What do you do with your left-over Candy Canes? You feature them on Pink Saturday☺

This Pink Saturday, instead of just showing you pink goodies around my house, and in the holiday spirit, I decided to do some internet sharing and gifting. Please, if you knit, feel free to grab the pattern for the adorable Christmas tree.

Left over Candy Canes in the house? Who doesn't? I'm sharing some of my favorite, and easy ways to use them after the Christmas tree is out the door. Don't forget - those red, pink and white hues are perfect for Valentine's Day and that is just around the corner! Enjoy! (Click on the photo of the recipe or project you would like to print.)

Fun Fur Kitschy-mas Tree Pattern

For large green tree:  1 skein Lion Brand Homespun in Pink (185 yards bulky weight); 2 skeins Lion Brand Fun-fur in Pink. (approximately 120 yards of novelty yarn).  Polyfill. 
Finished measurements:  Height: approx. 18 inches    Width/Diameter at base: approx. 11 inches.

With both yarns held together and size US 10 needles, cast on 5 stitches.
Knit 1 row. Join and continue to knit in the round.  Every third row you’ll want to increase 5 stitches by knitting in the front and the back of that stitch.
Row 1:  * k1fb *
Row 2 and 3:  k all
Row 4:  * k1fb k1 *
Rows 5 and 6 :  k all
Row 7:  * k1fb k2 *
Row 8 and 9:  k all
Row 10:  * k1fb k3*
Row 11 & 12:  k all

Continue these 3 rows, increasing 5 stitches every 3rd row as established until desired height is achieved.  For the tree in the photo, continue knitting until you run out of novelty yarn.  Bind off during a non-increasing row.

The base of the tree is single crocheted with the bulky yarn only, in the round using a size K hook (or hook size to give you a fairly stiff base. Loose is not the effect you’re looking for here.) until diameter of the base is the width of the tree. Sew the base to the tree, leaving an opening large enough to stuff with polyester stuffing. Once stuffed, finish the tree by sewing up the opening.  Fluff.

Small ornaments can either be hung, or sewn to the tree.  The tree is sturdy enough for a short string of lights as well. I like to leave mine 'naked' just cause it looks so cute when it is bare as a baby's bottom☺

Candy Cane Marshmallows

1 cup powdered sugar
5 teaspoons water
6 candy canes (ground)
1 bag of jumbo marshmallows
toothpicks
cookie sheet lined with wax paper

Directions

1. Pour powdered sugar in a bowl.
2. Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until you've created a thin glaze.
3. Place candy canes in a blender and blend until finely ground.
4. Place a toothpick in the end of marshmallow.
5. Roll marshmallow in glaze; covering botton and sides.
7. Roll marshmallow in candy canes until glaze is covered.
8. Place in freezer. They are done when the marshmallow pops off easily from the wax paper.

Store leftover in a bag in the freezer.Great treat to add to your hot chocolate! (Don't forget to remove the toothpick first.)

Candy Cane Instant Hot Chocolate 

Ingredients

• 1  cup  powdered milk
• 1  cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1  cup  granulated sugar
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  cup  miniature chocolate chips
• 1/2  cup  crushed peppermint candy canes
  

Preparation

Layer the ingredients for homemade cocoa in a jar, add a ribbon and a tag, and you have a simple but stylish gift. This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings), but if your containers are different sizes, just keep the ratio of ingredients constant. On the back of the tag, write: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."

Yield: Makes 1 quart mix or 12 servings hot cocoa.

Candy Cane Cool Whip

This stuff is really magic because it disappears in seconds when served to guests and family. Grab your uneaten Christmas candy canes and unwrap. Break in to chunks (the kids ♥ this part) and using your blender, crush them to powder with a little chunk here and a little chunk there left to add interest and texture.

For 16 oz. of whipping cream or Cool Whip, I use 1/2 cup of powdered peppermint candy folded in gently. It makes a fun pink cream with some tiny chunks. Make your hot cocoa and plop a nice, fluffy dollop of this fun topping into your cup. To store left over cream, just place it back into your emptied Cool Whip container and pop into the fridge or you may freeze again if you don't think you'll be using it up soon. If you need to store leftover peppermint powder, pour into a container with a tight lid and place in the cupboard away from heat.

Stop over to Beverly's HOW SWEET THE  SOUND for a list of more blogs that are participating in this fun weekend event. You'll be glad you did☺