page from "the book of Kells" |
detail of the page above from "the book of Kells" |
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another detail of the page from "the book of Kells" |
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Celtic embroidery designs are based upon the decorative arts of the Celts during the Middle Ages (from about 500 aC until about 1100 aC) in Ireland, Scotland and the Northern part of England. From that period quite a lot of illuminated manuscripts has been saved. The most important are "The book of Durrow", "The Lindisfarne gospels", and of cause"The book of Kells". These manuscripts are loaded with often very intricate and refined drawings of plaiting work, intertwined animal- and human figures, spirals and decorated letters. Also there has been find a lot of stones carved with Celtic motifs.You can get a good picture from this art by starting in the Wikipedia encyclopedia under "Celtic art" and "book of Kells". More than a century ago the Celtic art had been discovered once more and Celtic motifs were used in, for instance, tapestry designs. The last years you can find also designs for embroidery. There also are a few books with Celtic embroidery designs. Below you find a link to about 50 Celtic motifs in black and white, which gives a good idea about the possibilities for embroidery patterns. |
 page from"Lindisfarne gospels" |
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 page from "the book of Durrow " |
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 detail from the page above |
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The designs
Celtic motifs we can divide in plaiting patterns, key patterns, spirals, lettering and interlaced animals and human figures. In the years to come there will be added patterns of all these kinds of motifs. Mostly in cross stitch and double running (Holbein) stitch.
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