A trinity knot from three overlapping leaf shapesThree pointed ovals around one center. Weave them: each arc goes over one neighbor and under the next.
A figure of eight on its side, drawn as a doubled lineDraw the path once, then a second line beside it, so the cord becomes a band with two edges.
A five-point knot from one line, like a star tied in cordDraw the star without lifting the pen, round its points into loops, then weave the five crossings.
A four-point knot drawn as one endless lineOne line makes four corner loops through the middle. It has no loose end to tie off.
A pretzel knot with both ends tucked back inJoin the two ends so the cord becomes endless, as most Celtic knots are.
A shield-shaped knot: four corners tied inside a squareFour quarter loops meet at the center. Keep the band one width from start to finish.
A simple overhand knot given a band with two edgesGive the cord two edges and erase one of them wherever the ribbon passes under itself.
A square knot of two interlocked U shapesEach U is a band with rounded ends. Where they cross, one goes over at the top and under at the foot.
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Basic knots, continued
A three-loop knot with every arc split into two strandsSplitting the band doubles the crossings. The rule stays: over, then under, along every strand.
A trinity knot from three overlapping leaf shapesThree pointed ovals around one center. Weave them: each arc goes over one neighbor and under the next.
A trinity knot inside a larger one, the two woven togetherTwo sizes of the same three arcs. The small knot passes over and under the large one six times.
A trinity knot threaded through a circleThe circle weaves too. Follow it around: over an arc, under the next, never the same twice in a row.
Two linked loops crossing four timesTwo long ovals at right angles. Each loop goes over, under, over, under the other one.
Borders and braids 12
A bookmark braid that starts and ends in a pointThis cord has two ends on purpose. Bring the three strands to a point at the top and at the foot.
A border cord that ends in an animal's headLong ribbons in this style often end in an animal's head. Add an eye and a jaw biting the cord.
A braid that turns a corner without breakingAt the corner the outer strand takes the long way around and the inner strand turns tight.
A braid with two strands turned back to make a knotA braid that is broken and joined again is what makes true knotwork. Turn two strands at one crossing.
A four-strand weave built on rows of dotsMark dots in a grid, join them on the diagonal and weave. It comes out like basket weave.
A line of loops: one cord crossing itself at every crestDraw a looping wave. The cord goes over itself in one loop and under itself in the next.
A row of trinity knots joined tip to tipThe cord of one knot runs on into the next, so the whole row is a single line.
A three-strand braid drawn as flat bandsThe earliest patterns in this style were interwoven cords. Each band goes over, then under.
A twisted cord frame around your nameA two-strand twist bent into a rectangle. Plan the corners first so the twist meets itself.
A two-strand twist running along the page edgeTwo wavy lines that cross again and again. One strand is on top at one crossing and below at the next.
A wide woven panel six strands acrossMany Celtic knots are kinds of basket weave. Six bands, each over one and under one, edge to edge.
Interlocked oval rings marching along a marginEach link passes over the link before it and under the link after it.
Knots in a shape: circle, heart, shamrock 12
A heart knot: a single cord crossing itself at the dipOne line runs down the middle, out around each lobe and back to where it began.
A knotwork butterfly: wide upper wings, narrow lower wingsOne cord crossing at the body. Keep the left and right loops the same size.
A one-line shamrock: three woven loops ending in a stemA shamrock is a kind of clover and a symbol of Ireland. Three loops, each crossing the next, then the stalk.
A ring made of a single twist, like a wreath of cordDraw two circles close together, then cross them at even gaps so they read as two strands.
A round knot that touches its circle in four placesFour loops reach the rim and four crossings sit near the center. The circle itself stays plain.
A round tree panel: boughs and roots woven at the rimBranches bend down, roots bend up and they join around the rim, crossing over and under.
A shamrock where each leaf is a small knotTie a tiny three-arc knot inside each leaf and let one cord run from leaf to leaf.
A square panel of knotwork with four matching cornersDraw one corner, then turn the page a quarter and repeat it. Join the loose strands at the sides.
A star outlined by a single weaving bandThe band crosses itself at each inner corner: over at one, under at the next.
A triangle filled by one cord with three corner loopsThe cord visits each corner, loops once and crosses the middle. Round every bend.
A wheel of eight outer loops around a woven centerEight loops around the rim, all one cord. Count the crossings: each strand must alternate.
Your initial drawn wide and packed with knotworkInsular books fill enlarged initial letters with knotwork. Draw the letter wide, then braid inside it.
Spirals, key patterns and animals in interlace 12
A fish curled into a ring, tail woven through its finThe body is the band. It goes over the fin, then under itself where the tail comes around.
A hound with a long body knotted around itselfAnimal forms are woven like cords in this style. Stretch the body thin and pass it over and under.
A key pattern: a line stepping in squares like a mazeKey patterns were a main motif before knotwork. Use squared paper and turn only at right angles.
A page border mixing spirals, a key pattern and a braidCarpet pages are full pages of pattern, mostly geometric. Give each side of the border one motif.
A row of running spirals, each feeding the nextThe line leaves one coil and winds straight into the next, so the row never breaks.
A single spiral that winds in and back out againTwo lines coil side by side to the center, where one turns into the other.
A step pattern: a staircase line mirrored into diamondsStep patterns sit beside spirals and key patterns in early Celtic art. Mirror the stairs both ways.
A three-armed whirl of coils, all winding clockwiseA triskelion is a triple spiral. All three coils turn the same way and are the same size.
A torc: a stiff twisted collar, open at the frontA torc is a stiff metal neck ring, often of twisted strands and open at the front. Twist two bands.
A trumpet-shaped curl opening from a spiralTrumpet shapes and S-scrolls come from the older curving style. Let the line widen as it leaves the coil.
Two birds with necks crossed and beaks to tailsDraw each bird as a ribbon with a head. The necks cross once and the legs weave through the tails.
Two spirals joined by an S-curveS-scrolls belong to the older curving style. Wind one coil each way and join them with one sweep.
Most Celtic knots are endless: one cord with no loose end, passing over and under by turns. This list starts with the trinity knot and a two-strand twist and works up to braids, shaped knots, spirals and animals.
Read the full guide
The one rule: over, then under
Draw the path of the cord as a single line first. Give it a second edge so it becomes a band, and at each crossing erase the band that goes under. Along any strand the crossings take turns. A trinity knot from three overlapping leaf shapes has only three.
Easy Celtic patterns to draw before the knots
Spirals, step patterns and key patterns were main motifs of Celtic art before knotwork. A single spiral that winds in and back out again and A key pattern: a line stepping in squares like a maze need no weaving. Easy is a choice under More filters.
Questions and answers
What are easy Celtic symbols to draw?
The triquetra, which is three interlaced arcs; the triple spiral; and the shamrock, a clover that symbolizes Ireland. This list shows how each is built and gives no meanings.
Which are the easy to draw knots for a first try?
A two-strand twist running along the page edge, then Two linked loops crossing four times. Both have few crossings, so the over and under rule is quick to check.
What other Celtic art ideas are on the list?
Borders and braids, knots that fill a heart, a circle or a letter, and animals in interlace such as A hound with a long body knotted around itself. Long ribbons in this style often end in an animal's head.
Do Celtic knots have a start and an end?
Most do not. Most Celtic knots are endless knots, and many are kinds of basket weave. The bookmark braid on this list is one that has two ends on purpose.