Tangerine Dream: Broomstick Lace Shawl

Tangerine Dream: Broomstick Lace Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Tangerine Dream is a broomstick lace shawl designed by Carolyn Calderon. This crocheted shawl measures 74 inches wide by 35 inches tall (excluding fringe) and is available in one size. It is a versatile accessory piece that combines a historic crochet technique with contemporary construction methods.

Broomstick Lace Technique

Broomstick lace is a traditional crochet stitch technique with historic roots dating back to the 19th century. Also known as Jiffy Lace or Peacock Eye Crochet, this method creates an open, lacey fabric by combining crochet hooks with a long, slender tool. Traditionally, crafters used an actual broomstick to create the characteristic loops, though modern practitioners typically use a lightweight plastic knitting needle or smooth wooden craft dowel instead. The size of the tool used directly affects the final appearance: a larger knitting needle or dowel produces a more open, lacier effect, while a smaller size creates a more densely woven fabric with tighter loops.

Stitches and Construction Methods

This pattern uses broomstick lace clusters as its primary stitch structure. The technique involves picking up loops and working them in groups—typically in clusters of 5 stitches. The pattern includes helpful guidance for managing loop counts: crafters should count loops once picked up, organizing them in groups of 5 stitches. If the loop count falls short by one or two, the pattern instructs working through 4 loops instead of 5 prior to the final broomstick lace cluster. Each row should always end with 5 loops to maintain consistent edge definition on the final cluster.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Tangerine Dream shawl is worked in DK weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category suitable for creating the delicate, open lacework characteristic of broomstick lace. Beyond the yarn and crochet hook, this pattern requires an additional tool: either a knitting needle or smooth wooden craft dowel in the desired size to create the broomstick lace loops.

Skill Level and Gauge

This pattern is rated at intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for crocheters with some experience beyond basic stitches. The gauge for this shawl is 1.25 inches wide, providing a reference point for yarn and hook selection to achieve the intended finished measurements.