Complete Beginners – Broomstick Lace

This Course will next run with Purlescence in November 2013

Broomstick crochet is a fascinating technique that can be added to existing crochet skills to create a beautiful textural fabric that is soft and has lovely drape as well as being very stable.

Also known as ‘jiffy lace’ in the 70’s and as the romantic sounding ‘Peacock Eye lace’ this technique developed in the early 19th Century, using a crochet hook and a large, smooth stick.  The easiest large smooth stick that was to hand for most people was the broomstick handle – hence the name!

Today you can use a multitude of sizes of ‘broomstick’  and yarns to get a wide variety of effects and the resulting fabric is lovely in blankets, scarves, hats, the cuffs of gloves, etc.

This half day workshop will give you a solid grounding in the basics of Broomstick Lace in a fun and informal environment.

We’ll be covering..

    • Getting started – what is this strange tool and what do I do with it?
    • The  Basic Stitch – including examples of groupings
    • Simple increases
    • Simple decreases
    • Casting off

We will be working on a beautiful broomstick lace belt during the session, which you will be able to take away to show off your new skills.

We will also look at some of the variety you can gain from this lovely technique.

You will need:

  1. to be comfortable in the basics of crochet – holding the hook & yarn, chain, Single Crochet, Double Crochet (American terminology)
  2. For ‘playing’ you need a 5mm hook and some light, smooth, DK weight scrap yarn (50 grams will be plenty)
  3. For your belt you need a crochet hook of type and size of your choosing and about 100g of a coloured yarn of your choice with a nice twist (so it doesn’t come apart too easily or split) of a weight to match your hook (we recommend a 4ply or DK weight) to make your belt.
  4. A pencil/pen and notepad
  5. You will be provided with your ‘broomstick’

If you have any questions or want any advice, please feel free to contact us.

The workshop is being taught by Honey-Lee,an experienced crocheter for over 30 years who believes there is more to crochet than coasters!  The Workshop is on Saturday 2nd November 2013 between 1.30pm and 4pm at Purlescence HQ in Wantage, Oxfordshire.  We’ll provide refreshments, including lunch and home made cakes, and all attendees will get 10% off any purchases from Purlescence on the day.

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