Cut the large marshmallows in half crosswise with scissors (not lengthwise) to give you two round marshmallow circles. Use your fingers to shape them back into a rounder shape. Set them aside.
Snap the small pretzel sticks in half. 88 pretzels will give you enough for 22 spiders with 8 legs each. Have some spares available just in case.
Melt one of the candy melts as per package directions in a small microwaveable bowl until completely melted, Only do one color at a time.
Dip the halved pretzel legs into the melted candy just to dip the spiked end in. You are not trying to coat the leg yet. This melted candy will help it stick to the marshmallow when it dries. Push the candied end of the leg into the side of the marshmallow. Repeat with the remaining legs to give you four on each side of the spider. Try to leave at least one gap for the face (see pictures) where there are no legs.
Place the marshmallows with legs on a piece of parchment paper to dry. If you do not wait for them to dry, they will fall out from the weight of the candy melts later. Repeat with the remaining marshmallows for that color (12 total for purple, 10 total for black).
Place one of the dried marshmallows with pretzel legs onto the prongs of a fork. I find this is easiest if you have one set of legs hanging off each side of the fork and not up against the fork handle. Use a spoon to spoon the melted candy over the entire marshmallow and each leg. Tap the fork against the edge of the bowl to knock off the extra candy melt.
Push the spider off the fork with the spoon onto the parchment paper. Immediately add two of the small candy eyes. Sprinkle the body area with the corresponding sugar sprinkles.
Repeat with the remaining spiders for that color.
Repeat this entire process with the other color.
Let the spiders dry until the melted candy is hardened, approximately 5 minutes.
Notes
The package of black candy melts is slightly smaller than the purple. Using half of a package will get you approximately 12 purple spiders or 10 black spiders. This recipe is for half a package of both combined.These marshmallows are fun as-is, or in a cup of hot chocolate!Keep them away from heat or warmth when finished as the candy melts and gel will soften and melt.The candy eyes are the smallest of three versions that I found. There was no size listed on the package of the eye itself but each eye is 5/16 of an inch in diameter. Click here for a link to this product.I found the marshmallows and candy stick to a cooling rack, even if sprayed. You can get them off with a knife but lose some of the bottom pieces. Now I put them straight on parchment to dry, but be sure that most of the extra candy was tapped off. Otherwise, it will pool around the pumpkins and make a ring.