. Art crafts for amateurs . rs webs. NEEDLEWORK. 193 Keltic Embroidery. The extraordinary ingenuity displayed in the old Kelticdesigns makes them peculiarly suitable for needlework, andin some of the embroidery executed under the direction ofthe Donegal Industrial Fund excellent use was made of olddesigns, many of them to be found in the Durrow Bible ofthe eighth century. The notable feature in these Kelticpatterns is the interlacing of a sort of strap-work, as shownin Nos. 132 and 133. These patterns look very effectiveworked in long stitches of flax crossed at intervals bythreads at right an
. Art crafts for amateurs . rs webs. NEEDLEWORK. 193 Keltic Embroidery. The extraordinary ingenuity displayed in the old Kelticdesigns makes them peculiarly suitable for needlework, andin some of the embroidery executed under the direction ofthe Donegal Industrial Fund excellent use was made of olddesigns, many of them to be found in the Durrow Bible ofthe eighth century. The notable feature in these Kelticpatterns is the interlacing of a sort of strap-work, as shownin Nos. 132 and 133. These patterns look very effectiveworked in long stitches of flax crossed at intervals bythreads at right angles. Golden-coloured flax on a dull redground gives a fine harmony. Flax is more glossy thansilk, and used in long parallel stitches produces a rich andbrilliant effect, and varies in colour as the light playsover it. Endless variations can be evolved on these lines, two ofwhich are shown in Nos. 134 and 135. Another form Keltic designs take is the interweaving ofgrotesques, examples of which are given in Nos. 137 and No. 138.—Intwining Grotesques, from the Durrow Bible, 8th Century. We hardly find any parallel to such patterns in any othertime or country, and they are so full of decorative sugges-tiveness, as well as being wonderfully ingenious in them- 194 ART CRAFTS FOR AMATEURS. selves, that all designers should give them heed. Workedon a large scale such borders as Nos. 137 and 138 are veryeffective. They could easily be adapted for appliques. Another class of needlework is that in which braiding islinked with stitching. The continuous fish border, No. 139^is an example, the scrolls and curves being given by braid,and the forms that turn the braiding into fish worked institches. It does not look particularly effective on paper,but then no needlework designs do ; but such a pattern
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