Chinese Lucky Candy (a Chinese New Year Crochet Pattern)

A Chinese New Year crochet pattern that's full of good fortune. Inspired by the classic lucky candy, this playful pillow makes a bold and meaningful statement.

Crochet your own oversized lucky candy pillow inspired by a traditional Lunar New Year treat! These vibrant candies aren't just for eating. They symbolize good fortune and happiness. This fun and festive Chinese New Year crochet pattern is beginner-friendly and works up beautifully in bold red and gold.

Best of all, the candy pillow actually comes out of its wrapper, making it an extra playful and interactive piece for your home or a thoughtful handmade gift.

Table of Contents

What You Need / Materials

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Bulky weight Chenille/Blanket Yarn in the following colors:

Red (I used 2x Hobbii's Baby Snuggle in Red)
Pink (I used 1x Hobbii's Honey Bunny in Hint of Pink)

Bulky Weight Yarn in the following colors:

Yellow (I used 1x Hobbii's Amigo Giga in Sunflower)

8.0 mm Crochet Hook
Polyester Stuffing of your choice
Yarn Needle
Stitch Markers
Scissors

Yarns Substitutions

Finished Size

Finished amigurumi measures approximately 42 cm (16.5 inches) in height x 17.5 cm (7 inches) in width.

Level of Difficulty

★★☆☆☆ Beginner / Easy
Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), and basic cross stitching skills.

Stitches & Abbreviations

ch - chain
slst - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
sc inc - single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch
sc dec - single crochet decrease, single crochet 2 stitches together

Pattern Notes

This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
Work along the back bumps of the foundation chain for neater stitches.
Follow the tutorial on cross-stitching on single crochet for you to cross-stitch the Chinese characters onto your crocheted candy wrapper.
The turning chain does not count as a stitch.
Gauge: 10 cm x 10 cm (4" x 4") = 12 sc sts x 12 rows

Free Crochet Pattern

Candy Wrapper

Using an 8.0 mm crochet hook and red yarn...
Row 1: Ch 31, sc in the second loop from the hook and in every stitch across (30 sts)
Row 2-50: Sc in each st across (30 sts)

Before we cut and fasten...
Make a row of slst in each st across (30 sts). This is used to reinforce the last row so that it doesn't stretch from all the playing when you take the candy pillow in and out of the wrapper!

The wrapper piece was crocheted on its side (portrait orientation), so we will turn it to its side so that it will look like the picture below (landscape orientation).

Use yellow yarn to cross-stitch the Chinese characters as indicated in the diagram below:

Lai See Tong Chinese Lucky Candy Cross Stitch Graph

Chinese New Year Crochet Lai See Tong Chinese Lucky Candy

Candy Wrapper Edges (make 2)

Using an 8.0 mm crochet hook and red yarn...
Row 1: Ch 9, sc into the second loop from the hook, sc in each st across (8 sts)
Row 2-21: Sc in each st across (8 sts)
Cut and fasten off.

Use yellow yarn and a yarn needle to weave the yellow stripes into the wrapper edges.

Do this across the whole crochet candy wrapper edge.

Candy Pillow Sides (make 2)

Using an 8.0 mm crochet hook and pink yarn...
Row 1: Ch 10, sc into the second loop from the hook, sc in each st across (9 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc inc, 7 sc, sc inc (11 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc inc, 9 sc, sc inc (13 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc inc, 11 sc, sc inc (15 sts)

Row 5-23: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (15 sts)
Row 24: Ch 1, turn, sc dec, 11 sc, sc dec (13 sts)
Row 25: Ch 1, turn, sc dec, 9 sc, sc dec (11 sts)
Row 26: Ch 1, turn, sc dec, 7 sc, sc dec (9 sts)

Candy Pillow Edging

Using an 8.0 mm crochet hook and pink yarn...
Row 1: Ch 69, sc into the second loop from the hook, sc in each st across (68 sts)
Row 2-3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (68 sts)
Do NOT cut.

Assembly Instructions

Candy Wrapper Assembly

Fold in the area indicated as dark red in the diagram above. Note that the flaps will overlap.

Use a yarn needle and red yarn to sew it together, sandwiching the candy wrapper edges in the middle to hide the rough edges.

This will create a pocket opening for the candy pillow.

Lai See Tong Chinese Lucky Candy Pillow Envelope Pocket

Candy Pillow Assembly

When you finish crocheting the edge of the pillow, do not cut. Continue by slip-stitching along the sides of the candy pillow to the edging.

Remember to stuff your pillow with poly-fil and polyester stuffing before you close it!

And there you have it! Your very own Crochet Chinese Lucky Candy Pillow to celebrate Chinese New Year!

Inspiration Behind the Crochet Design

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and what better way to bring good luck and prosperity into your home than with a fun and festive crochet project?

Chinese New Year, Red Pocket Envelope and Lai See Lucky Candy

Credit: Jason Leung on Unsplash

Growing up, we always had these lucky candies, which we call Lai See Tong (利是糖), in the house during the Lunar New Year. The shiny red wrappers and the sweet strawberry flavor were staples that I didn't even realize were considered "lucky" until much later. For me, they've always been tied to celebration, family, and that warm feeling of togetherness.

This crochet pillow is my way of bringing that nostalgic joy into my home decor. It's a fun nod to my culture and tradition with a handmade twist. Plus, who wouldn't love a jumbo piece of candy on their couch?

“Lai See” (利是) is actually the name for red envelope money, something we gift during special occasions like Chinese New Year, weddings, birthdays, and graduations to wish others good luck. So even though these are just candies, the symbolism runs deep.

I hope you love this project as much as I do. My daughter loved it so much she wanted to sleep with it the night I finished it! And the best part? The candy pillow actually comes out of its wrapper! How cute is that?!

Creative Uses and Ideas

Lunar New Year Home Decor: Add a festive touch to your living room, entryway, or kids' space.
Photo Prop: Great for Lunar New Year family photos or festive social media content.
Gift Idea: Handmade and meaningful for friends and family celebrating Chinese New Year
Classroom or Cultural Display: Use it as a soft, educational prop for teaching kids about Lunar New Year traditions.
Nursery or Playroom Accent: Soft and safe enough for little ones to cuddle or play with.
Red Envelope Delivery: Tuck red pockets inside the candy for a cute and surprising twist!

Share Your Creation with Me!

Did you make this project? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.

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This is an original crochet pattern written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you wish to share this crochet pattern, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.

You may sell products made from this crochet pattern, but please credit the design to Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio, and provide a link to my blog www.OnceUponaCheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for understanding!

Once Upon a Cheerio