This was the first knotwork frame design I worked on though it’s the second one in the series. When I first undertook this project I went through my files and looked at them in order of how I numbered the originals. The first numbered pattern was intimidating; this one less so.
It’s a single-row rather than a double-row pattern. It also has a lot of straight line elements. When working in Illustrator it’s easy to duplicate elements. I created the first rectangular elements, then duplicated them throughout the pattern.
This is an approximately 8×10 ratio knotwork frame, and is fully scalable. The zipped package includes the full frame plus the individual components in transparent .png, .svg and .eps both with and without a border, plus the original Illustrator .ai file. The file elements are red in this one, but all versions can be color-changed with image editing software. Appropriate for printing, dye sublimation, digital design.
The charm of Celtic knot design is in it’s color and patterning. The monks who illuminated books like the Lindisfarne Gospels or the Book of Kells created repeating patterns in unique ways. The colors are gloriously rich and vibrant and the designs are fanciful. I picked up on the repeating pattern and got the idea to create individual pattern blocks. This allows someone using image software to assemble frames of different sizes using individual sections.
This type of knotwork frame pattern is a good basis for a scrapbook page. I imagine them outlined with gold or silver paint, with photos set in the center area. I’m especially fond of the strong simplicity on this one and may do a single-bar version. It would make a good banner background.
