Stitch This ~ Sip This, No. 9

This Friday’s ‘Wine’ down is brought to you by broomstick lace and Barbera. Paired together because ... like Barbera, a varietal that is known for full body and low tannis ~ broomstick lace is a full bodied crochet technique that is 'relatively' low in difficulty.

All you need is a large crochet hook (or something similar - maybe a broomstick... it IS why the technique is called what it is called!) a smaller crochet hook and yarn. I’ve also seen broomstick lace called peacock eye stitch – because when you look at it, that is kinda, sorta what it resembles.

Okay, maybe that's a stretch, but I have totally heard it referred to as the peacock eye. #truestory

Anyhow, here is what, in written words, broomstick lace is to me: a set of loops which are twisted together by a stitch (single, half double or double crochet, etc) forming what some have called the peacock eye or a little eyelet. Take a look at the video below ..... [after I got out of my own head about what a YouTube tutorial video should be like ('ya Hollywood quality, Oscar nomination worthy videos, type.... yeah,] but this is filmed by me and my every willing and helpful husband, just to show a little of what I have learned in order to help at least one person, so here it is... my first video and it happens to be about broomstick lace! Hooray!

For more lacier fabric, the broomstick lacing is done on each row. To break up the texture and add additional elements, work a row of single (double, half, etc) in between the broomstick lace rows. Once you have gotten the basics of this stitch down; the variations can be endless and quite fun to work. I have been working on a braided technique which I think is quite cool looking and produces a great looking texture.

Speaking of great, I love a great Barbera! (haha, awesome segway, I know.) Well, we find ourselves in Italy, again, for this week's wine highlight. Barbera grapes are from Northwest Italy (same area as the ever delightful Nebbiolo and Barolo grapes). Barberas are rich and structured ~ generally dark in color and light in taste.

They have a great berry flavor when young and consequently Barberas ar