Things You'll Need
Yarn
Crochet hook
Large knitting needle, oversized crochet hook or (traditionally) broomstick
Broomstick lace is a unique style of crochet that allows you to create an interesting lacy design. It uses the same basic techniques as regular crochet. In fact, it only requires knowledge of the single crochet stitch. However, the introduction of a new tool, the tool you crochet around, creates a unique final effect. You use a crochet hook to pull loops onto a knitting needle or large crochet hook, then group the loops to create the lace effect. This example shows a starting chain of 20 stitches grouped in sets of four loops.
Step 1
Just like any other crochet project you'll need yarn and a crochet hook. The only other thing you need is a large knitting needle, an oversized crochet hook or some other round surface to hold the loops of your lace. Traditionally a broomstick was used, hence the name "broomstick lace" Please see the last slide for an itemized list of tools and materials.
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Step 2
Form a slipknot: create a loop with the yarn, insert your hook through the loop and grab the tail of the yarn to close the knot onto the hook.
Step 3
Start the chain. Complete a "yarn over" and pull the yarn through the slipknot to make the first loop in the chain.
Step 4
Continue until you have the full length of your starting chain. (The length of the chain depends on what you are making as well as how many loops you want to group together. It's common to group four to six loops for broomstick lace projects.)
Crochet the final chain loop working over the base of your knitting needle.
Step 5
Working backward across your starting row, insert your crochet hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull a loop up on to your knitting needle.
Step 6
Repeat across the row so that there is one loop on the knitting needle for each loop that was in your starting chain. (This example shows twenty loops on the knitting needle.) Remove the hook from the work and leave the loops on the knitting needle.
Step 7
Begin to group the stitches: Insert your hook through the top of the first four loops on the end of the knitting needle. Yarn over and pull the yarn through to close the set.
Step 8
Crochet four single crochets in the space for the gathered stitches. Repeat between each set of grouped stitches. Note: if you are grouping a different number of loops in each section, crochet the same number of single crochets as the number of loops in the group.
Step 9
Repeat steps 6 and 7 across the row, gathering four stitches, and then making four single crochets for each set until you reach the end of the row. Finish with a single crochet in the final set of four loops.
Step 10
Create the next row: Insert your hook into each single crochet, pull a loop up on to the knitting needle and repeat steps 4 to 8.
Tip
You can stabilize your needle as you work by holding it between your legs; this makes it easier to pull the loops over the needle.
The larger your knitting needle (or broomstick), the more open and lacy the stitch will appear so if you want a lacier look then choose a fatter needle to work around.
Refer to your crochet pattern; it will provide additional instructions unique to the specific item that you are crafting.
Warning
There is a learning curve to adjust to the process of pulling loops up onto the knitting needle. It gets easier as you work the broomstick lace stitch pattern.
It is more difficult to work with yarns that don't have a lot of stretch so try starting with a very stretchy acrylic yarn.
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