white, clear or crystal thread.

If you do choose to include crystal beads in your design, then you will want to use a thread that won't break easily...sharp edges on crystal beads can cause nylon threads (like KO, nymo, c-lon, etc.) to break. So, just bear that in mind.

More information about the wire

You also have some flexibility over the wire you choose to use. You are best to use a wire that comes in straight lengths, rather than something curled onto a spool. If you wire is curled before you start, that is going to make it harder to shape your candy cane.

I recommend using silver wire (or white...but that is harder to find). I have, in the past, used lengths of wire sold in floristry shops. Or try your local (general) craft shop. You can use 18ga wire, and if you find a single length is too fine to fill your candy cane, it's fine to add multiple pieces of wire inside one cane.

Many years ago, I managed to find a much thicker, larger gauge wire that was also very soft and bendy. It is aluminium and 2mm width. It actually came from a German company originally, but was sold in my local (UK) craft shop. I have just checked and found it is still available on the website, so here is the link if you wish to investigate that: https://www.the-wire-man.com/blumendraht/produkte/deco/aluminiumdraht/matt-aluminiumdraht-o-2-mm/

The main point is, you don't have to use a 'specific' wire. Experiment with whatever you can find easily near you, and don't be afraid to try things like using multiple lengths of a finer wire if you need to. You simply want something that is going to support your beadwork in its candy cane shape.