Broomstick,Lace Crash Course
- a sampler washcloth - design by Adrienne Via
Written as an introduction to broomstick lace, this pattern includes the popular “Peacock's Eye” stitch as well as three other broomstick lace stitches. Yarn: LILY Sugar én' Cream $\,2\,0z/56\,\mathrm{g}$ skeins, each approx 95 yds; $100\%$ Cotton; 1 skein Yarn Substitution: Any worsted weight yarn Hook: Size H/8 ( $5\:\mathrm{mm})$ Needle: Size 19 $\left(15\;\mathrm{mm}\right)$ Notions: Yarn needle Gauge: N/A Difficulty: Advanced Beginner Abbreviations rep -repeat st - stitch yo - yarn over
Basic Broomstick Lace Stitch
Each set of broomstick lace rows has two rows. The first row consists of drawing up loops through the previous row's stitches and placing them on the “broomstick". This pattern uses a Size 19 knitting needle for this purpose. The needle keeps all of the loops the same size. The second row consists of working regular crochet stitches through the loops, either in groups or one at a time. The most popular broomstick lace stitch is called "Peacock's Eye" (shown in the top and bottom rows of this patern) because it resembles the eyes on a peacock's tail feathers. Be sure to count the number of loops on the needle before working the second row of the pattern, as it is quite easy to make a mistake on this step and drop stitches.
Peacock's Eye
Row A: Take the loop remaining on your hook from the previous row, enlarge it and place it on the needle. (You do not turn the work after the previous row, simply pull up loops working from left to right.) Skip the first st, insert your hook into the second st, yo, pull up a loop and place it on the needle. Repeat for the rest of the row. You should have as many loops on the needle as you had stitches in the previous row.
Row B: Insert your hook through the first four lops, yo, pullup a loop, ch 3 (this is the first dc here and throughout). Work 3 more dc into the group. Rep across the row, working 4 dcs into each group of 4 loops. Ch 21. Row1 Sc in second ch from hook and in each chain across, turn. (20 sts) Rows 2 and 3 Work Peacock's Eye pattern. (5 groups of 4 loops each, 20 dcs) Row 4 Work Row A, above. (20 loops) Row 5 Remove the first four loops from the needle. Return the first two loops to the needle (numbered from the right, loops 1 and 2) so that loops 3 and 4 are in front. Work 2 dc into loops 3 and 4, then 2 dc into loops 1 and 2. Rep across row, working 2 dcs into loops 7 and 8, then 2 dcs into loops 5 and 6, etc. (20 sts)
Row 6 Work Row A, above. (20 loops) Row 7 Remove the first four loops from the needle and work one dc into the group. Drop loop 1, pick up loop 5 and work one dc into the group. Rep across row, working one dc into loops 3 to 6, then 4 to 7, etc. until you work one dc into loops 17 to 20. Then work one dc into loops 18 to 20, loops 19 and 20 only, and finally loop 20 only. (20 sts)
Row 8 Work Row A, above. (20 loops) Row 9 Remove the first four loops from the needle and place them on your hook. Pull loops 3 and 4 through loops 1 and 2, placing loops 1 and 2 back on the needle. Work one dc each into loop 3, then loop 4, followed by loop 1 then loop 2. Rep across row, working one dc each into loops 7,8,5,6; 11, 12, 9, 10, etc. (20 st
Rows 10 and 11 Work Peacock's Eye pattern. (5 groups of 4 loops each, 20 dcs) Make a border by working scs evenly around the piece. Fasten off and weave in ends.
