How to…Crochet Your Own Cupcake Garland (DIY Tutorial by Twinkie Chan) + Giveaway!

March 5, 2011 in Competitions, DIY Tutorials, Guest Posts | Written by Kat

This contest is now closed

I have adored Twinkie Chan from afar for a long time. Her “Eat your cake… and wear it too!” motto kind of speaks to my sweet tooth-loving self you see! Her colourful and super kawaii blog has brought daily rays of sunshine into my life for quite a while now ad I’m pretty much jumping over rainbows with the excitement of sharing our little collaboration with you all today!

For those of you not familiar with Twinkie Chan, she is a crocheting marvel from San Francisco who has risen to fame with her cute and food inspired creations. She has made everything from scarf’s, hair accessories and other wearable goodies from wool and her designs literally fly off the shelves as soon as she posts them to her etsy store. In short, she makes crocheting cool again! She’s even released a tutorial book of some of her adorable creations, which got me thinking…

At the end of the year I was brainstorming some new ideas for the blog and, after seeing these adorable coffee cup cozies that she’s just relased (and yes I did get one!) I knew I had to get this lady on Rock n Roll Bride…somehow.

So I emailed the multi-coloured marvel (we are also pink hair twins…another reason to love her) to see if she’d be interested in creating a DIY tutorial for my readers. I assured her that even though my blog was a wedding-related one, that my readers like anything BUT the usual wedding fluff, and that one of her awesome crochet creations would certainly fit in over here.

Behold…the created-especially-for-Rock n Roll Bride – cute as hell, crochet cupcake garland tutorial!

♥ ♥ ♥

When Kat approached me to contribute a tutorial to Rock n Roll Bride, I was so honored, but also a bit confused about how I might translate a Twinkie Chan project into something fun for your wedding! With some brainstorming from the brilliant Kat, we decided to inspire you with some super cute cupcake garlands! Whether your special day is indoor or outdoor, these sweet little strings of sugar are sure to add a magical and personal touch to your wedding decorations. There are so many possibilities as far as color combinations and cupcake toppings that your garlands can range from quirky and goofy to charming and sweet. If you and your pals all know how to crochet, these garlands are a terrific way to meet up while creating something together for your wedding!

For the most part, you can crochet your cupcake garland using the same basic techniques in the Cupcake Scarf pattern in my book “Twinkie Chan’s Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies: 20 Yummy Treats to Wear.” However, we will be making a small change to the cake-bottom portion of the cupcakes in our garlands, not only to make them more light weight, but to also minimize any potential curling.

Pattern

You will need:

-An I hook (5.5mm)

-A ball of worsted weight yarn in your Frosting Color (FC)

-A ball of worsted weight yarn in your Cake Color (CC)

-A small amount of worsted weight yarn in Red for your cherries

-Optional: twine in roughly the same gauge as your yarn, for stringing your cupcakes

-An assortment of pom poms, beads, small bows, or cabochons, to decorate your cupcakes

In my sample garlands, I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarns as well as Red Heart Super Saver.

Abbreviations:

Ch(s): chain(s)

Dc: double crochet

Dec: decrease

Hdc: half double crochet

Sc: single crochet

Sl st: slip stitch

St(s): stitch(es)

FROSTING (I made 8 cupcakes, because the number 8 is lucky to the Chinese! But you can add more for a longer garland. My garland ends up being about 52 inches unstretched, and up to 6 feet when hanging and stretching. Just remember, the longer it is, the heavier it will be!)

With FC, ch 3 and sl st to first ch to form loop.

Row 1: Ch 3 (acts as your first dc), work 5 more dc into loop. Turn. (6 sts)

Row 2: (Ch 3, dc) in same st, (2 dc) each in next 5 dc. Turn. (12 sts)

Row 3: (Ch 3, dc) in same st, 1 dc in next st. [(2 dc), 1 dc] 5 times. (18 sts). Don’t break off.

Rotate your completed half-circle clockwise. On the straight edge of this half-circle, you will be working a row of 4 scallops. Imagine breaking the straight edge into 4 quadrants. (Fig.1)

Row 1: Ch 1, (4 dc) into first 1/8, sl st into 2/8. (4 dc) into 3/8, sl st into 4/8. (4 dc) into 5/8, sl st into 6/8. (4 dc) into 7/8, sl st into 2nd ch of the main piece. Break off. Weave in your ends.

CAKE

You will notice a slight difference between the front and back of your Frosting. It really doesn’t matter which side you pick to work from. Just be consistent throughout your work. I prefer to call the “front” the side on which the scallops bubble out rather than bubble in. This “front” is also the right side (rather than the wrong side) of your final scalloped frosting row.

Keep holding the Frosting upside down, with the frosting scallops on top, right side facing you. See Fig. 2 to help you place your stitches.

With CC:

Row 1: Insert hook into 2nd to last dc, work 1 sc, [skip next dc, (2 dc) down inside sl st, skip next dc, 1 sc in each of next 2 dc] 2 times. Skip next dc, (2 dc) inside last sl st, skip next dc, 1 sc in next dc. (12 sts)

Row 2: Ch 2, turn. 1 hdc in each st all the way across. (12 sts)

Row 3: Ch 2, turn. Hdc dec, 8 hdc across, hdc dec. (10 sts)

Row 4: Ch 2, turn. Hdc dec, 6 hdc across, hdc dec. (8 sts). Break off. Weave in your ends. Add Cake onto all your Frosting pieces.

CHERRIES (Make 8, or however many to match each of your cupcakes. If you plan to hang your garland under an arch or in a place where both the front and back of your cupcakes will be visible, you may want to make cherries for the other side of all your cupcakes. If you don’t feel like crocheting the cherries, you can also sew or glue on red pom poms or buttons or whatever you like!)

Before beginning, unravel about 8 inches of Red yarn to use as stuffing later. Do not break off.

Round 1: Ch 2. Work 6 sc into 1 st ch. Sl st to first sc to join.

Round 2: Ch 1, (2 sc) in same space, sc in next sc, [(2 sc) in next sc, 1 sc in next sc] 2 times. Sl st to first sc to join. (9sts)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Sl st to first sc to join. (9 sts) Break off leaving around 10-12 inches for sewing. Weave in the beginning end of your yarn, using this opportunity to close up the center hole if there is one, and tie off but don’t break off. Turn the cherry inside out so that the right side of your work is the outside of the cherry. Use the inside tail as stuffing for the cherry (add or subtract yarn as you see fit, but I don’t like to overstuff). Sew cherry to top of cupcake.

DECORATE your cupcakes! I usually go for rainbow mini pom pom sprinkles and washable fabric glue. However, for this tutorial, I also tried to make a slightly more grown up cupcake by experimenting with neutral-toned beads, crystals, and faux pearls.

STRING YOUR CUPCAKES TOGETHER

In making my samples for this tutorial, I did find there was a lot of stretchiness due to the weight of the cupcakes, so you might opt for using twine to string your cupcakes rather than yarn, if you can find some that is not too thick. Using twin, your CC, or any color you like, ch 10. Sl st to 1st ch to form a big loop. You can use this to hang your garland.

Continue to ch 30. Sl st to the top of one cupcake.

[Continue to ch 25. Sl st to the top of another cupcake.] Repeat for as many cupcakes as you have.

After slip stitching into your final cupcake, ch 40, and then sl st to the 10th ch from your hook to form another hanging loop. Break off. Weave in all your ends. Tada! You’ve just completed your magical cupcake garland!

♥ ♥ ♥

But that’s not all…oh no! The adorable Twinkie Chan would like to give both the samples she created for this tutorial to two very lucky Rock n Roll Bride readers! To enter to win your very own Twinkie Chan original, simply comment below before Wednesday 9th March 2011, stating which colour combo (pink & blue or pink & white) you would like. The winners will be picked at random and announced in Thursday Treats on the 10th March.

This contest is now closed

And if you use this tutorial to make your very own cupcake garland for your wedding (or just for fun!) you simply MUST send us some photos!!

209 comments

Emma March 6, 2011 at 00:15

I fear that in my more tired hours of marking assignments, that I might just lean on over and nibble on a thread of pink and blue. This is a risk I am willing to take in order to have these beauties adorn my wall, shoudlers, cat, curtins…the list is endless.
Aprille Roberts March 6, 2011 at 00:22

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these! <3 So precious! Thanks for sharing these
Lola March 6, 2011 at 00:34

LOVE LOVE them both but the blue & pink are my favourite!
Thanks millions to Rock’n'roll bride AND Miss Twinkie Chan for the super crafting project xx
Janine March 6, 2011 at 01:46

Love them! Would adore the blue and pink!
shannon thompson March 6, 2011 at 02:01

pink and white.
these are so adorable..

darkgothdoll@hotmail.com
Hollie March 6, 2011 at 02:23

Oh my cute overload!!! I’m definitely going to have to find someone to make me those pink and white ones to go with my cupcake kitchen!
Kristen March 6, 2011 at 03:11

I’d love to win the pink and blue. I’m a freak for cupcakes and this would look awesome in my kitchen.
sunny v March 6, 2011 at 03:15

pink and white FTW!!!!!
Alicia March 6, 2011 at 03:39

I love them both! Blue is my favorite color though – so I’d have to say that I like the pink and blue one more.

Thanks for the tutorial AND giveaway!
Cleo March 6, 2011 at 05:08

super cute modification! crocheted cupcakes are the only cupcakes i can have right now so i am just gaga over them pink and white pink and white!
Enedina Nava March 6, 2011 at 05:11

I want win the garland pink and white!!!!!
Twinkie Chan ROCKS!!!
MamaBones March 6, 2011 at 05:29

I want that clock!
Brianna March 6, 2011 at 05:36

Ooh, def. the pink one. They’re so cute!!
Phillipa March 6, 2011 at 05:59

ooh cupcakes! look good enough to eat! so sweet, i love them! xxx
deer donna March 6, 2011 at 06:46

oh my god i would loooove pink and white ones. my goodness they are perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angela March 6, 2011 at 08:19

Wow these are awesome, i would love the blue and white one for my wedding! x
Diane Marsland March 6, 2011 at 08:29

I love these and have recently got back to crochet………. so I shall get the hooks out…..
Allison March 6, 2011 at 08:44

I LOVE the pink and white ones. Having a Twinkie original would be truly dreamy
Holly March 6, 2011 at 09:06

I would LOVE the pink and white one! Thanks, Twinkie!
Claudia March 6, 2011 at 09:12

pink and white! love it!
Hanski March 6, 2011 at 09:31

These are so cool, not seen a cupcake garland before! Not sure I’d have the patience to do them myself though. Both combos look fab =)
Check out my photo blog for pics of the red velvet cupcakes I made this week for work to celebrate my 21st birthday (which is actually today!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hanskiellis/?saved=1
Lauren March 6, 2011 at 10:44

These are so awesome! I’d love to win the pink/blue combo!
Nic March 6, 2011 at 11:37

Wow these are cupcake garlands are right up my street, they are so so cute and would fit in perfectly with my wedding theme!!! Twinkie is awesome!! Pink and white is my favourite x x
Melissa Davies March 6, 2011 at 16:02

I would love the pink and white ones, they are so cute and would go with my crafting themed wedding.
I’m a knitter but haven’t got my head round crocheting yet so these would be a brilliant addition to my knitted wedding items!
Jessica March 6, 2011 at 17:09

Pink and blue please! These are adorable!!
Lindsey March 6, 2011 at 18:00

these are amazing! i love the pink and white!
Louise March 6, 2011 at 18:24

Pink and Blue ! Absolutley stunning! Just sticked my kitchen up with cupcakes and these would look a cutesy treat hanging up :) xx
Summer March 6, 2011 at 20:05

I would love to have either of these hanigng in my office at work but just love he pink and blue ones! Thanks to both Rock N Roll Bride and Twinkie Chan for the tutorial!
Zombor March 6, 2011 at 20:22

Super cute!! I love the pink and white!
Meredith B March 6, 2011 at 20:57

I would love the pink and white and red one! It would match the colour scheme I’m planning PERFECTLY.
Maddie March 6, 2011 at 21:23

I’d love a cupcake with lavender icing and light yellow cake! And cherries! I’m moving to my first apartment next year and I would LOVE to make it all cheery with cupcakes!
Dublin March 6, 2011 at 23:07

Love the pink and white
stephanie March 7, 2011 at 00:31

pink and white please! love twinkie chan and love this idea!
colleen j. March 7, 2011 at 01:41

oooooooh i do love the pink and white ones!!
Jen March 7, 2011 at 02:35

Pink and blue!
Michelle March 7, 2011 at 04:24

I love the Pink & Blue cupcake garland! Its so cute! If I don’t win one I’ll just simply make one.
The Kraken Girl March 7, 2011 at 04:57

I LOVE Twinkie Chan! I also love the pink and white ones! Yay! Thanks Twinkie for the pattern!
Bambie March 7, 2011 at 05:37

How nifty, this would look adorable in my seven year old’s room!

I would love to win the pink and blue garland!
Claire D. March 7, 2011 at 07:50

These are just fab I would love the pink and white garland please! X
Julia March 7, 2011 at 10:06

WOW, I love twinkie’s crochet!! Pink & Blue would rock my wedding in September SO much xx
Annie-Blake Lavender March 7, 2011 at 11:55

i think i have just died and gone to cupcake heaven.

does it really get any cuter than white & blue cupcake garlands? we are having a whimsical 50s style wedding and our reception; on a boat, would luuurve these as decoration above the buffet table. oh how fabulous!

katherine-jane-@hotmail.com
Heidi V March 7, 2011 at 13:50

I would be so honored to win a genuine Twinkie Chan cupcake garland!! I’m especially loving the pink and blue combination!
Christine March 7, 2011 at 14:42

How fun and adorable!! The pink and blue is amazing.
Jillian March 7, 2011 at 15:03

Very cute design, Twinkie If I win, I’ll give this to my daughter for her bedroom. Her friends call her “Cupcake” in school. Pink and Blue!!
Lindsay farber March 7, 2011 at 15:05

Twinkles work is amazing!!! I’ve tried so many times to attempt these and have failed!!! Must practice more!!! the pink and white garland is so cute and I would totally rock it at my desk at work xoxo linzy

Twinkle… Do you have an instagram? If not you should I think ur stream would be great
carla de leon March 7, 2011 at 15:08

I love the pink and white! Good luck everyone!!!
Collorious March 7, 2011 at 15:10

I would LOVE the pink and white Garland! Thank you!!
Ricey March 7, 2011 at 15:17

The pink and white would look adorable in my nieces bedroom!!
Willow Renee March 7, 2011 at 15:27

How cute! I would want the pink and white one. Thank you! I love your blog btw…
chinamommy March 7, 2011 at 15:42

I think they both are adorable! but… I’ll pick pink and white I made the scarf for my daughter (who happens to look VERY much like Twinkie).
Thank you!