A traditional shepherd's crook is made from a wooden walking stick and a curved ram's horn, and is used to hook animals around the neck. Of course, for a Little Bo Peep costume, you don't need such a high level of authenticity. You can make your own shepherd's crook with a few household goods that will stand up to the pressure of a Halloween party, if not controlling an unruly sheep. If Christmas lawn accessories are out of season, purchase a metal or plastic shepherd's hook from a garden centre.

  • A traditional shepherd's crook is made from a wooden walking stick and a curved ram's horn, and is used to hook animals around the neck.
  • You can make your own shepherd's crook with a few household goods that will stand up to the pressure of a Halloween party, if not controlling an unruly sheep.

Purchase a plastic candy cane lawn accessory and a dowel rod with a diameter that closely matches the diameter of the base of the candy cane. The dowel rod should be long enough to make the crook approximately as tall as the person carrying it.

Attach one end of the dowel rod to the bottom of the candy cane's base using duct tape or hot glue. Make sure that it is sturdy enough to hold together when the bottom is held off the ground.

Saw off the bottom of the dowel rod if the crook is too tall. The hook of the crook should reach about to the carrier's head.

  • Saw off the bottom of the dowel rod if the crook is too tall.

Paint the crook or wrap it in ribbon to make it uniform in colour. Allow it to dry, if painting. Glue the ends of the ribbon in place, if you're wrapping the crook.

Purchase a lightweight metal or plastic garden hook from a garden centre.

Use a hacksaw to saw off the smaller hook at the bottom of the larger hook. If the crook is too tall, use the saw to cut several inches off the bottom of the staff.

Paint the crook or wrap it in ribbon. If wrapping the crook, glue the ends of the ribbon in place. Allow the glue or paint to dry.

TIP

Customise the colour of your crook to match your costume.

WARNING

Watch out for sharp or rough edges when sawing off parts of the crook. If necessary, sand down these surfaces before carrying, especially if the crook is intended for a child. Do not allow a child to carry a metal shepherd's crook.