Broomstick Lace - Photo Tutorial

  How To Crochet Broomstick Lace
Photo Tutorial

   I have to admit, I put off trying broomstick lace for a long time because it looked so intricate that I assumed it would be frustrating! Now, I'm so glad I gave it a shot, because it's super easy and looks so pretty and detailed when it's finished. So, I'm going to show you how to do broomstick lace and give you some tips for customizing your own broomstick lace project! In my next post I'll have a free pattern for a circle scarf using the Broomstick Lace stitch.
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Let's get started!

  Materials:

-Yarn. The great thing about this is, you can use whatever kind of yarn you like. Use something easy and comfortable for you. For this tutorial, I'm using Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn (Swatch is done in "Orchid" colorway).
-Hook. Again, you can use whatever hook you like. It's best to choose a hook that compliments your yarn. For this tutorial, I used an H 5.00mm hook.
-"Broomstick." Now it's probably not super convenient to use a broomstick to make your loops. You can use the end of a big plastic crochet hook, a big knitting needle, or anything that works for you. I actually swiped a mallet out of our kitchen and used the handle! It's roughly equivalent to a 16mm needle, plus I can hold the other end between my knees while working. My husband calls it my crochet hammer. But use whatever works best for you! The even make special tools just for broomstick lace. Just remember that your loops will be around the size of whatever tool you use.

And coffee, because...coffee.

Now, let's talk about sizing.
You need to figure out how many broomstick lace stitches you want to make per row, and how many loops you want in each one. The fewer loops you have per stitch, the lacier your stitches will be. I've found that 4 loops per stitch is just about perfect.
Once you know how many stitches and loops you want, it's time for some math. Multiply the two numbers to find out how many chains to make. Add 1 for your turning chain.
Example: 4 stitches x 4 loops each = 16 chains + 1 turning chain = 17 chains.
See? Easy! We'll use the 4 stitches with 4 loops example for this tutorial.

Broomstick Lace Stitch
Step 1: Make your chain. Chain 17.
Step 2: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook, and each chain across. You should have 16 single crochets.

At this point the piece really wants to curl up.

Step 3: Time to make our loops! After your last single crochet, you should have a loop on your hook. Turn your work and pull up this loop and pull it over your tool/needle/big hook. The taller your loops, the taller and lacier your stitches will be.

Insert your hook into the next single crochet, pull up another loop, and pull it over your tool. Continue this way in each single crochet, all the way across. You should have 16 loops. Turn.

Step 4: Remove the number of loops you want per stitch from your tool. In this case, take the first 4 loops off the tool. Insert your hook into all 4 loops, yarn over, and pull through all 4 loops. Chain 1.
Now, single crochet around the first set of loops as many times as you have loops. In this case, 4 single crochets. This completes your first stitch.

Pull off the next 4 loops, and single crochet around the set of loops 4 times. Repeat this for each set of 4 loops. You should have 4 broomstick stitches, with 4 single crochets in the top of each.

At this point, your piece may still want to curl. This should go away after a few more rows.

Step 5: Turn and repeat step 3 by pulling up a loop in each single crochet across. You should have 16 loops.
Step 6: Repeat step 4.

And that's it! Just keep repeating steps 5 & 6 for as long as you want your swatch to be. Finish on a repeat of row 6.


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Here's a few reminders and tips for customizing your project:
- Remember the equation for your chain: (# of stitches X # of loops per stitch) + 1 turning chain.
-Work off your loops one stitch at a time. Keeping your other loops on your tool will help them keep their size until you get to them.
-Work one single crochet around the set of loops for each loop in the set. Ex. 4 loops = 4 single crochets.

If you have any questions about this tutorial, feel free to comment! I'm working on bringing you a free pattern for a broomstick lace circle scarf. Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!