Free Valentine's Pattern, Chocolate Candy Earrings

National Chocolate Day (aka Valentine's Day) is right around the corner. I'm not much of a hearts-and-flowers kind of gal, but who can argue with a nice big chocolate truffle? Certainly not me. I do crochet plenty of cute things, but generally stop short of cutesy, and I think this pattern fits into my style with a Valentine's twist. Chocolate Candy Earrings!

I made these in two sizes and a variety of colors to show off the possibilities, though I'm sure infinite varieties could be made if you chose. This is a simple, quick, and easy pattern you can whip up in a flash for a fun gift for your valentine (or for yourself!).  

Large size, in pink and black

Small size, in brown and light pink

Directions for both sizes are given below. The small size measures about 1" in diameter while the large measures about 1 1/4." Because they're made of just a bit of yarn and polyester fiberfill, even the larger earrings are very light and comfortable to wear.

Valentines Chocolate Candy Earrings

Materials

• A small amount of worsted weight yarn in the color of your choice for candy. Shown in Caron Simply soft in Chocolate and Soft Pink
• Embroidery Floss in the color of your choice for decorative swirl
• US G (4 mm) hook
• Tapestry needle
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing
• Two flat post earring back
• Felt (Optional)
• Hot glue 

Notes

• Worked in a spiral; do not join rounds unless otherwise noted. Do not turn at ends of rounds.
•  Repeat directions following * to end of round, unless otherwise noted.
• You may find it easier to do the embroidery before completing the candy pieces as the opening is quite small when finished. After round 4 for the small size, or 5 for the large size, drop the yarn to do the embroidery and then pick it back up to finish.

Abbreviations

ch: chain

sc: single crochet

hdc: half-double crochet

sl: slipstitch

inc: increase (crochet two stitches in one space)

dec: decrease (crochet two stitches together)

BLO: back loops only

Gauge

Gauge is not crucial for this project 
Instructions

Small Size

Make a magic ring.

1:  Sc 6 into magic ring. Mark end of this and following rounds. Do not join.

2:  *Sc inc, sc.  (9)

3:  *Sc inc, sc 2.  (12)

4:  *Sc.

5:  Sl to join with first st. BLO: ch 1, *sc dec. Sl to join with first st.  (6)

Tie off, leaving a long tail to close up bottom.

Large Size

Make a magic ring.

1:  Sc 6 into magic ring. Mark end of this and following rounds. Do not join.

2:  *Sc inc.  (12)

3:  *Sc inc, sc 2.  (16)

4-5:  *Sc.

6:  Sl to join with first st. BLO: ch 1, *hdc dec. Sl to join with first st.  (8)

Tie off, leaving a long tail to close up bottom.

Swirl

Cut a length of embroidery floss at least 4 feet long. With a double thickness of floss, backstitch around the spiral of stitches, starting close to the center. Insert the needle from the wrong side and make a small stitch (about 1 sc). Moving around the spiral, pull up needle in the next space and stitch back two, so the stitches form a continuous line. Be sure to insert the needle in front of the thread from the previous stitch for the smoothest line.

 

Finishing

Stuff candy with a small amount of polyester fiberfill. With a tapestry needle, weave yarn tail through remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end.

Hot glue the earring backing in place, either in the center or toward the top (recommended for the large size candies). If desired, cut a circle of felt slightly larger than your flat post earring back. Press the post through the center of the felt and glue in place. I find this attaches the post more securely than only gluing it to the yarn.

You're ready to wear your love of candy on your sleeve. Or, rather, your ears. Happy Chocolate Day!