I've had it for a few months now but it's a great item to have on my desk to keep myself occupied when shots are rendering.

I've always found celtic knots fascinating, because of their visual complexity, the intricate craft. I've asked myself why people used to do this, what they represent, what their purpose is. More importantly, I've wondered how they were made, being confused by their apparent duality of geometric precision and organic aesthetics. Visually, they felt difficult, not only to draw, but to conceptualize.

This book answers all these questions quite well.

In reality, it's accessible to everyone, which is really at the core of folk art. Its construction rests upon a system of dot grids which allows you to trace everything by hand - if you have a checkered sheet, you're good to go. Some more complex designs will require a pair of compasses, unless you're really good at drawing circles by hand, but that's about it. That simplicity driven by basic geometric guidelines came as a big surprise to me and demystified the visual intricacy.

Knotwork is a very satisfying craft. It's fun but at the same time demands precision and geometric thinking. It serves as a throwback to school, answering the question I've asked myself quite a few times in those days and here namely during geometry class, "what am I learning this for?". It's immediately appealing to the eye and brings satisfaction, but it also allows for emotional resonance because it's folk art. Its abstract nature permits symbolism the way you want, be it visual and philosophical connections to nature, a human link to the past, spirituality - you name it.

It's a great pastime in itself but I really enjoy it as a skill to have as an addition to my artistic toolset and a means of symbolic expression.

Very easy to find too, avoid Amazon if you can, but if not, it's there.

W00t! I'm satisfied!

(also my hand hurts like hell)