Tuesday, August 30, 2011

My Lucet Cords

So, you say, what's a lucet?
Well, a lucet is a tool that is used to make cords.
I have found that this tool will make cords very quickly and easily.
However, the one drawback I find is that I haven't been able to make a cord that I think is beautiful.
This is a lucet.

Think fast!  What does it remind you of?
Of course,
a fork.
Historically,
the first lucets were forks with the middle tines removed or bent down so they were out of the way.
Lucets were used to make cords for ladies undergarments!
They really are a secure cord.
Now, they are used for drawstrings and cords on which to string beads.
This is the start of a cord.
You can use any type of yard you wish.
Here I've started a cord using pearl cotton.
It will be a thin cord.  
My next challenge with the lucet will be to learn how to add beads to my cords.  It can be done.
If you want to learn how to use a lucet, just go to UTube,
and search for Lucet.
Be very careful with the term lucet.  DO NOT add an "e" at the end or you might be shocked at the videos that come up.
Yikes!
I found it much safer to search for lucet cord.  The word cord does help in finding the right videos.
Anyway,
back on topic.
I have been using different cords and yarns to make lucet cords in the hope of making one that I really liked.
I've had no luck with that. 
I used bulky yarns and thin pearl cotton.
I've used yarn from upcycled saaris.
I've used nylon and cotton yarns.
I've even used yarns that have sequins in it.
No luck.
Nothing appealed to me, 
until...
Last night, before I went to bed, I put all of my lucet cords together to get them ready to store.
When I woke up this morning, 
and I know it was dark,
a light bulb went off in my brain, as well as, in the bedroom.
This was the result, and I like it!
I even wore it today.
The cords looked terrible apart, but as one piece, they looked great!
I had fun wearing my lucet necklace!
So,
what do you think?
Oh, and if you have any suggestions for yarns to try,
I would appreciate the information!

4 comments:

Barbara said...

This is FASCINATING! This is exactly the tool I've been looking for! I tried a bit of fingerweaving awhile back and just bought a kumihimo wheel to try when I get a chance! I may try to make one of of an old fork and see what happens...

Jane Perala said...

I love the necklace - it looks so fun, funky and colourful!
I'm definately going to be looking for a lucet(no "e") so I can use up all my scraps of yarn, ribbons etc. Thanks for the post.

Sharon Driscoll said...

Nice Mallory - It has a very fun and funky look to it....perfect!

Maggie said...

Mallory, It looks great! You'll have to ask Sueze what kind of fiber she uses. The lucet looks like a slingshot to me!