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.

You can find Allen's book listed in the bibliography.

I have reproduced the eight basic knotwork patterns here, along with the three- and four-cord plait from which they're derived. My knotwork page tells how to draw these knots. Of special interest are Iain Bain's methods for drawing four-cord knots and three-cord knots.

	The three-cord plait
	Knot #1
	Knot #2
	The four-cord plait
	Knot #3
	Knot #4
	Knot #5
	Knot #6
	Knot #7
	Knot #8

Obviously, it's possible to make more patterns from the three- and four-cord plaits than just these eight. However, these are the patterns most frequently used by the Celtic artists. Therefore, I recommend sticking with these basic patterns in your projects to enhance the authenticity.