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| Sample knit with Debbie Bliss Amalfi on US Size 7 needles |
Knitted Broomstick Lace, no crochet hook required!
I first saw broomstick lace a few years ago, and gave it a try, but didn't like fussing with the crochet hook. The whole process was just too fiddly for me. Imagine my surprise to learn that you can knit broomstick lace. I saw this process in the Summer 2012 issue of Love of Knitting. Along with instructions for the broomstick lace, there are a few patterns in the magazine.
The process is fairly simple.
Work with a multiple of 5
For the first row K1, YO(2) across the row. That is, knit the first stitch, make a double yarn over, and repeat to the end of the row.
Next, you will be slipping the knit stitches and dropping the yarn overs. Slip a total of five stitches to the right needle. These stitches will be long/loose.
Then, place the five stitches back on the left needle. You will now K1, YO, K1, YO, K1 into this group of five stitches, and drop from left needle. Repeat this to the end of the row.
Love of Knitting did not specify how many rows of plain knitting to do in between the above steps. I suppose it does not really matter, however, if you look at one side of your work you will see a strand running across the fabric. You can see the strand in the picture of my sample from the front; it is more noticeable on the back. If you work an even number of rows between the lace stitches, your strand will always be on the same side of the work. You could set it up so that the strand shows alternately on the 'front' and 'back' of the work. For me, I actually like the look of the strand running across the fabric, so consider this a reversible fabric. Try a sample and see what you think.
Here is a video of the process. I misspoke and said I had 25 stitches on my needles, I only worked with 20. Happy Knitting!
Work with a multiple of 5
For the first row K1, YO(2) across the row. That is, knit the first stitch, make a double yarn over, and repeat to the end of the row.
Next, you will be slipping the knit stitches and dropping the yarn overs. Slip a total of five stitches to the right needle. These stitches will be long/loose.
Then, place the five stitches back on the left needle. You will now K1, YO, K1, YO, K1 into this group of five stitches, and drop from left needle. Repeat this to the end of the row.
Love of Knitting did not specify how many rows of plain knitting to do in between the above steps. I suppose it does not really matter, however, if you look at one side of your work you will see a strand running across the fabric. You can see the strand in the picture of my sample from the front; it is more noticeable on the back. If you work an even number of rows between the lace stitches, your strand will always be on the same side of the work. You could set it up so that the strand shows alternately on the 'front' and 'back' of the work. For me, I actually like the look of the strand running across the fabric, so consider this a reversible fabric. Try a sample and see what you think.
Here is a video of the process. I misspoke and said I had 25 stitches on my needles, I only worked with 20. Happy Knitting!
