Learn to Crochet - Increasing in Broomstick Lace Video Tutorial

A video on the basics of Broomstick Lace and another on decreasing in Broomstick Lace have already been shown here at Hooked On Needles. So today I'll show you a little video on increasing in Broomstick Lace and you should be all set to try whipping something up using this fun stitch.

Here's the video...




I'm working on a Broomstick Lace project right now that I will share with you when it's finished. It's working up pretty quickly so it shouldn't be long!

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Decreasing in Broomstick Lace Video Tutorial

Broomstick Lace can be used to make a variety of items such as vests, scarves, blankets, sweaters, hats...patterns are available free on the internet or in books and pamphlets where you buy your yarn and needles.

Recently I offered a video tutorial on the basics of crocheting Broomstick Lace which you can find by clicking HERE. Today I have a short video showing how to decrease in Broomstick Lace. Take a look and see how easy it is...




Decreasing in Broomstick Lace might be necessary when making something that requires shaping such as a sweater or vest, or a shawl that would be made in a triangular shape.

Soon I'll be sharing a video on how to increase in Broomstick Lace too, so stay tuned for that.

Happy Stitching!

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Learn to Crochet - Broomstick Lace Video Tutorial

Here's an oldie, but a goody, for you crocheters out there...Broomstick Lace! This method of crochet got its name because back in the day a broomstick would have been used to hold the large loops on the loop row. These days there are so many different sizes of large knitting needles made of so many different materials that it really is not necessary to use something as large as an actual broomstick, unless of course you are making something extremely wide such as an afghan.

To work Broomstick Lace, you will need a large knitting needle such as the size 19 which I use in my video below, whatever yarn you want to use, and a crochet hook in a size to match the yarn you are using. You can use a smaller knitting needle or a bigger one, or a sanded wooden dowel or broomstick, or anything that gives you the size loops you want for your piece and won't snag your yarn.


In this sample piece, I have shown what Broomstick Lace looks like when it is worked with five loops, three loops, through both loops of the previous row stitches, through the back loop of the previous row stitches, and combined with other stitches such as double crochet.

Starting from the bottom of the picture, the first row is worked using half double crochet in groupings of five loops. The next row up was worked by pulling the large loops through both loops of the previous row half double crochet stitches resulting in no horizontal line between the two rows. The third row up was worked by pulling the large loops through only the back loops of the previous row half double crochet stitches resulting in the horizontal line between the two rows. The fourth row from the bottom was worked by stitching through five loops for the first and last sections and three loops for the sections in the middle resulting in the same overall stitch count, but having more sections on the row. After two rows like this, I added in two rows of double crochet, chain 1, then worked one last row of Broomstick Lace.

Broomstick Lace is always worked from the front, so you never turn your work. It is similar to Tunisian Crochet in this way. There are two parts to a row of Broomstick Lace, the loop row where you pick up a loop in each stitch and put it onto your knitting needle or broomstick, and then the crochet row where you work the same number of crochet stitches into a group of loops as the number of loops you pick up. You can work single, half double, double crochet or any type of crochet stitch on the crochet row, depending on the look you want to achieve. You can also pick up any number of loops for each section as long as you work the same number of stitches into each section as the number of loops you pick up.

If you've never tried Broomstick Lace, this all may seem very confusing, so here is a video demonstrating the basics of Broomstick Lace so you can see how easy it really is.


Broomstick Lace would be a nice stitch to use for a scarf, shawl or wrap. It would also make a thick and cozy lap blanket. Working Broomstick Lace in finer yarns will produce a lighter fabric with a lacier look, and using heavier yarns will produce a fabric that is quite thick and warm. Try experimenting with different yarns, different size loops and using different stitches on the crochet row to see what fun results you can get.

Happy Stitching!

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