How to Draw Celtic Knot Work by Andy Sloss
Cassell 2002 ISBN 9780304361250
In Part I of this hardback book the novice quickly learns to draw intricate Celtic-style knotwork. A comprehensive Part II- about two thirds of its 190 pages - then acts as a source book of patterns from which experienced students can pick-’n’-mix to create their own imaginative patterns for use as a basis for knitting, embroidery, etc. The author, who is based in Galloway, Scotland, developed his unique system when trying to write a computer program for knot designs. It is based upon a set of eight basic curves, which can be assembled in any sequence that complies with the logic of just three simple rules. Owing little to the methods of classic Celtic manuscript illustrations, the method is wholly appropriate to the needs of today’s knot designs. Concerned with more than mere passive geometry, however, Andy Sloss considers briefly the role of pen, brush or pyrography; inspired freehand versus ruler, compasses and dividers; and even mentions the copy, rotate, paste functions of computers and the place of the photocopier. Indeed, a computer design package called ‘ProScribe’, created as a companion to the book, is also available (details available from http://www.51055.com/graphics.html ... but has not been seen by the reviewer. With a respectful nod at the traditional methods of construction typical of earlier books, such as the 1977 publication by George Bain, the author of this latest work prefers to look ahead rather than back with his fresh and original approach to a traditional subject. For, as he writes; ‘We are here to be as creative as we can be, and it is up to us to make the most of the tools available.’