Drawing Celtic Knots

Celtic knots are an intricate form of interlace that date back to the middle ages, or even before. Many ancient manuscripts and stone sculptures are decorated with them. I find them fascinating, so I thought a "Celtic Knot" workshop in Toronto might provide a welcome winter break.

The instructor, a calligrapher, explained that researchers studying old manuscripts discovered grids of  dots - pin pricks on vellum manuscripts - marking the path the interlace would take. 














He showed us how to discover where these dots or pin pricks would have been in various designs. We then created grids and tried to replicate the pattern.














It was fun - a little like doing a puzzle. But as with any puzzle, breaks were needed from time to time to avoid getting a headache!














And suddenly, I started noticing examples of interlace all around me!