 Leticia Troischesnes
Some years back I approached a woodworker in An Tir asking if he could make a wooden horn like one I purchased at a Black Powder demo but with my own modifications. He was dubious but agreed to make me twelve. Lynn the Weaver is now quite famous throughout the Known World for his fine wood craft!
This method of making lucet cord does not turn the lucet making it more ergonomic and less stressful on your wrist. While there is some controversy as to whether lucet cord falls within the SCA time period (definitely documentable in Edwardian times), it has been widely accepted as an alternative to finger loop braid.
I use luceted cord on my banners, as trim and jewelry. If these directions confuse you, please feel free to contact me or look for me at events. I’m always happy to teach. Dame Leticia Troischesnes, OL Barony of Sun Dragon A&S Minister
5 easy steps to creating your own trim and cording!
  2. Lift A over B, holding tail of thread firmly against the lucet. (Figure 2) 3. Pull slightly to tighten the knot against right hand horn. 4. Place working thread over the left-hand horn. Lift the lower loop over the working thread as in step 3. 5. Keep repeating until you reach the desired length of cording.
Adding Beads or Fancy Thread
Figure 3  Working threaded beads
¶ Make 2 knots. ¶ Bring one bead forward and make a stitch on the right horn, keeping the bead forward. The bead should slide freely. ¶ Make a stitch on the left horn. ¶ The bead will now be locked on to the right side of the cord. (Figure 3)
Gimp added beads
¶
¶ Make 2 knots. ¶ Place the main gimp thread behind the braid. (Figure 4) ¶ Bring one bead forward. ¶ Make a complete knot. ¶ Pass the gimp to the back, without a bead, and make one complete stitch. ¶ Repeat steps 3 through 6. (Figure 4)
Gimp Add a contrasting color of thread, perhaps metallic, as for beaded gimp above. You work the pattern of bringing the gimp forward and backward to get a woven effect from the gimp. Fine ribbon works especially well here.
2-Color braid Using 2 colors of thread in this fashion will give you an evenly patterned chevron design. High contrast colors are recommended. ¶ Thread the lucet with 2 colors of thread. ¶ Using the 2 threads as one, make a complete knot, one stitch on each horn. Try to refrain from a tight tension. ¶ Whatever color is on the bottom when you are ready to make the next stitch on the right horn, use that color of working thread and make a stitch. The non-working color thread should be behind and out of the way of this knot. You will be lifting the working color over the non-working color loop. ¶ Repeat on the left horn. ¶ You should be ready to start on the right horn again, this time with the other color. ¶ Keep repeating until you reach the desired length of cording.
Tying off the Cord ¶ With the lucet ready to start a new stitch on the right horn, cut the working thread, leaving a 4” – 6” tail. ¶ Thread the tail from top to bottom through the right hand loop. ¶ Slip the loop off the horn and gently pull the thread until the loop closes ¶ Repeat for the left horn.
Helpful hints ¶ If you are not sure which horn gets the next stitch, the loop that is slightly higher, was the last loop. The next stitch is on the other horn. Before you set down your work, wrap the working thread around the horn that you will be making the next stitch. ¶ Lucet braid eats up lots of thread! 16 yards of #3 DMC Pearl Cotton produced 60 inches of cord. Additional thread can be added if you run out, but you may end up with a small, but visible knot. Plan your projects accordingly.
Definitions ¶ Gimp: a non-working thread used to hold beads or to add color ¶ Knot: two completed loops (stitches) over both horns ¶ Stitch: made by wrapping the thread around a horn of a lucet and lifting the old loop off and over the horn. 2 stitches = 1 knot ¶ Tension: an evenness achieved with much practice and dedication to perfection! ¶ Working thread: the “ball” end of the string |
