Rugs are made using various techniques, resulting in differences in quality and price. They can be produced by hand or machine. The traditional rug-making methods are weaving and knotting.
Woven Rugs
Woven rugs have a smooth weave. The cotton or linen warp is completely covered by the wool weft. The threads lie flat and form no pile. Traditional handlooms have evolved over the centuries into today’s industrial weaving machines.
Tufting Process
The tufting process is widely used today. Rugs are made in a method similar to sewing. In hand-tufting, a single needle is used, while machines use multiple needles simultaneously. This process is fast, making tufted rugs more affordable.
Knotting Technique
Rugs with a plush pile are made using this technique. Threads are knotted onto the warp and secured with weft threads at the end of each knot row. After weaving, the pile is trimmed evenly. The value of the rug increases with the number of knots per square meter, with some high-end pieces featuring up to one million knots per square meter.
Hand-Knotted
Traditionally made by nomads and rural communities, hand-knotted rugs are now also produced in small workshops and ateliers. Warp threads are stretched onto a loom, and the weft is woven in between. The pile thread is knotted in by hand, creating the rug structure. A metal comb is then used to tighten the weave. The rug's value is determined by pile fineness and knot density. Various knotting techniques and styles have evolved over time, with each region developing its own patterns, colors, and materials.
Hand-Woven
Hand-woven rugs are traditionally crafted on manual looms and feature a flat weave that is reversible. Cotton or linen warps are stretched onto the loom, and wool weft is inserted using a shuttle. The thickness of the wool and the number of warp threads influence the rug’s texture. Compared to high-pile rugs, hand-woven rugs are pleasantly lightweight. They may be solid-colored or patterned, often depicting plants, animals, symbols, and signs that convey happiness and well-being.
Patchwork
Patchwork or vintage rugs are artistically crafted from parts of old, sometimes antique, Persian rugs. These pieces are hand-selected, cut, and sewn together. Special zigzag stitching and an added backing ensure durability and stability. Before use, each rug is thoroughly cleaned. Colored vintage rugs are neutralized and re-dyed to create a modern aesthetic. Each patchwork rug is one of a kind. The English term 'vintage' refers to something classic, timeless, and exquisite.
Hand-Tufted
Hand-tufting is a semi-manual process used to create high-quality pile rugs. Instead of knotting, a special 'tufting gun' is used to shoot yarn through a stretched backing fabric. Once tufted, the back is glued and the pile is sheared flat or sculpted. Hand-tufted rugs are durable, high-quality, and relatively affordable. The technique allows for limitless design possibilities.
