Vintage Candy Cane Ornament DIY

I found this candy cane ornament with my collection of vintage Christmas ornaments made by my Grandmother.  Grandmom loved to make ornaments for her kids and grandchildren so I have quite a few that she made.

This DIY candy cane ornament is made from beads and lace and is quick and easy to make in about 20 minutes.  This is a fun craft for kids to make at a holiday party.

Learn more about making this DIY Candy Cane Ornament by watching our video or keep reading this article.

Vintage Candy Cane Ornament from my Collection on a Tree

WHAT YOU NEED to make the vintage candy cane ornament with beads and lace

• Red Pipe cleaner (cut in half)
• ¾” wide White beading lace - 32" long
• Approximately 40 Red triangle beads (in this Christmas Beaded Ornament Kit)
• Ribbon for bow
• Small Bell (optional)

I purchased a Christmas Bead Ornament kit from Amazon that includes pipe cleaners, triangle beads, ribbons, and bells.  There is enough to make many Vintage Candy Cane ornaments and other ornaments too.

The hardest thing to find for this candy cane ornament was the white beading lace.  The beading lace has larger holes in the center that are evenly spaced.  If you are searching for this lace, look for galloon lace or beading lace.  Search for lace that is 1/2" - 3/4" wide and has evenly spaced holes.

I found two different kinds of lace and will show how to use both of the lace for the candy cane ornaments.  More links to where to purchase the lace are available at the end of this tutorial.

INSTRUCTIONS for the vintage candy cane ornament

Step 1: Cut Pipe Cleaners

This ornament uses half of a pipe cleaner for each candy cane ornament.  Fold a red pipe cleaner in half and cut it on the fold with a pair of craft scissors.  

Turn under one end of the pipe cleaner about ¼”.  This will keep the beads and lace from falling off as the ornament is put together.

Using the First Lace with larger holes

The first lace is a 3/4" wide lace that has larger holes that are evenly spaced on the lace. This is a more frilly lace similar to the original vintage candy cane ornament.

Step 2: Cut Lace

Cut a piece of lace 32" long to use for this candy cane ornament.

Step 3: Alternate Beads and Lace

To create the candy cane ornament look, alternate between the red triangle beads and the lace.  Place a red triangle bead onto the straight end of the pipe cleaner and push it down about 1".

Thread the lace onto the pipe cleaner through the first hole at the end of the lace. Center the hole in the lace over the triangle bead.

Place another red triangle bead onto the pipe cleaner.  Center the hole in the lace and push the two triangle beads together.

The triangle beads are made to interlock together.  For this ornament, make sure the beads are turned so they interlock but have the lace in between.

Fold the lace over and insert the pipe cleaner through the next hole.  The lace will fold back and forth with a bead between each fold.

Next is the bead.

Push the beads and lace down about an inch at a time as you add more lace and beads.

Keep adding the beads and weaving the lace until the pipe cleaner is almost filled.  Leave about a 1/2" piece of pipe cleaner at the end for the bell.  If you are not going to add the bell, fill the pipe cleaner until about 1/4" from the end.

Using the Second Lace with smaller holes that are close together

The second lace is a 3/4" wide lace that has smaller holes that are evenly spaced on the lace. The holes in this lace are closer together so it needs to be threaded a little differently.

Step 2: Cut Lace

Cut a piece of lace 32" long to use for this candy cane ornament.

Step 3: Alternate Beads and Lace

To create the candy cane ornament look, alternate between the red triangle beads and the lace.  Place a red triangle bead onto the straight end of the pipe cleaner and push it down about 1".  Thread the pipe cleaner through the first hole at the end of the lace.

As you can see, this lace has holes but there is no gap between the holes.  It would be difficult to thread the lace through every hole of this lace.  So, instead of threading through every hole, skip a hole and thread the pipe cleaner through every other hole.

Thread a bead after each fold in the lace and nest them together as with the first lace.

Skip the hole next to the bead and thread every other hole in the lace.

This makes a nice wavy look to the lace.

Fill the pipe cleaner until there is about 1/2" left.  This is enough space to add the bell.  If you do not plan to add a bell, then fill the pipe cleaner until there is only 1/4" left.

Follow the next steps for either LACE

Step 4: Finishing off the end

Once the pipe cleaner is almost full, end with a bead, this will help to hold the lace onto the candy cane ornament.

If you are not adding a bell, leave about 1/4" of the pipe cleaner.  Twist the pointed end of the pipe cleaner in a circle towards the last bead.  This will hold the beads and lace in place.

Add Bell (optional)

Leave about 1/2" of the pipe cleaner if you want to add a bell.  Slide the bell onto the pipe cleaner.

Twist the end of the pipe cleaner into a circle to finish it off.  The pointed end should be towards the last bead.

Step 5: Trim the lace

If there is extra lace at the beginning or end of the pipe cleaner, trim the lace between the holes with a scissor.

Step 4: Bend into a candy cane shape

 Bend the pipe cleaner into a candy cane shape.  The bell can be at the top or bottom of the candy cane.  I like them at the bottom.

Step 4: Add a bow

Cut a length of ribbon, approximately 12" long, from the kit and tie it around the middle of the candy cane in a bow.

The Candy Cane ornament is complete.

Add an ornament hook to hang on a Christmas tree. If you prefer, tie on another length of ribbon to create a loop for hanging the ornament.

Finished Candy Cane Ornaments hanging on a Christmas Tree

Vintage Candy Cane Christmas Ornament

Here are some other DIY Christmas Ornament Crafts:

• Bird's Nest Ornament
• Christmas Wreath Ornament
• Snowman Ornament
• Fabric Yo-yo Snowman Ornament
• Felt Wreath Ornament
• Glitter Ornaments
• Plastic Canvas Basket Ornament
• Ribbon Filled Ornament
• Plastic Canvas Snowflake Ornament
• Beaded Snowman Ornament
• Spool Knitted Snowman Ornament
• Snowman Tea Light Ornament
• Stacked Christmas Tree Ornament
• Santa yo-yo Christmas tree ornament