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Please note that this text is written in "chat format," although I've edited some of it out. Therefore, there are several conversational, rather than instructional, elements.
> dolores: What is a broomstick needle?
> A broomstick needle is a really large knitting needle....size 35 or 50
> I believe in last week's class used a ruler
> to get the loops about the right size
> Broomstick lace is a really awkward kind of stitch and takes a LOT of practice
>dolores: A regular 12" ruler?
> Yes, you just have to make sure that there aren't any sharp edges
> that would catch the yarn
> dolores: What do you use this stitch for?
> Broomstick lace would make a really pretty afghan or shawl
> I haven't seen many patterns for it
>dolores: I have yarn and a ruler, anything else?
> You'll need a hook that you're comfortable with using with the yarn
> I'm using an H hook and Red Heart Super Saver
> Okay, here we go. :-)
> Now, remember, we're just learning the technique itself. I think I'll run
and
> get a ruler as well
> so that I can try it the same way you are
> Ch 26
> Skip the first chain
> and single crochet in each chain across for a total of 25 sc
> We're just doing a small swatch to learn the technique. But, you can
> continue and it would be a square
> angie: Are jiffy lace and broomstick lace the same thing?
> Yes, Jiffy and Broomstick are the same thing
> When you get finished with 25 sc, do not turn. Do not ch 1 and let
> me know when you're ready to continue
> You have to keep it loose or you won't be able to pull the loops off
the ruler
> I believe that it's easiest to stabilize the ruler by holding it between your
legs
> Looks funny, but that's the most effective way I can think of
> Now, you will loosen the loop that's on your hook until it fits easily
> over the top of the ruler
> Place it on the ruler and say K when ready
> That is your first loop/stitch
> If you're right-handed, the ruler is in front of you, the sc strip is to the
right
> of it with RIGHT side facing you
> If we're on track with that, say K
> You will always skip the first sc because the loop on your hook counts for it
> Insert your hook into the next sc in the BACK loop, YO and pull a loop through
> Loosen it up and pull it all the way on top of the ruler
> Say K when ready
> BACK loop equals the loop furthest way from you
> Remember to keep it loose
> Now, continue pulling up loops up and onto the ruler all the way across
> You will have 25 loops
> When finished, count your loops and say K when ready
> Okay, my single crochet are at the short end of the ruler with big loops
> going across
> The name of the game is to pull the loops off in groups of 5
> So, we insert our hook under 5 loops
> So, I insert my hook from right to left under 5 loops
> Yarn over and pull a loop through.
> If your ruler loops are loose enough, you don't even have to remove them
> to complete the stitches
> Now, chain 1
> Work 5 sc into the grouping by first inserting your hook into the middle of
> the grouping
> Yarn over and pull a loop through
> 2 loops on hook
> Yarn over and pull through 2 loops
> That's your first single crochet
> Work the other 4 sc the same way
> Right into the middle of the 5-loop grouping
> You'll end up with a ring and five single crochet sitting on top of it
> Remove the ring from the ruler if you haven't done so already
> One loop remains on your hook
> If it works better for you, there's nothing wrong with take the 5-loop grouping
> off the ruler, then working the 5 single crochets into it
> Now, that's the instruction for the first grouping
> For each remaining grouping, there is not ch-1 at the beginning and they are
> worked as follows
> Insert your hook from right to left (coming from the back of the ruler) into
> 5 loops
> Remove them from the ruler if necessary
> They remain loosely draped on your hook
> Yarn over and pull up a loop
> 2 small loops on hook
> Yarn over and pull through the two loops
> That counts as your first single crochet for the grouping
> Now, work 4 sc into the 5-loop grouping so that you have a total of
> 5 sc in the grouping
> Continue working off the 5-loop groupings in the same manner until you get
> to the end
> Now, you are at the end, you loosen the loop on your hook until
> it's large enough for the ruler
> Place it on the ruler and start again with pulling up loops
> And, that's all she wrote. :-)
