Like But Unlike

Day 303: These two square braids (one heavier than the other) may appear to have been constructed using the same technique since on each face, they both exhibit a V-shaped stitch not unlike a chain of crochet, but they are structurally quite different. The gold-coloured braid was made using a single strand of thread on a lucet, and the rosy-toned one was braided with five "bowes" (loops) which were manipulated entirely on the hands. The lucet-made cord is in fact essentially peg-knit on two pegs (the two tines of the lucet), but the strands of the fingerloop braid not only pass over/under as in standard braiding, but also through one another as they are exchanged from hand to hand. Each system for making these braids has its advantages and disadvantages. Lucet-made cords are more likely to unravel if broken. Fingerloop braids can only be made with loops as long as half the distance between the weaver's outstretched arms unless they happen to have an assistant who is willing to tighten each pass against the fell. Not too many of us have a friend who is quite that patient!

Lucet Braiding

Day 109: Lucet braiding is a simple cord-making technique and dates back at least to mediaeval times, possibly earlier. It is closely allied to French spool-knitting, a later development. The first lucets were probably no more than forked sticks, and over the history of the craft became more refined to include an outward bend at the tips of the tines as a means of assuring that the work would not slip off while the thread was being passed over the previous loop. Almost any smooth thread or cord can be used to create a lucet braid as long as it can be manipulated with the fingers. The diameter of the braid is dependent on the size of the fiber and tensioning. A braid can be as loose or firm as the fiber artist requires. One of the main differences between lucet braiding and French knitting is that the lucet tool is generally only two-pronged. Some three- and four-pronged versions exist, but these are largely modern innovations. The resultant braid worked on a two-pronged lucet is square, but beads or other embellishments can be added while working. Gimp materials (those carried by the braid but not actually braided themselves) may also be added to give width or character to the work. Here, I am using a modern rosewood lucet to create a braid from crochet cotton which will be used as the drawstring for a sprang bag of the same material.