A wine red and cream candy cane curves to the left on a dark green background. We crocheted this small Christmas square and use it as a coaster. You can also add a loop at one corner to hang it, or join it with other squares for a cushion or blanket. Count carefully at the stripe ends, where many color runs are a single stitch, and around the curved top, where some rows change color eight times.

The free pattern has the full color chart (22 stitches by 26 rows, 3 colors), every row written out with its colors in right-handed working order, a printable pattern, and the chart as a picture to download. It explains how to read the chart with either hand, carry the colors and finish the square. An Other sizes table shows the dimensions at different stitch gauges.

You need: sport or DK weight yarn of about 160 m (175 yd) per 50 g in 3 colors (Dark green, Cream, Wine red) and a 3 mm hook. One 50 g ball of each color is more than enough. Dark green uses the most.

Gauge: 22 stitches and 26 rows in 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet, carrying the colors. US terms.

We drew this design stitch by stitch. No image AI was used.