How to Do a Celtic Knot Braid

Celtic knots are a beautiful and intricate type of braid. They look very impressive and a little intimidating, but this hairstyle is much easier than it seems if you take it step-by-step. With a little practice, you can join in on this trend and sport a beautiful Celtic knot in your hair! Keep reading for a beginner-friendly hair tutorial on creating a Celtic knot braid.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making a Basic Celtic Braid

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-1.jpg\/aid8583017-v4-728px-Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Pull the sections from your temples or just above your ears. You will be using these to form the knot, so make them thin—about the thickness of a pen or pencil. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Position the loop at the center-back of your head. Point the loop upward and hold it between the thumb and forefinger on your left hand. Make the loop about two fingers thick.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Take the right strand with your right hand. Wrap it around the back of your head, towards your left hand. Grab it with your left pink and ring finger. Left go of the strand with your right hand.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Slide your right thumb and forefinger down through the top of the left strand, so that they are between the strand and your head. Grab the right strand, and pull it upwards so that it's between the left strand and your head. [2]
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-5.jpg\/aid8583017-v4-728px-Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Unless you have a helper, you will need to clip the loop in place. Use a duck bill hair clip to secure the left loop. Leave the right strand along for now.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Grab hold of the right loop. Pull it away from your head, then drag it downward so that it crosses in front of the left loop. [3]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Slid your fingers under the right strand and out through the left loop. Grab hold of the right strand, and pull it through the loop, towards your head. Continue pulling the strand under the right strand. [4]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Gently tighten it. Find the tail ends of both strands. Gently tug on them to tighten the knot.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Gently tug on the loops to even them out. Once you are happy with their placement, clamp the knot between a flat iron. This will help set the knot and smooth it out. Finish off with a light misting of hairspray. [5]
    10. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making a Celtic Braid Headband

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-10.jpg\/aid8583017-v4-728px-Do-a-Celtic-Knot-Braid-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Grab a thick section of hair from your hair line. Divide that section into four smaller strands. For the sake of this tutorial, think of them as strands: A, B, C, and D.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Take strand A. Cross it over strand B, then under strand C. Finally, bring it over strand D. You are working from right to left. [6]
    • For the rest of this tutorial, you will be weaving the middle two strands, and ignoring the other two strands.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Now, you are working from left to right. Ignoring strand A, weave strand D over strand C and under strand B. [7]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Ignore strand D. Take strand B. Weave it under strand C and over strand A on the far left side. [8]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Always ignore the first and last strands on the far left and right. Weave them over and under across the other strands, like a basket, until you reach the bottom. [9] Keep braiding until the braid is the length you want.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    Use a thin hair tie that matches your hair color, or a clear one.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Do a Celtic Knot Braid
    For a simple look, let dangle down the length of your hair. You can also tuck it behind your ear and secure it with a bobby pin. Here are some other styling ideas:
    • Make a second braid on the other side of your head. Bring both braids around to the back of your head. Secure them with bobby pins, then cover them with strands of hair. [10]
    • Make a second braid on the other side of your head. Gather all of your hair into a low bun at the nap of your head. [11]
    • Fluff up the braid for a fuller look. Grab the bottom of the braid with one hand, and the elastic with the other. Slide the elastic upwards, then gently tug on the outer strands on the braid. [12]
    8. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What makes it Celtic?
    Community Answer
    The knot is often depicted in ancient Celtic artworks, like carvings and jewelry, but maybe most famously as ornaments in Irish Bibles later on.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
  • Question
    Is there an easier way to do this?
    Community Answer
    You could cry the headband method on another person first. Four-strand braids take a while to get the hang of, but you will get it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Use water, wax, or pomade to smooth down fly-aways as you work. [13]
        Thanks
      • When doing a basic Celtic knot braid, consider braiding the left and right strands first. [14]
        Thanks
      • When doing a Celtic knot braid, you could thicker strands and position them at the nape of your neck for a low Celtic knot ponytail. [15]
        Thanks
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Making a Basic Celtic Braid

      • Duck bill clip (or similar)
      • Bobby pin (optional)

      Making a Celtic Braid Headband

      • Mini hair tie or clear hair elastic
      • Bobby pin (optional)


      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make a Dutch Braid
      How to Make a Fishtail Braid: A Step-By-Step Tutorial
      A Complete Guide to French Braiding Hair
      10 Easy Ways to Braid Your Hair
      How to Braid Your Own Cornrows
      How to
      Tie a Braid to a Mono
      Learn How to Create, Style, and Care for Your Own Box Braids
      How to Braid Your Hair: The Easiest Braids for Beginners
      How to
      Do a Basic Hair Braid
      How to
      Do Double French Braids
      How to
      Braid Short Hair for Men
      How to
      Do Viking Braids
      How to
      Do Two French Braids
      How to
      Wash Braids
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/hairstyles/holiday/st-patricks-day-hairstyles/3-ways-to-wear-a-celtic-knot-st-patricks-day-hairstyles/
      2. ↑ http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/hairstyles/holiday/st-patricks-day-hairstyles/3-ways-to-wear-a-celtic-knot-st-patricks-day-hairstyles/
      3. ↑ http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/hairstyles/holiday/st-patricks-day-hairstyles/3-ways-to-wear-a-celtic-knot-st-patricks-day-hairstyles/
      4. ↑ http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/hairstyles/holiday/st-patricks-day-hairstyles/3-ways-to-wear-a-celtic-knot-st-patricks-day-hairstyles/
      5. ↑ http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/hairstyles/holiday/st-patricks-day-hairstyles/3-ways-to-wear-a-celtic-knot-st-patricks-day-hairstyles/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiWnytY7s0
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiWnytY7s0
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiWnytY7s0
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiWnytY7s0
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9nBD2SF6Bw
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9nBD2SF6Bw
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UiWnytY7s0
      4. ↑ http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/hairstyles/holiday/st-patricks-day-hairstyles/3-ways-to-wear-a-celtic-knot-st-patricks-day-hairstyles/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro6k2GRDVa8
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5FDTX-JGlA

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 75,246 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        May 19, 2017

        "The video was amazing. "
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement