Hand Knotted Rugs: Experience the Pinnacle of Rug Craftsmanship

Hand-knotted carpets are traditionally made by nomads and farmers, today also made in small studios and manufactories. When knotting, warp threads are first stretched on a knotting loom, into which the weft is woven crosswise.

This creates a base fabric into which the pile thread is now woven - knot by knot. Each completed weave is then secured in place with a metal comb. The finer the pile thread and the higher the knot density, the more valuable the carpet. Over the centuries, different types of knotting and knot shapes have evolved. Each region of origin also has its own patterns, colors, and materials.

What Are Hand-Knotted Rugs?

Hand-knotted rugs, also known as oriental or Persian rugs, are area rugs made using intricate designs. Historically made by farmers and nomads, ateliers and manufacturing companies have now embraced this special method of making rugs.

How Are Hand-Knotted Rugs Made?

Hand-knotted rugs are made from natural materials like silk, cotton, and wool using the hand-knotting technic. This method involved weaving warp threads on a special loom by hand. This process requires a high level of skill and takes a lot of time. Even though this is a tedious process, the result is more than worth it. In the beginning, the warp threads are stretched on the knotting loom, and then the weft is woven crosswise. Every completed weave is then secured in place using a metal comb. A finer pile thread combined with a higher knot density produces a high-quality rug.

Due to the materials used in making hand-knotted rugs, these rugs have less texture and a flatter pile. Hand-knotting technics vary depending on the region since various regions have developed unique knot shapes and knotting types. Materials, patterns, and colors also vary from one region to another. If you are looking to get a hand-knotted rug, perhaps you should know some of the factors to look out for. Below are features that will help you identify a hand-knotted rug.

Hand-Knotted Rugs Vs Other Rugs

The Rug’s Underside

A hand-knotted rug does not have a front and a backside. This is because both sides of the rug are good-looking. You can simply flip over your hand-knotted rug and use it without any problem. Unlike other types of rugs such as machine-made rugs where the backs feature a latex coating, a hand-knotted rug’s front and back sides can be used interchangeably. Thus, the easiest way to tell whether a rug is hand-knotted or not is by flipping it over.

The durability of the Rug

Hand-knotted rugs feature fibers that are held tightly in place by tightly woven knots thereby making them most durable compared to other types of rugs. Unlike machine-made or hand-tufted rugs which have tufts that are prone to be pulled from the rug’s foundation over time, hand-knotted rugs have high-quality knots that hardly come apart. In addition, hand-knotted rugs are made using the best quality materials like wool or a wool and silk blend.

The Fringe

In other rugs such as machine-made rugs, the fringe of the rug is always sewn on the rug at the end of the process. On the contrary, the fringe on hand-knotted rugs the fringe is naturally formed during the process of making the rug since each knot is tied to a warp thread that becomes the fringe. Thus, if the fringe appears sewn on and is not natural according to the rug’s design, then the rug is not hand-knotted.

Hand-knotted rugs are one of the best ways to show your love for artistic and unique handmade creations. If you love unique and beautiful handmade art, you are going to appreciate hand-knotted rugs.