Celtic Knot Interlace Drawing Project

Paper (graph paper is helpful but not required)

Ruler

Pencil and eraser

Fine-tip marker or pen for final inking

Colored pencils or markers

Use a ruler to draw a grid of evenly spaced dots on your paper — start with 4 rows by 4 columns, about 1 inch apart.

Connect the dots with smooth, flowing curves to create a looping path. The path should weave around the dots, crossing over itself repeatedly.

At each crossing point, one line goes over the other. Alternate: if the line went over at the last crossing, it goes under at the next. This creates the woven look.

Erase a tiny section of the line that goes under at each crossing. This break in the line creates the illusion that one ribbon passes behind the other.

Add a parallel line about a quarter inch from each original line to give the ribbon width and dimension.

Smooth out all curves so they flow evenly. Celtic knots look best when the curves are graceful and consistent.

Ink over the final design with a fine-tip marker. Erase all pencil guidelines.

Color the ribbon one or two colors. Add a contrasting background color. Gold ribbon on a dark green or blue background looks particularly striking.

The over-under pattern is the key to the Celtic knot illusion. Consistent alternating creates the visual weave.

Start with a simple knot — a basic four-crossing design — before attempting complex multi-crossing patterns.

Celtic knotwork dates back over 1,500 years to illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells. Your child is recreating an ancient artistic tradition.

Symmetry is important. The more symmetrical your knot, the more pleasing it looks. Use the grid to keep everything balanced.

Try designing a Celtic-style border for a page — a long, narrow knot pattern that runs along the edges like a frame.