What to do with little bits of lucet cord that are laying around? I made these cute little lucet earrings using cast-off bits from other projects and I love them.
Similar to my Challenge Earrings, this is another project made with orphan odds and ends in my studio.
I didn't quite have enough little lucet cord scraps in an earth tone palette, so I used some leather cording that I had on hand as well. Of course you could make a similar pair of earrings with lucet cords made from scratch. You could also use ribbons or strips of cloth or even naked yarn strands if you need to find some color-coordinated cording in a pinch.
Don’t know how to make lucet cords? In this project I feature a cord made with 2 gimps as well as some basic cord made with Lucci Rayon. If you want an in-depth reference, take a look at my book!
No need to use properly tied-off lengths of lucet cords. You can just cut these cords to length. The knots at the end keep cut lucet cords from unravelling.
MATERIALS
(14) 4 to 5” cords and lucet cords of your choice (or various longer cords that can be cut to these lengths)
(16) Size 6/0 seed beeds in coordinating color
(2) 1 1/4” Earring hoops similar to these.
Jewelry making pliers
Scissors
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EACH EARRING:
Step 1 - Add beads: String 4 beads onto the hoop.
Step 2 - Attach first cord: Attach the first cord with a lark’s head knot. This cord will be your shortest cord. Tie a simple overhand knot at one of the cord ends at your desired length and pull it tightly. Snip the tail as close to the cord as possible.
Step 3 - Tie longer and longer cords with sides of equal lengths: Tie an overhand knot on the second side of the first cord to match the length of the first. Trim the cord as close as possible to the knot. Then attach your second cord in the same way as in Step 2, making it a touch longer than the first cord. Proceed by tying an overhand knot on the second side of the second cord to match the length of the first side.
Step 4 - Work up to and past the middle cord: Continue in this way attaching the 4th cord, then the 5th cord. The 5th cord is the middle (and the longest!) cord and I used an ornate cord made of 2 gimps left over from my Summerfest Bracelet project.
Step 5 - Attach all 7 cords to earring: The cords on each side of the middle cord should mirror each other in length.
Step 6 - Add beads: Add 4 beads to earring.
Step 8 - Complete the earrings: Using jewelry pliers, bend the end of the hoop so that it fits through the ring as shown.
That’s it! What do you do with your left-over cord ends? If you make these earrings or any other project with left-over lucet cord, I would love to hear about it.
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Did you make this project (or one inspired by it) with your lucet? Post your photos on Instagram , FB or Twitter with tag #LucetWorkout. For a chance to win a prize! On Monday, January 8, 2018 I'll pick my 3 favorite photos. Besides sharing your great work with our followers in our newsletter and on social media, we will give each of these 3 people a $50 gift certificate to use at stitchdiva.com
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The most comprehensive guide to this ancient tool yet published! Do more with the yarn you already have! Learn to use this ancient Viking cording tool to make strong and very sturdy cords that you can use in so many ways. Make your knit and crochet projects even better. Use them to make drawstrings, lacings, buttons and embellishments for your knit and crochet projects. Also make jewelry, designer shoelaces, home improvement hacks and more with these strong cords. Author Jennifer Hansen teaches you 6 fundamental cord types and give you full instructions for 8 fun, easy and useful lucet projects. |