Lucet and lucetting: make iCords with a knitting fork

"The Lucet Compendium: a historical exploration and practical guide", book by Sara Rossi and Daniel Craig Phelps about the history of the lucet with practical guidance for modern crafters.

The lucet is an ancient tool used to make cords and braids by hand. It produces I-Cords as you could make with spool knitting, crochet or knitting. The basic technique is super easy to learn and the instrument is also simple to make (or replace with comparable household items!).

How old is the lucet? That’s a complicated question, that Rici tries to unravel with her archaeological researches. Her long studies led to a book about the history of the lucet, “The Lucet Compendium“, to be published soon. Besides the still unresolved problem of its origins, this tool is still popular in historical reenactment and, in some cases, useful in everyday use.

Here you’ll find all the projects related to lucets and lucetting, from the making of the instrument itself to the projects you can craft with it, events, tutorials and more.

Table of contents

Project ideas

Well known for its use in historical reenactment, the lucet is versatile also for modern projects. You can use this tool to make any kind of craft involving I-cords.

For those who usually make I-cords with different tools, consider giving the lucet a try – it’s a handy alternative that might just become your new go-to for effortless I-cord crafting.

Explore a bunch of ideas, with tutorials to help you make them.

Making a German brick stitch embroidered purse: embroiderying the second color

The making of my first German brick stitch embroidered purse

Making a lucet from design to wood, for Medieval and modern projects

Discover a few easy, useful, fun projects you can make with the lucet. Not just an ancient tool reserved to historical reenactment!

10+ easy lucet projects

Lucet Christmas projects: classic festive wreath

Christmas decorations to make with the lucet

How to make a square knot bracelet with the lucet

Bracelets you can make with the lucet, easy tutorial

Tutorials

Making a lucet from design to wood, for Medieval and modern projects

Bracelets you can make with the lucet, easy tutorial

How to Lucet: step 4.4, turn clockwise and adjust stitches to the center

How to lucet: knit an I-cord easily

Whether you’re just starting with lucet braiding or delving into advanced techniques, on the lookout for lucet tool patterns, or eager to follow step-by-step instructions for your lucet projects, you’re in the right place.

Explore our articles tailored to different skill level and interest, offering insights and inspiration for your next craft.

History of the lucet

Rici began studying the question of the ancient origins of the lucet in 2022. Locutus made her a lucet after they discovered the tool during a reenactment in 2015, and working on this tool got her fascinated about the endless discussions among reenactors. Was the tool Viking or not? Are there any extant finds or written sources proving this?

Being an archaeologist, she started diving deep into museum catalogues and researches. The main article presenting her discoveries is enriched by the list of her resources (books, articles, links), of the extant finds she was able to find in museums, a map and timeline of those finds. Far from being able to give a definitive answer, the research goes on.

All the results are being published in a book in 2024 in the Compleat Anachronist series, written with Daniel Craig Phelps.

Iron tool, maybe lucet, from Borg (Sweden), Middle ages

Brief history of the lucet braiding tool

The first issue of Living Medieval magazine

Book / Magazine

On Living Medieval magazine with an article about the lucet in reenactment

Book "The Lucet Compendium"

Provisional cover for "The Lucet Compendium" book by Sara Rossi and Daniel Craig Phelps

Rici was contacted by Daniel Phelps after the publication of her post about the history of the lucet. Author of “The Lucette Book“, he was in the process of writing a revised text about lucetting techniques for The Compleat Anachronist series.

Here the collaboration between the two was born, and they began a 4-hand work to write “The Lucet Compendium. A historical exploration and practical guide.”

Get the book

Discover more

Events

Lucet-themed events are a significant part of Rici and Locutus’s journey.
From engaging workshops to informative demonstrations, they are active in various occasions, presenting the tool, delving into its history, and showcasing a variety of techniques.

The primary focus lies in historical reenactments, where the lucet holds its own special position among traditional crafts.