10 easy lucet projects - from #LRCrafts - DIY Passion: if you can think it, you can make it by Rici86.
I am diving more and more into lucetting. If you’ve been following me recently, you maybe came across my journey to discover the history of the lucet tool. I loved diving into the debate about its use and shape in Medieval times or among the Vikings. Also, I began using my lucet more and more often.
I made cords for reenactment use, because, why not? Being the tool historically accurate or not, it’s now a common reenactment practice, a reenactorism as many call it.
But this tool for cordmaking, ancient as it might be, is not only useful for reenatcment. I discovered its utility also in modern projects. Yes, many could argue that what you can realize with a lucet you can probably make with a crochet. Sure, or in a dozen other ways, I suppose.
I like using the lucet, though. I can crochet, but I am not as comfortable a with my lucet. Lucetting for me is relaxing, the kind of activity you can make while paying attention to something else (speaking with someone, watching a tutorial on Youtube, thinking about other crafts…).
Here I’d like to show you ten easy (and modern!) projects you can make with a lucet.
About the history of the lucet
The debate is long, controversial and hasn’t a conclusion… yet. I tried to collect evidences to unravel the mysterious origins of the lucet, so here you find my thoughts about the matter, with a list of archaeological finds, their timeline and map, a list of museums with their artifacts. My archaeological researches are not over, so come back for future updates.
About the history of the lucet
0. the basics: any kind of lace!
Yes, the lucet is primarily used for cordmaking, so if you need a lace, that’s the tool to go to. Shoelaces, hair laces, eyeglasses laces, camera or cell phone straps… you name it!
My first lucet project was a cord to close the purse I was sewing. I also lucetted the lace used to carry or hang that purse.
You should keep in mind the main property of a lucet cord: it’s elastic and resistant. Make your lace with the lucet only if you want elasticity.
Do you want to start with lucetting?
Learning how to lucet is super easy and quick. I suppose that’s the main reason because this tool became popular in historical reenactment. If you want to give it a try, have a look at our basic tutorial.
How to lucet Lucet and lucetting
1. The easiest one: a bracelet
When I was a school girl, Scooby Doo bracelets used to be a thing. A lucetted bracelet is something with the same basic principle.
During events in historical costume, I sometimes make bracelets for kids: they are simple lucet cords in various colors. When the cord is finished, you could add charms and make a sliding knot to close. Just check that the cord is as long as to wrap around your wrist comfortably without being too tight, plus an extra few centimetres to allow for the knot.
You can go way beyond the basics, though. Adding sailor’s knots or Celtic knots make a great impression, and fashion buttons can be lovely closures.
Feeling crafty? Why not trying the Stitch Diva lucet cord with a decorative gimp? Great for a stylish bracelet, mainly if you add a jewel button.
Lucet and lucetting
2. Strap to carry a blanket or yoga mat
I’ve seen this around, but made with the macramé technique. So I said to me: why not try and lucet one?
Well, I could have made a long lucet cord and sew the two ends to make loops, but I wanted to make a project that was entirely lucetted. I set myself at work and came out with a way to start and finish your lucet cord with loops, as big as you want. Just lucetting, no crochet needle involved, no sewing with added thread.
I’ll make a proper tutorial on how to make loops with your lucet, because it can be so handy! I used the technique in other projects, just have a look below.
Lucet and lucetting
3. Coasters
I recently reorganised my home workstation and, among other things, I needed a coaster, because I always have a mug while working.
Well, my first thought was making one. While making my blanket strap, I noticed how clear it was that the lucet made square cords. With thin yarn is not so evident. So I tried to make a spiral out of a lucetted cord and… perfect! The square shape of the cord makes the coaster thick and flat.
To make a coaster, you just have to lucet a long enough braid, then coil it in a spiral and finally use needle and thread to make it stay in place. I used a red sewing thread matching the yarn color.
The ends of my cords were thinner than the rest of the lucetted braid, and this is super useful to make the spiral even. Looking at the finished coaster, it’s hard to tell where exactly the spiral ends, if you don’t look too closely.
The square cord also helps you to coil the spiral. You can hide the sewing thread among the coils with ease. And as most lucetted projects, this is super quick to make!
4. Featured project: a pot holder by Nicole Burgoz
This is an idea by Nicole Burgoz of Crafts by NicB. I found it lovely!
It seems that a lucet is just a tool to make cords, that is not as powerful as a crochet hook, but you never can tell how many different things you can make.
This basket follows a technique similar to the one I used for the coaster: the braided cord is sewed into place. It seems super strong, being able to hold the pot. It also has a convenient ring to hang it, lucetted as part of the cord, of course.
5. Doorstop
Lucet laces can be helpful companions in your everyday home life.
A special lace I made is now used to keep a window open during windy days. I attached it to the wall on one end, the other end has a ring (lucetted, of course! No sewing involved here) to secure to the window handle. Et voilà, I replaced a dark shoelace with a more elegant silver lace that matches the color of the wall tiles.
It’s elastic enough to be easy to attach and remove. The elasticity of a lucetted braid in this case was paramount.
6. Curtain ties
Here’s another home-use of a lucetted cord. I don’t have curtains at home, but my aunts, parents and parents-in-law have. So I thought I could make a present for their homes making curtain ties.
They’re as easy as a lucetted cord is: you just have to add a button on one end and make a ring on the other. Another option is to secure two magnets, one on each end of the lucetted braid. The magnets could be covered with fabric or a jewel button or anything you like.
You can make a curtain tie on a budget in no time, match the curtain or furniture colors, change them with the season.
7. Zip helper / decoration
A tip? You could add lucetted laces to zippers to open them easily. Useful on small pouches, for instance.
I found this helpful on a pair of shoes: they came with a super handy zipper, so they became my to-go shoes when I’m in a hurry. One day the zip helper came off, though. So, instead of beginning to use the shoelaces, I took my lucet out and made a quick helper.
DIY practices are the best to repair or adapt almost anything!
8. Fridge magnet
This was originally a crochet project I saw on a fridge, taken from the Italian website Ispirando. On the website, the magnet is made using a Tricotin or Knitting Nancy, but this is something you could make in any different ways.
Also with a lucet! Anything that involves a crochetted chain or comparable could be easily made on the lucet, that is a more friendly tool for me.
You could make a lucetted braid, knot it in the shape you want, add a small magnet on the back using hot glue and have a fridge magnet in no time. Martina from Ispirando made a Pretzel-shaped magnet, but you could make a flower, a letter, a bird outline… the only limit here is your imagination.
9. Original gift wrapping
Don’t you have a ribbon at hand for wrapping? Do you want something original for your presents?
You could close them with a lucetted braid! It can remain useful for the gift receiver, and it’s for sure an original way to wrap a special present.
I came up with the idea while watching a Bernadette Banner video on gift wrapping with fabric scraps. A lucetted cord would be a perfect complement to that!
10. Clothes decorations
Do you have knitwear that’s plain or needs a new fresh look? Consider making lucet braids to sew to necklines or cuffs.
You could also arrange your braids to draw a figure, using each cord to outline a shape. This way you have the option to add stand-out figures as if embroidered. An intricate design would suit well around a neckline, for instance.
Actually, a lucetted cord could have a place in an embroidered design. I suppose, loving embroidery, that I’ll soon explore this topic deeper. Follow my crafting adventures to see what I come up to.
What if I don’t have a lucet?
Well, you could make a lucet out of scrap wood, like we did. But if you don’t have one and you don’t have the tools, materials or skills to make one, don’t worry. You can find lucet-like tools in everyday items! You could use a fork with just two prongs, a camping fork, even a Swiffer duster. The only limit: your imagination.
How we made our first lucetThose listed here are just 10 out of infinite projects that you could make with the lucet.
Yes, you could make all of those also with other tools or techniques: this is just one option. Don’t you like having the possibility to choose?
Do you know of other cool crafts for which a lucet could come in handy? Let’s discuss in the comments section and happy lucetting!
