Using Celtic Wedding Cross Stitch To Recognize Your Heritage

by Julia Wigham

Rich in tradition, the Celtic heritage includes many different wedding traditions from as long ago as the Middle Ages. As the centerpiece of one of these traditions, the beautiful Celtic knot is combined in many different ways from handfasting, a pagan wedding ceremony, to decorating couple’s jewelry. A great way to include the Celtic knot is to use Celtic wedding cross stitch patterns for gifts and keepsakes.

Did you know that the expression “tying the knot” has Celtic origins? It is based on the custom of binding the bride and grooms hands together during the ceremony to signify the union of two people and is known as the handfasting. Even the word bride comes from the name of the Celtic Goddess and saint, Brigid.

Commercial celtic wedding cross stitch patterns often feature knotwork borders, with unbroken lines interlaced in complex patterns, that are are supposed to protect against evil. You may also find a Celtic blessing inside the border, written in the insular hand of the Ogham or Celtic Tree Alphabet. Each of the twenty characters in this alphabet not only represents a letter, but also a tree, whose name begins with that same letter.

For those wishing to create their own Celtic wedding cross stitch designs, there is a book titled “Celtic Cross Stitch: 30 Alphabet, Animal and Knotwork Projects” by Gail Lawther. It was published in 1996 and has many different ideas for both beginning and experienced crafters. It allows someone to create patterns for samplers and embroidery designs for things like wedding dresses and christening robes.

“Celtic Cross Stitch Designs” by Carol Phillips is a wonderful book for anyone who likes to customize everyday items like napkins, tablecloths, picture frames and other things. This can be a fun way to help the couple celebrate their love of all things Celtic throughout the years.

For advanced crafters who want to create their own Celtic wedding cross stitch patterns, sites like Aon Celtic Art and Illumination (http://www.aon-celtic.com/) offers free resources for creating your own borders, and they also offer more complex cross stitch patterns for sale. Many can be used to create wedding samplers and other gifts.

Anyone who wants to incorporate their Celtic traditions, where actual or chosen, has many different options to create Celtic wedding cross stitch patterns. They spectacular beauty of the Celtic designs will surely enhance any customized gift for any bride and groom.

About the Author:

Julia Wigham is an experienced author and co-founder of Patterns Patch cross stitch forums. An online cross stitch club whose subscribers get free: patterns, articles and tutorials. Visit our lively => cross stitch blogs right now.