How to Make Celtic Knotwork

Medieval scribes decorated the pages of manuscripts with Celtic knotwork.

Celtic knotwork was first used in Ireland in the 7th Century AD, and has lasted through the centuries as a viable artform. Celtic knotwork can be used for various things, such as decorating invitations and letters, bordering a drawing, decorating journal pages and more. Celtic knotwork takes time and patience, but if practiced it can create a beautiful look. There are many traditional patterns you can follow or you can create your own designs.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Paint brush
• Black Indian Ink

Instructions

1. Draw two parallel diagonal lines to form a bar, using a pencil. Draw the bar so it is leaning toward the right. Then, draw two more parallel bars leaning to the left. Do not draw over your previous bar; instead, stop when you hit the previous bar and lift up your pencil, jumping over the previous bar and then continue again so it looks like the second bar is underneath the first one. It should look like an "X." Do not connect the tops of the lines and box the X; leave the tops of each bar open. This is called a right-handed cross because it looks like you're crossing your left index finger with your right index finger. If it were the left finger on top, it would be called a left-handed cross. These crosses are one of the base images of Celtic knotwork.

2. Draw a second cross next to the first one. This can be a left-handed or a right-handed cross.

3. Draw a curve at the top of the "X" so it loops around and connects to the next "X." It should look like a double X, for example: "XX."

4. Continue making a series of these crosses until your drawing is as large as as you'd like it to be.

5. Tie off an end by drawing a curve starting from the ends or the cross and connecting them to a vertical bar. The bar will look like an "I."

6. Tie off the other end by repeating Step 5.

7. Paint over the pencil knotwork you just drew with Indian ink. This will give it a professional and artistic feel.

Tips & Warnings

• The crosses don't have to be right side up. You can tilt the crosses so they create different patterns and angles. This will also help create curves and circles. If you mess up, just take out the eraser and start again.

References

• Elfwood: Drawing Celtic Knots
• Calligraphy Skills: Drawing Celtic Knots: Katharine Scarfe Beckett