Candy Cane Hot Pad

Did You Know?

This free knitting pattern features the distinctive shape of a candy cane. Have you ever wondered how this sweet treat got its shape or why these delectable peppermint sticks are often associated with the Christmas season? According to folklore, in 1670, a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany was trying to figure out a way to quiet the noisy children during the Christmas Eve church service. He asked a local candy maker for some sweet sticks for them to suck on during the service; and in order to justify giving children candy during worship, he asked the candy maker to add a crook to the top of each stick. The crook would remind the children of the shepherds who paid infant Jesus a visit. The candy canes were a big hit in Germany and quickly spread to other parts of Europe, where they were given out during Nativity pageants. Thus, the candy cane became associated with Christmastime.