Broomstick row
How do I start making broomstick loops?
Easy to learn but packed with creative potential, broomstick crochet is a great way to create light, open fabrics with fantastic drape. The technique was traditionally worked using a crochet hook and a broomstick handle (hence the name), but you can use all sorts of sticks (see below). We’ll show you just what to do and then you can use your new skills to hook our colourful bowl.
Step 1 Once you have a foundation chain or row(s) of stitches, you can begin your first ‘broomstick row’, which involves placing long loops onto your broomstick. At the start of a broomstick row, don’t turn your work. Instead, use the hook to elongate the active loop.
Step 2 Insert the broomstick into this large loop. You’ll find it easier if you keep a fairly loose tension at this stage. Remove the hook from the loop and restore your tension on the yarn to make sure the loop sits fairly snugly on the broomstick. Try to make sure the loop isn’t too tight, but also not too loose.
Step 3 Insert your crochet hook into the top of the next stitch (or into the next chain if you’ve started with a foundation chain instead). Work yrh. At this stage, you might find that the broomstick gets in the way, so feel free to tilt the fabric in order to see what you’re doing.
Step 4 Pull up a loop as usual at the front of the fabric. The most comfortable way to hold your broomstick is to stabilise it with your non-hook hand, while also holding the fabric you’ve made.
Step 5 Use the hook to lengthen this new loop and guide it onto your broomstick. Be careful not to twist the loop. Keep your tension loose at this stage. If you’re using a large knitting needle, make sure you use the hook to take the loop right up to the straight section of the needle.
Step 6 Remove the hook from the loop and restore your tension to make sure the loop sits fairly snugly on the broomstick. Remember to keep your loop tension consistently quite snug – not too tight and not too loose.
Step 7 Repeat Steps 3- 6 to pull up a loop in all the stitches (or chains) from the row below. At the end of a broomstick row, your work should look something like this. If you had 10 stitches in your foundation row (or chain) then you should now have 10 loops on the broomstick.