Celtic Knotwork Patterns

The eight basic Celtic knotwork patterns. Web site dedicated to Celtic knotwork.

Eight Basic Knotwork Patterns

Most knotwork patterns boil down to these eight identified patterns.

J. Romilly Allen says:

"There are eight elementary knots which form the basis of nearly all the interlaced patterns in Celtic decorative art...Two of the elementary knots are derived from a three-cord plait, and the remaining six from a four-cord plait."

J. Romilly Allen's book listed in the bibliography.

The eight basic knotwork patterns are reproduced here along with the three and four-courd plait from which they are derived. These are the patterns most frequently used by the Celtic artists.

The Three-Cord Plait

The three-cord plait

Knot #1

Knot #2

The Four-Cord Plait

The four-cord plait

Knot #3

Knot #4

Knot #5

Knot #6

Knot #7

Knot #8

Special Interest

Ian Bain's methods for drawing four-courd knots and three-courd knots.

Summary
It is possible to make more patterns from the three- and four-cord plaits than just these eight. These are however, the most used cords by artists for drawing Celtic knotwork patterns.

External Links

Irish Tattoos

Irish designs that you can get tattooed. Large selection of Celtic symbols and designs with meanings.

irish-tattoos.net

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