How to Make a Whisk Broom

Soak the broomcorn in a bucket of lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Soaking softens the stalks and bristles of the corn so they are easier to work with.

Trim six stalks of broom corn 1 inch above the knuckle, which is the joint where the stalk connects to the broom part of the broomcorn. Use a sharp knife to make a clean cut through the stalk.

Tie a length of nylon cord around the dowel, placing the cord 2 inches from the bottom of the dowel. Leave an equal length of cord hanging from each side of the knot.

Lay the first piece of broomcorn against the dowel, with the concave side of the stalk facing the dowel. Position the stalk so the string is right below the knuckle.

Place the remaining five stalks in place so they completely surround the dowel. Wrap the nylon cord tightly around the stalks and tie it in a knot to secure the broomcorn.

Trim the tops of the stalks where they protrude above the cord. Cut them at an angle toward the top of the dowel handle using the sharp knife.

Cut the stalks of eight lengths of broomcorn so they are 4 inches long above the knuckle. Place these around the dowel, on top of the initial broomcorn, placing the knuckles just on top of the stalks beneath.

Wrap the nylon cord around the stalks eight to 10 times, winding it tightly just above the knuckles. Fold the stalks in half, down toward the broom bristles. Wrap the cord around the ends of the folded stalks an additional eight times before tying off the cord.

Place a board on top of the bristles to hold them flat. Cut the bristles off in a straight line, 8 inches beneath the nylon cord.