carving a celtic design on a staff

[nlcromwell]

I have been requested to carve a staff for a client with a celtic design in two band around it plus a flower design. This is for his wife. I am looking for a design and info on carving celtic designs as I have not done one in the past. Can anyone direct me to a good tutorial or other info on this?
Thanks
nlc

[Robert Cahill]

It looks like Lora Irsih is updating her site but she has Celtic desighs you may interesting.

Celtic Knots

[Just Carving]

It's not a flower but maybe it will help somehow:

Untitled Document

Bob L

[carver33]

A search on Google Images for "Celtic flower" returns some interesting ideas.

[petertheartist]

Often the idea of Celtic knot work is to give the appearance of a single, unbroken line. so if there are two bands going around the staff, they should be integrated into that line as well. Ideally, the line should be worked in an over under pattern, like weaving, so that the line never pass over, or under two other segments of line in a row. That can be trickier on intricate patterns. I have always drawn the whole pattern out, then gone back to figure out the over and under.

Here's a link to a more flowery looking knot (it's done in tatting, but it's the pattern your looking for anyway)
http://threadsofatattinggoddess.blog...c%20flower.JPG

Good luck, I think you'll have fun with it!

[nlcromwell]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the links and advice.
nlc

[mpounders]

Something that I found helpful was to measure the circumference of the shaft with a piece of string or a tape measure and then to divide that length into equal segments. Celtic designs often have a repeating pattern, so determine where it starts to repeat, and use my computer or a copier to shrink it down to fit in one of the segments. Or draw it freehand or whatever to fit within the segment. Then you just trace it into each segment and your pattern should line up perfectly. If you find a pattern on the internet in JPG format, you can also paste it in a documnet and then stretch it a bit, to match the circumference of your staff.

[Northwest29]

He is a link that will show you how to design your own -

Celtic Knot Font - Create custom Celtic Knotwork on your computer!

Ron

[dogcatcher]

I was given a book "Celtic Art, the methods of construction" by George Bain, you can find it on Amazon. I have not used it that much, but it has gotten me through what I have tried. A used book will be less than $5.

[apburner]

Don't know if you guys are interested but I found many years ago and site that sells a celtic knot font. You simple type the knot you want with you key board in office or a similar product. The site is Celtic Knot Font - Create custom Celtic Knotwork on your computer!