I’ve started playing around with Celtic knots, it’s fascinating! Someone once said that when you create a celtic knot it’s like learning to plait on paper (or in my case on my iPad )

Celtic knot work is based on the structure of a plait with two, three, four, five or six strands. By crossing over each strand, linked knots are created.

All plaits and weaves have in common crossed strands. Strands cross each other, over and under, to make all plaits and interlaced patterns.

The use of knots or knot work design started in the third and fourth century AD. Did you know that basic knot work designs were used in floor mosaics in the Roman Empire.

Here are a couple of designs that I’ve tried, you have to really concentrate when drawing and get the interlacing right. Great for use as borders in your artwork.

A little bit of history;

“Celtic knot designs began around the 7^th century in northern Italy and southern Gaul. These designs were likely created by Coptic monks from Syria or Egypt to illuminate manuscripts. The style that would eventually give rise to Celtic knot design was then spread to Ireland and England. Although this type of illumination is most often associated with the Celtic people, it was also used extensively in England as well as the rest of Europe, where Irish and Northumbrian monks utilised knot work to illuminate religious manuscripts. The greatest source of Celtic knot imagery some say is the Book of Kells which takes it’s name from the Abbey of Kells in Kells, County Meath. Saint Columba is credited with creating the work. The Book of Kells is often considered one of Ireland’s national treasures.”