The next crochet technique I need to learn as part of the crochet course I’m doing is Broomstick Crochet. I have never tried this technique before (and I hadn’t really ever heard of it either) so it was a completely new skill for me to learn from scratch. The technique was traditionally worked using a broomstick handle to create the large loops, hence the term ‘Broomstick’. Nowadays we have very large knitting needles that we can use to create the loops instead.
Now, I have to admit I have found it a tricky technique to master. I have struggled to find a comfortable position in which to hold the large knitting needle. I have a 20mm wooden knitting needle and above you can see my first attempt using 4ply cotton and a 3.5mm crochet hook.
Then on to my second attempt…
Not entirely happy with this finished sample (and I restarted it numerous times!) I tried again, this time using a thicker Aran weight yarn and a 5.5mm hook…
A little happier with this result but not 100% satisfied I succumbed to YouTube videos for tips. This always leads to further confusion as each video I watched had different instructions, suggestions and advice. So I tried to pick the best of them all, plus the crochet books and a magazine I had to read up on the technique, and I produced my final sample…
This one I’m happy with and I’ll be submitting it later this week. I went back to a 4 ply yarn but used a wool instead of cotton which seemed to produce a neater result (or maybe I was just starting to get the hang of it!)
Have any of you tried Broomstick crochet and how did you get on? Any advice or suggestions gratefully received!
Happy crocheting Everyone 🙂
I’d heard of broomstick crochet but never seen it-it’s beautiful, well done. 😊
Thanks so much 🙂
No, haven’t heard of it but it looks really different – great set of samples.
Thank you so much. It crochets up really quickly too which is a little bonus 🙂
This stitch is on my bucket list to try. Your finished pieces look great!
Thanks so much Brenna- there are just so many things on my list to try too x
Another thing to add to my ever growing list! It’s beautiful 🙂
Thanks so much Alida. I know, these lists are just too long 🙂
I’ve seen some beautiful scarves using this technique but never been brave enough to try it. Your sample looks great – all the practise definitely paid off.
Thanks Tanya. It definitely needed lots of practice to perfect but once mastered it crochets up so quickly so it’s good to give it a go 🙂
I’ve been very curious about this stitch. Have been wanting to try it for awhile now but haven’t taken the plunge. I will though!
Go for it Yolanda! It crochets up really quick so it could be used for lots of fast projects 🙂
Never done this before. I MIL talked about it a while ago, looks interesting
It was a first for me too- it did take a while to get used to but as it crochets up so fast, I can see myself using it again in the future 🙂
Your final square looks fantastic and so neat! I did start a cardigan in broomstick crochet years ago but I never finished it! I think I still have the pattern somewhere. I can’t even remember if I enjoyed it or not but I guess not as I never finished it 🙂
How funny! It’s definitely not an easy technique and due to the enormous knitting needle not the most portable crochet to take out and about either! That said it does crochet up pretty fast… 🙂
Never heard of it but it looks great!
Thanks so much Emma 🙂
Jennifer Hansen designed a broomstick lace jewelry frame, it would be a great project to try!
oooh yes, that sounds interesting! 🙂
I like the look of broomstick crochet, but it was my least favourite of the alternative methods of crochet we need to do for IDC. In fact, I have yet to do the broomstick samples for part 2 – I’m putting it off. I’m not even sure I can remember how to do it!
Your woolly sample looks good. I’m sure the neater finish is because it’s not done in cotton, which is quite an unforgiving yarn. As always with the work you show on your blog, I’m sure it’ll pass!
Hi there, thanks for that. Lets hope it passes- I wouldn’t want to do this sample again. By the way, how are you getting on with Part 2? 🙂
Ooh, well.. I’ve hit a brick wall mentally! The remaining samples I need to complete are mostly ones I’m not interested in (e.g. cross stitch on Tunisian crochet) and there’s so-o-o much I want to experiment with beyond the course – very distracting!
I can imagine! There’s never enough time! 🙂
Awesome! I’ve never fancied trying it as it looks too tricky but I do admire broomstick crochet from a distance!
It’s quite a simple technique really , it’s just the holding of the ‘broomstick’ or 20mm knitting needle that I found really tricky!
Very nice sample–even and intriguing. I’ve not done broomstick lace before but I believe my grandmother did something like this as there was a very large knitting needle among her things. She would give anything a try at least once!
Thank you so much. Yes, it’s good to be like your grandmother and be up for giving new things a try 🙂
Beautiful. much prettier than the name suggests. Mind, I love the name 🙂
It’s a funny name isn’t it! 🙂
The broomstick crochet looks fab. I’ve not tried it yet, it’s on my to do list along with Tunisian crochet… So much to learn but so little time!!! Love you pebble background to your photos too 🙂
Thanks so much – there’s never enough time! 🙂
Oh I can empathize with that! 🙂
Hi Eleonora. Those samples look great and the last one especially seems very even and straight-sided. Your work is beautifully done and looks stunning on the pebble beach. If I lived where you do all my time would be spent crocheting covers for pebbles! Since Christmas I’ve not done one but I’m hoping there might be more in-the-round techniques in Part 11 …. if I ever pass Part 1 that is! I’ve been bogged down a bit with my Tunisian samples and trying to achieve neat side edges – the stitches themselves are fine but getting an even tension is more challenging. Happy days!
Jenny 🌸
Hi Jenny, thanks so much. Crocheting covers for pebbles sounds great! I’ve not tried that before. Hope your Tunisian samples are going ok. I’ve just got my result back for the Tunisian crochet shawl I did as one of the projects- thankfully it passed with a ‘very good’ as I wouldn’t have wanted to do that again! 🙂