Creating Celtic Knotwork: A Fresh Approach to Traditional Design

by Cari Buziak

"The complex designs can be confusing, but I love how this book makes it simple to follow. The author offers two innovative — and very simple — approaches to designing unique celtic knot designs that make it easy enough for (almost) anyone to create their own." — Daily Greet

Whether you're a complete beginner or have already attempted to learn the art of Celtic knotwork, this is the book for you! Artists at all levels will treasure this guide, which not only demonstrates how to duplicate patterns from a rich and varied gallery of examples but also how to take the next step to creating your own unique designs.
This newly revised edition of Creating Celtic Knotwork features a wealth of added material and revisions. Author Cari Buziak draws upon her extensive teaching experience to present easy-to-understand, well-illustrated instructions that explain all the basic techniques of Celtic patterns as well as the art's meaning and history. In addition to spirals, mazes, and step patterns, the designs include dragons, hounds, and other animals as well as human forms. Exercises and tips encourage experimentation that will allow you to develop your own variations on traditional forms. Information on drawing tools, painting materials, transferring patterns, and other practical aspects will help you get started right away.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Art

128 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2018

About the author

Cari Buziak is a bestselling author and Celtic artist. She currently lives in Alberta, Canada, with one cat, two dogs, and two beehives. In a mix of old techniques (hand made gesso, egg tempera, gold leaf) and new (several Mac computers) she recreates ancient manuscripts in painted and digital form for a wide variety of publishing, merchandise, and fine art needs.

Over the last 25 years, Cari has become one of the foremost artists of the Celtic genre. Her work has been featured in design magazines and she has had gallery exhibitions in Calgary, Toronto, Indiana, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Japan, London, and New York. Cari has sold worldwide, and her artwork appears in private collections in Canada, Europe, Japan, and the United States. Current and past published works include work for Dover Publications, Interweave Press, Penguin/Pearson Books, Llewellyn Publications, Chronicle Books and many others.

Visit http://www.aon-celtic.com to learn more about her work!

Become a patron of Celtic art: https://www.patreon.com/AonCelticArt

Learn Celtic art on her YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/c/AonCelticArt

For instantly downloadable colouring pages and artwork for sale check out her Etsy page at: http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AonCelticArt

Reviews

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

GNAB You can always count of Dover to bring you arty work books with clear, precise instructions, and Creating Celtic Knotwork is no exception. Cari Buziak has established a system of knot tying that is rather unique and results in precisely places knots and an evenly worked piece. There are instructions for pieces way above my skill level, but using the big dot little dot and a little practice I am willing to tackle even them. Thank you Cari Buziak for opening up this lovely work method to these old hands.

I received a free electronic copy of this workbook from Netgalley, Cari Buziak, and Dover Publications. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

pub date Jan 16 or 17, 2018
Dover Publications, Arts and Photography

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited about this book. I have always wanted to learn how to make Celtic knots. They are so beautiful. I honestly figured they would be extremely hard to make and that it would take years of training to get them right. With this book, a sheet of graph paper, and a pack of markers I have learned the art. No mine are not totally perfect yet but I can say I have designed and made a few already. I have even used some plain craft ribbon to make some of my creations. I have designed a small knot to make out of wire to make earrings and a matching necklace to give as gifts.

This book is an instruction manual to making Celtic knots. It takes you step by step through multiple knots, shapes, and sizes. These knots are so intricate I never thought they would be so easy to make. The book is very easy to read and gives you all the information with diagrams you need to get you started and on your way to making these beautiful knots. This book is not just for beginners but advanced knot makers can find many useful tips and designs as well.

The book is very easy to follow. There is a diagram for each step in the creation process. There are simple knots, more advanced, and even shapes like the Celtic dog, lion, and even a person. This to me is the perfect book for anyone interested in making and designing Celtic knots.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANKS TO DOVER BOOKS, I HAVE A COPY OF THIS FAB BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!

The first, Creating Celtic Knotwork, A Fresh Approach to Traditional Design by Cari Buziak, allows novice artists to create professional results with beautiful Celtic designs. With beautiful graphics and easy, step by step instructions, the author walks you through basic designs that can be used as beautiful boarders on cards then, by the end of the book, you will be learning to create amazing works of art.

I cannot draw a convincing stick figure, but found this fabulous book allowing to stretch my artistic wings and if not fly quite yet, with the easy, set by step instructions allowing me to create what I could never have done before. The materials needed are inexpensive and easily found, most of you probably have them in a drawer someplace at home. If you ever wanted to become an artist, but need a bit more structure than freehand art, you will love the designs Buziak helps you create.

I could go on all day about this great book, but I bet you would like to know how to win!To have a chance in the random drawing to be held on June 29, 2018 you just need to like this post on FB, Twitter or Goodreads. You will get an additional 5 entries if you leave a comment on the post on my blog, writeknit.wordpress.com. When the winner is drawn, I will send both winners my email address so that you can privately send your mailing address. (The prizes are limited to the U.S. only). Good Luck!!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Creating Celtic Knotwork" is a art instruction book on how to create Celtic knots. The author described how to make a basic knot, provided grids to practice making some traditional knots, and explained how to modify the basic knot to make your own knot patterns and unique flourishes. She described how to make a trefoil knot and knots in borders, corners, rings, and crosses. She also showed how to make spirals, maze and step patterns, and add animals (snakes, dragons, dogs, birds, etc.), people, and chalices into the knots. At the very end, she explained how to transfer the design created on the grid onto your project and provided suggestions on coloring it.

The author broke the process down into easy steps and illustrated those steps. A couple times, I wouldn't have known what she intended from the text alone, but the illustrations were very easy to follow. The book contained a square grid and a circle grid that you can make copies of, and she described how to make your own grids using grid paper. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those interested in learning how to make their own Celtic knot designs. I've never tried to make Celtic knots before, but the author makes it seem do-able and I've been happy with the basic knots that I've tried so far.

I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Creating Celtic Knotwork - A fresh approach to traditional Design
Author: Cari Busiak
Publisher: Dover Publications
Date of Publishing: January 16, 2018

This book given to me by NetGalley and Dover Publications in exchange for my honest review.

I have done macramé, I now how nautical knots and different knots for securing things and scouting knots, but have never attempted Celtic knots before. I found them beautiful to look at, but was surprised to find them so different from other knotting techniques. This is definitely not a book for beginners and I myself will need to find one a bit more in depth to begin with. Yet some one with even the most basics of learning will find it interesting and probably a lot easier to follow than I did. There are dome beautiful illustrations of the different design discussed and I hope to learn a little before trying again.

I gave "Creating Celtic Knotwork - A fresh approach to traditional Design" a 3.5 out of a total of 5 stars. If I had a higher level of skill I most likely have rated it higher..


Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078JKH4XP/...

B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crea...

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Celtic knotwork, plus I am working on keeping a journal this year. So when I came across this book, I fell in love.

The book begins with a basic grid page, to be copied, then continue on with the basics, such as a basic Celtic knot and how to modify it. They also give models of different knots such as the trefoil knot.

Some of the other sections in this book include borders and corners, crosses, spirals, maze and step patterns, zoomorphics, techniques and materials.

I found this book to be just right for me. I am not usually a very good pencil artist, but with this book in my hand, I believe that I can make a start at creating my own Celtic knotwork.

I was given this book by Dover Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creating Celtic Knotwork is the perfect book for anyone wishing to dabble in Celtic design. It provides step-by-step instructions on how to form many traditional patterns, including animals and figures, and each step is accompanied by a clear illustration; there are even a couple of templates at the back. All in all, this is an excellent resource for designers and artists looking to incorporate a Celtic look into their work, or even just someone with academic interest, who wonders how the designs are created.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very comprehensive how to book on producing Celtic knotwork designs.
The author takes you through the stages, so that in no time you will have a picture to be proud of.
Cari also shows you how to design your own so that you will have something unique to treasure.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Dover Publications via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Iribeliz Rodriguez-Aquino]

Liked

Enjoy drawing and learning about the different knots. You receive history along with knowledge of how to draw them. It was good .

[Ray And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Love this book. It's great for beginners like me. I would suggest it highly.
Down the line, I'll buy the paper version.

[Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Celtic knotwork. It always appears so elegant and intricate. What I enjoyed about this book is detailed descriptions and history. It was interesting to read about where symbols came from, what they mean, and their relevance. I was disappointed because the directions on how to create them is all text. I am a more of visual learner so reading text upon text about how to create the images.

Overall, I loved the images, few as they were, but felt it was too text heavy.

[Agnes Preszler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book leads the reader from the very first steps of creating beautiful celtic knotwork to the advanced level through very clear explanations and examples. It covers subjects as borders and corners, crosses, spirals and rings, also modifications in order to incorporate florals, animals and humans.
It is highly recommended to those interested in the subject wanting to follow the traditional techniques, understand the rules and also having a huge amount of patience and time. For those who want rapid results I'd recommend the celtic knotwork softwares instead that you can find on the net..

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully presented book. I found the circle type of creating very easy to follow, but unfortunately basic cross work explanation was a little hard to understand originally, I did get it in the end, but I did not find it easy.
The book has some lovely ideas and the explanation for adding animals to a border was easy to follow. Fabulous colour and pictures

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reference on Celtic knotwork. Cari provides tutorials with easy step to step illustrated instructions. Excellent book!

[RedRobinXXX · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book for Cari Buziak, Dover Publications, and NetGalley who gave me a copy of their book for an honest review.
Wow – I never thought I would be able to create Celtic knotwork. I was a bit confused at first despite the step by step instructions but I preserved and after a few wrong turns was able to create a passable Celtic knot design.