Since today is the New Moon and the first one since my dedication ceremony, so I wanted it to be a really special day. I asked for that this morning during my prayers and guess what! I had a very special day so far! First, I ended up having the day off because I will be working a 16 hour shift Friday night to Saturday morning. Then, when I went to make the 2 tools I suddenly had undefined free time for my animals and husband got involved!
So here's how you do it... I started the day with cleansing, charging and shielding. Then off to WalMart to find the hemp cord. Lucky me, they had exactly what I wanted and cheap ($5 for a 133 yards)! I already had broom straw from a pagan festival I went to about a month ago. I paid $10 for a nice bundle of it. I just needed a stick. I had been searching for a stick for days because I wanted it to have a bend in it and be as natural as possible. I didn't want to use a dowel, but you could. The dog and I went looking for one the other day and had no luck on a 3 mile walk, lol.
When I got back from store, I decided to walk around the yard and have a look. The dog and the outside cat joined me. After walking the acre, we ended up in the big stick pile we keep in the very back corner awaiting chipping or decomposing, whichever comes first. As I stood looking at the pile, I eventually found my stick, lol. It was about an inch and a half in diameter and had a perfect little crook. My husband kindly made the cuts to the end of the Ash branch (what luck!) where I asked and I set about to work.
So to paraphrase, your supplies are:
- 4' stick or dowel, about an inch and a half in diameter
- Broom straw
- Hemp cord
- scissors
- extra set of hands is very nice
I began by cutting a three foot strip of hemp (start it from the center or you'll be sorry) and tied it to the stick, at the bottom. I then took a bundle of broom straw and placed the ends to the end of the broom stick, with the top of the straw facing up. Yes, that is counter-intuitive, but it really works!
I then wrapped the hemp cord around this one bunch (1/4 - 1/2 inch bundle) three times. As I made this broom I was very gracious minded and thankful for the supplies and the experience. I know that sounds kinda silly, but I want this besom to work very well so I wanted the entire process to involve Goddess.
I continued to add one bunch at a time, with the ends to the end and the tops to the handle, and wrapped the hemp three times. When I was nearing the end of the string, I simply left 3-4 inches on the end and tied it to the beginning string. I added a new 3' section of string and carried on adding straw and wrapping.
Once the first layer was wrapped evenly around the broom, I tied it off and got my husband to hold the bundle around the broom handle for me while I tied and wrapped a 3-4 foot piece around the entire broom, wrapping it until it was time to tie it off. Then I sat down and added a second layer of the broom straw around the entire broom, again one at a time, wrapping three times, and doing all with good intent.
Once the second layer was finished, I again had the husband hold it tight while I tied it and wrapped it again.
I then moved to the top of where the straw was no longer solid pieces and tied a second line of wrap to ensure stability. You need to be sure you have two tied off areas. One towards the bottom of the stick and one where you want the straw to bend over at. I wrapped it until I liked how it looked, being generous with the hemp.
Then, cut a 3 foot piece of hemp and tie it to the broom straw around the hemp that is already there. This should be at the top, where the straw will bend and you should tie it so that one side is short and one is nearly three feet long again.
Now begin bending the straw so the top of the straw is now at the bottom. Only take a quarter to a half inch of the straw at a time. Do this lovingly to avoid breaking the straw You will break some, but you want to be careful not to break many! Once it is bent over, again wrap the cord three times, with good intent. Continue this pattern, going around the broom, carefully. You have the cord wrapping technique down by now, so just keep going around the broom until all is finished.
Tie it off tight. Now, go down the broom a bit and wrap a new row of string. I did it until I liked how tight the top of the broom felt. I then went back to the top and wrapped over the ugly string until it was pretty, keeping it tight and ending it tight.
This is how it turned out... I'm quite happy with it! Knowing me it will adapt over time, but this is a very satisfying beginning. I wish I had done a step by step pics, sorry about that. I'll do that next time for sure! Now to finish my happy day!
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