Celtic Knots for Beaded Jewellery

An entirely usable book, with enough projects to get you started in knotting but not so many as to be overwhelming. The illustrations are clear and, as far as I can tell, complete. I tried a couple of button knots to get the hang of it and then made a Celtic cross necklace with button knots and slider knots as my first project. (It wasn't quick, but it all worked!) I recommend starting with nylon (not rayon) rattail. (I have found satincord.com to be a reliable supplier.) Nylon is prettier than it sounds, and it's easier to handle. If you prefer rayon rattail or silk cord, you can move on to using them after your fingers are adept at holding the loops. A previous reviewer mentions using a large pin to move button knots to a desired position; I agree with this method. Just tie a few for practice and to understand the structure, and then you can learn to position them. Knotted jewelry is perfect for large beads, pendants, and odd jewelry findings you may not find another good use for. I am going to make knotted keepsakes for my family from the beads in my late aunt's costume jewelry box. This is a lovely book and the small number of projects is not a limitation; it's easy to see how to combine the techniques to make many more styles. I am ordering the same author's "Chinese Knots" today.

This book is just what I was looking for to get me started making necklaces and bracelets by combining knots with beads.

I have Suzen Millodot's Chinese Knots for Beaded Jewellery book and wondered whether this Celtic book would overlap too much with that publication. It does not. The basic explanation of knotting supplies and techniques are quite similar in the two books, but the knots (with the exception of the button knot) are unique within each book. I recommend buying both of these lovely books. I have made some jewelry creations that use knots from both books (in one piece) and they complement each other beautifully. The pictures are gorgeous and the drawings very helpful in figuring out how to formulate the knots. I am very pleased to have these books in my library.

It's about time we saw a book on Celtic knotwork where you can actually construct them, not merely draw them or engrave them. Suzen Millodot's book on Chinese Knots brought that lovely phase of knotting up to date, but her book on Celtic knotting is so long overdue, even late to arrive, on the downside of the Celtic cycle. If you've done macrame and even made a few hemp necklaces but are bored with current projects, its time to go three dimensional with these exquisite shapes. Millodot has her own style of knotting, which not surprisingly, overlaps with Chinese. Her use of the button knot is quite unique to her. I recommend learning the Josephine knot first, described later in the book, first, to get the easiest feel for the over/under rhythm. Then the button knot doesn't seem so difficult. It's merely an unlocked Josephine knot with an extra loop. Her method of pulling up the button knot also seems a doubling of effort. If you use a large hat pin to pull the knot up against, you can place it directly against a bead, rather than having to pull it up and shape it twice. Other than that technical criticism, these projects are feasts for the eyes. If you've done any knotting at all your hands will twitch to get cord between them and make these designs. Millodot's description of tools and methods is clear. The color photographs are stunning and enticing. If you've looked at all those coiled designs on crosses, on manuscripts, on Irish decorative items, now with this book you can pull them out of two dimensions, create them in linen, cotton and satin cord and wear them yourself. This book is a lovely and challenging addition to the current craft books.

The designs and patterns are beautiful. The instructions are easy to follow. I love this book.