How to Weave a Celtic Knot
Interlacing cords into patterned weaves use macrame techniques. This art form creates decorative knots, jewelry pieces, as well as patterned fabric panels to accent garments as decorative overlays. Artists use different mediums, such as decorative cord, hemp and rope, to weave the knotted pattern. The Celtic knot weave forms different patterns and shapes like the button, square, ring, and triangle knots, and the Celtic circle. Choose a Celtic triangle knot, referred to as the trinity knot or the Triquetra symbol, prior to weaving the knot pattern.
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Things You'll Need
- Decorative cord
- Scissors
- Basting thread
- Hand-sewing needle
- Cushioned board
- Pins
Instructions
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1
Cut the cord a minimum 36 inches in length with scissors. Add an extra 12 inches to make larger knots.
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2
Fold the cord in half. Cross the right tail over the left tail to form a minimum 3-inch loop diameter. The right tail is now on your left and the left tail is now on your right. You can adjust the sizing in a later step after the Celtic knot is complete. If you are working with movable or shifting cords such as charmeuse, use basting thread and make a long-stitch with a hand-sewing needle at the intersection to secure in place. If you are working with leather, satin or silk, place a cushioned board underneath your weave and pin outside of the intersection to hold the pattern in place, referred to as the cross pin technique.
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3
Form a counter-clockwise loop with the right tail by crossing the tail over the loop. Adjust the loop to the right of the initial loop made in Step 2. This forces the tail end to face the left.
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4
Repeat Step 3 with the remaining left tail. However, cross the tail end under to form the loop. Adjust the loop to the left of the initial loop made in Step 2, forming the triangle shape, referred to as segments. This forces the tail end to face the right. The crossed loop sits underneath the initial loop.
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5
Pass the right tail under the right side triangle loop and gently pull through the loop. Continue to pass the tail over the loop. Pass the tail under and over the initial loop from Step 2. The tail sits above the initial loop, facing the left.
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6
Repeat Step 5 with the left tail; however, pass the tail over and under the left side loop. Continue pulling the tail in an over-under-over weave through the initial loop until the tail sits above the initial loop, facing the right. The initial loop has a distinct cross at the center of the loop.
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7
Adjust the Celtic triangle knot by pulling the end tails to tighten as desired. You can continue to weave the pattern with the end tails by repeating Steps 2 through 6. Form the loop with the end tails to start weaving another Celtic triangle knot.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose the weaving medium such as decorative cord or hemp. If you are using the Celtic triangle knot for jewelry like earrings, choose suede or leather cording. If you are making a weaved fabric insert to finish sleeve cuffs, pockets or collars, referred to as a knotted panel, select textiles such as satin, charmeuse or silk to make flat cording.
