How to Draw a Celtic Knot on Squared Paper

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1 Simple Knot

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Reviewed by Jeanine Hattas Wilson

Last Updated: April 3, 2021

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This article will show you an easy way to draw a Celtic knot on squared paper. You can pick whether you want to draw a simple knot and expand to a more advanced with "holes".

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 1:

Simple Knot

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Drawing the Base

1. 
   1
   Choose how long you want to make the knot by drawing small diagonals at every other intersection of the squared paper. 5 lines is recommended for beginners.
2. 
   2
   Choose how wide you want to make the knot by drawing small diagonals at every other intersection of the squared paper. 4 lines is recommended for beginners.
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3. 
   3
   Do the same with the bottom and the left side so that you have a rectangle.
4. 
   4
   Make a smaller rectangle the same way but one square in.
5. 
   5
   Draw a second diagonal next to the ones existing to make arrows pointing towards the centre of the rectangle. Do not draw a second diagonal in the corners!
6. 
   6
   Draw small squares.

   • It's often easiest to start by drawing all of the left facing sides first and then draw the right facing sides.
     
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Drawing the Lines

1. 
   1
   Start by drawing in the lower right corner by connecting the diagonal in the inner corner with the left side of the arrow closest to the lower left corner (not the corner itself).
2. 
   2
   Draw a line parallel to the line you just drew on the right side of the small square + arrow.
3. 
   3
   Follow the line you just drew along the diagonal alternating between drawing on the left and right side of the small square.
4. 
   4
   Look for a line drawn on the left side of the small square and draw a parallel line to the right of the small squares.

   • You have to go from the side of the small square or arrow.
     
   • Repeat step 3.
     
5. 
   5
   Repeat step 4 until you have reached the upper left corner.
6. 
   6
   Do step 1 again but this time start from the upper right corner.
7. 
   7
   Use the same technique as before until you reach the lower left corner.
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Finishing the Knot

1. 
   1
   Draw curved edges starting from one side of an outer arrow and connecting it with the arrow next to it.
2. 
   2
   Fill in the lines to make them bolder.

   • When you're drawing the edge curves, draw them as a continuous line to make it more smooth.
     
   • Do this until all lines have been filled in.
     
3. 
   3
   Fill in the small squares.
4. 
   4
   Draw curved edges on the inner arrows making them look like pizza slices.
5. 
   5
   Fill in the arrows/pizza slices.
6. 
   6
   Draw curves on the edges making them look like half circles.
7. 
   7
   Fill in the half circles in the corners.
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Adding Optional Finishing Touches

1. 
   1
   Fill in the spaces between the outer curves.
2. 
   2
   Make a black border.
3. 
   3
   Shade.
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===Advanced Knot with Holes===

Creating the Base

1. 
   1
   Draw the outline like before. Since it has holes, it needs to be a bit bigger.
2. 
   2
   Choose the size and position of the holes by drawing small squares with one side missing. If you have holes that are bigger than the ones on the picture, draw outward facing arrows between the corner.
3. 
   3
   Draw arrows pointing outward from the holes.
4. 
   4
   Draw the small squares.
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Drawing the Lines

1. 
   1
   Start in the lower right corner.
2. 
   2
   Continue till you've reached the upper left corner.

   • Near the holes it gets a bit tricky. Just remember that you can only draw a line from the side of a small square or arrow.
3. 
   3
   Follow step 1 and 2 again but this time start from the upper right corner and stop when you reach the lower left corner.
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Finishing the Knot

1. 
   1
   Draw the edges like before.
2. 
   2
   Draw the edges inside the holes.
3. 
   3
   Fill in the lines. This is a great step because it makes it look nicer and it helps you discover any mistakes you might have made.
4. 
   4
   Draw curves on the arrows making them into pizza slices and curves on the corners making them half circles.

   • Remember to draw the curves on the arrows near the holes.
     
5. 
   5
   Fill in the small squares, pizza slices, and half circles.
6. 
   6
   Shade if desired.

   • Another optional step is to colour the spaces between the curves on the edges or to make a black border but remember that you have to do the same in the holes (if you make a black border, fill in the entire hole instead of just along the edges).
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1. 
   1
   Finished.

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