Threads 79: Make your own witches broomstick for this Halloween

The witch’s broomstick conjures up a picture of a witch, with a pointed hat, flying through the clouds.

Broomsticks have been associated with women since the beginning of time. They were originally called besons (def: a broom, one made of a bundle of twigs tied to a handle) and more lately called broomsticks. This is because the shrub broom was used to make them.

There have been hallucinogenic properties connected to women and broomsticks, and in the United States, witchcraft and witch hunts were well known.

In modern times, witches and broomsticks have become a symbol of Halloween. Some folks may remember the Harry Potter series and the broomsticks flying around.

Step 1: Gather materials including stick, branches, clippers, twine, hammer and nail

TO MAKE A BROOMSTICK 

You will need to search the hedges for a collection of twiggy branches, and a sturdy stick for the handle. You will also need some strong twine, a hammer, and a finishing nail.

Step one: Sort out the branches into small, medium, and long piles.

Step two: Hammer the finishing nail into the stick about half of the way up. Attach a piece of string to the nail.

Step 2: Finishing nail on the stick.

Step three:   Starting with the shortest branches, wrap each individually, and then wrap tightly around the stick. Leave a distance and wrap the middle-sized branches in a similar way. Repeat with the longest branches, keeping the lower edge even. Now attach the string to the string on the nail and wrap it tightly, round and round. I use a continuous string from the lower group and occasionally do a half hitch around the broomstick. The idea is to prevent each group from slipping down.

Step 3: Wrapping branches around stick.

Step four: Using the clippers, trim off any displaced twigs and straighten up the lower edge.

Now, take your broomstick and fly over the hedges!

Happy Halloween to all!

Steps 3&4: Finish wrapping branches around the stick and trim the bottom.