Broomstick lace is such a beautiful technique that is woefully underused.

Historically it was called Jiffy Lace because of how quick and easy it is to make.

If you’ve never tried it before, this shawl would be a great way to learn how to crochet Broomstick Lace. If you’re an old hand at this, well, you already know how much fun it is!

Size

This shawl starts at one corner and grows larger with every row. The pattern is written so you can stop at any time. Make your shawl as large or small as you desire.

Even though we don’t have a size, here is the general shape you’ll get from this pattern:

Yarn

This pattern is written so you can use virtually any yarn. However bulky, super bulky, and jumbo weight yarns are not suggested as they may not drape well. For different weights of yarn you will need different yarn amounts.

Fingering Minimum: 850 yds/ 777 m; Hedgehog Fibers Sock (90% Wool – Merino, 10% Nylon/ Polyamide) 437 yards (400 meters)/100 g; Pod, 2 skeins

Sport or DK Minimum: 700 yds/ 640 m; Noro Silk Garden Lite (45% Silk, 45% Mohair, 10% Wool) 136 yards [124 meters]/50 g: Jewel Rainbow, 6 balls

Worsted Minimum: 560 yds/512 m; Miss Babs Yowza (100% Superwash Merino Wool) 560 yards [512 meters]/ 226 grams): Friday Afternoon, 1 ball

Hooks

This pattern is written so you can use virtually any size hook as long as it pairs well with your yarn.

Here are some hook suggestions:

Fingering: C or D hook/ 2.75 or 3.25mm

Sport or DK: F hook/ 3.75mm

Worsted: G or H hook/ 4.25mm or 5.0mm

Notions

Scissors

Yarn Needle

You will also need a dowel or large knitting needle to hold your stitches as you make the Broomstick Lace. The size dowel or needle you will need will depend on the weight of yarn you are using and will ideally be at least 18”/ 45.7cm long to hold the large number of stitches present at the end of the shawl. Here are some knitting needle/dowel size suggestions:

Fingering: US 19/ 15mm knitting needle or 5/8” dowel

Sport or DK: US 35/ 19mm knitting needle or 3/4” dowel

Worsted: US 50/ 25mm knitting needle or 7/8” dowel

Gauge

Gauge is always important, but in this case it is not necessary to exactly match the gauge listed. Make sure that whatever fabric you make has enough drape to wear easily.

Fingering: 4 Broomstick Lace Repeats are 2 1/2”/ 6.5cm wide and 3 1/4”/ 8.5cm tall

Sport or DK: 4 Broomstick Lace Repeats are 3”/ 7.6cm wide and 3 1/2″/ 9cm tall

Worsted: 4 Broomstick Lace Repeats are 3 3/4”/ 9.5cm wide and 3 3/4″/ 9.5cm tall

Abbreviations

See our standard abbreviations.

Shawl Instructions

Row 1: Ch 5 sts, do not turn work.

Row 2: With crochet hook pull up last loop and place on dowel held in left hand. Insert crochet hook in each st of ch, pull yarn through and place on dowel, do not turn work – 5 loops on dowel.

Row 3: Insert hook in center of all 5 loops, holding these loops together as one, yarn over and pull off dowel, work 5 sc in first set of loops, ch 5, do not turn work. (Traditionally you are instructed to do a slst before working 5 sc in each set of loops. You may work rows 3 and 5 this way, but keep in mind that this will use more yarn. Instructions would read: Insert hook in center of all 5 loops, holding these loops together as one, yarn over and pull off dowel, slst, work 5 sc in first set of loops, ch 5, do not turn work).

Row 4: With crochet hook pull up last loop and place on dowel held in left hand. Insert crochet hook in each st of ch, pull yarn through and place on dowel, pull yarn through each sc of previous row and place on dowel. Do not turn work – 10 loops on dowel on first repeat.

Row 5: Work 5 sc in each set of 5 loops until no sts remain, ch 5, do not turn work.

Row 6: With crochet hook pull up last loop and place on dowel held in left hand. Insert crochet hook in each st of ch, pull yarn through and place on dowel, pull yarn through each sc of previous row and place on dowel. Do not turn work – 15 loops on dowel after first repeat.

Repeat rows 5 and 6 until shawl is the desired size.

Work 5 sc in each set of 5 loops until no sts remain. Break yarn, pull through the last stitch.

Finishing

Weave in ends and block.