Tag: Handmade Area Rugs

The Essence: Rug Knots

Posted on by D F

 

Before we think about technology and machinery, coloring and design, hand skill and passed-on knowledge, there is one single, elemental component to rug weaving: the knot. Rug knot is such a simple concept that one might overlook its central position in rug structure, look and durability.

nomad or a village hand-woven rug
Nomadic Loom.  –  Village / workshop Loom.  ©1800getarug.com

 

There are two ways a rug knot is defined: density and type. When choosing a nomad or a village hand-woven rug, one might not consider the density of the knot a major factor. These traditional articles are made either within a season – and therefore fast – or with simple looms, and usually contain about 25-100 knots per square inch. Other factors are at play here: originality of the individual artist’s design (from memory), natural local dyes, manual labor, and plenty of love.

Sun Baked Orange, Serapi Heriz with Large Medallion Design, Vegetable Dyes, Hand Knotted, Aryana Grade, High Mountain Wool, Soft Pile, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug
Close-up of a Kazak rug. Notice the rather closely woven rug knots. ©1800getarug.com

 

The workshop hand-made rugs, however, are woven on a much more sophisticated machinery. Precision is therefore a major factor- on par with design and authenticity. The knot density ranges between 100-1000 knots per square inch. If you consider that each knot takes about 10 seconds to complete, it is astounding how long finishing a large enough rug may take, keeping in mind a rather high knot density.

Terracotta Antique Persian Mahal Good Condition with Some Wear Clean Hand Knotted Oriental Rug
This Handcrafted Antique Persian , is an original Pure Wool oriental rug. ©1800getarug.com

 

The other way of thinking of a rug knot is its method, with two predominant ones being symmetrical and asymmetrical. Popular in most of Iran, India, Egypt, China, and parts of Turkey, the asymmetrical, or Persian Senneh, have their knot loops tied around two warps and come up on the same sides to make the rug tufts. The Turkish Ghiordes knot (the symmetrical one) goes around two warp threads on opposite sides and comes up in the middle. The most commonly used knots are slight variations on the Persian one. The Tibetan knot is perhaps the most interesting one, wrapping around warps in a complex fashion and reminiscent of Indic script.

Fire Whirl Red, Antique Persian Heriz, Good Condition, Clean, Sides and Ends Professionally Secured, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
An Illustration of a Persian Knot. ©1800getarug.com

 

The study of rug knots is not necessarily complex, but it certainly is full of grace and style, which is necessary for understanding the structure, design, and feel of these wonderful hand-woven rugs that we cherish throughout our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evolution of The Loom

Posted on by D F

 

From the most basic designs to sophisticated machinery, the venerable loom is at the heart of rug making and is a key invention that heralded each of the eras of human technical advances, bringing people together.

Another Look the Classic Loom. At the Handloom and Crafts Museum in Delhi
Take. At the Handloom and Crafts Museum in Delhi. © 1800getarug.com 

 

While it may look a bit intimidating, the loom is a rather simple construction, at its core. An interlocking structure of moving wooden beam frames is strung tightly together by yarn (warp) to create the rug foundation while a second yarn (weft) is passed through perpendicularly to hold the rug together. The pile yarn would then be woven into the rug base to create the visual patterns and texture of hand-woven carpets.

Another Look the Classic Loom. At the Handloom and Crafts Museum in Delhi.
Another Look the Classic Loom. At the Handloom and Crafts Museum in Delhi by ajay surya. © 1800getarug.com 

 

 

The process of weaving is traced back to the Neolithic age when its invention helped herald the agricultural revolution by both utilizing the newly mastered control over crops and techniques of extracting yarn from wool, and by helping make a home. Regular settlements and the nomads could use comfortable and beautiful rugs on their floors and walls, warming their abodes both literally and figuratively. Many rituals evolved to include rugs in them ever since.

 

A Modern Simple Loom at Our Rug Facility in Jaipur.
A Modern Simple Loom at Our Rug Facility in Jaipur. © 1800getarug.com 

 

For all these millennia and all this prehistoric art, the basic loin loom was utilized, until later advances in the Middle Ages. The weavers used a very simple construction and their own body tension needed to make a rug for a perfect purpose. Later evolutions of the loom included stationary, heavier looms where separate heddles could be lifted to create complex designs, administered by a second weaver if the rug is too big. In 1773, a British weaver John Kay invented the flying shuttle, which could be flung across and around the loom, eliminating the need for the second person.

John Kay invented the flying shuttle
 John Kay invented the flying shuttle. © 1800getarug.com 

 

By twentieth century the looms became fully mechanized and powered electrically. This final stage has dramatically reduced the labor and increased production. That being said, the automated looms will of course never achieve the artistry, attention, and skill of experienced master weaver hands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The simple beauty of Kilim Flatweave rugs

Posted on by D F

 

Sometimes things can be uncomplicated, sometimes they can be understated. Sometimes the beauty comes from the simplicity of the design and execution. Look no further than Kilim hand-woven rugs, classic flatweave carpets known for their unique contained look and versatility.

Medium Gray, Flat Weave, American Indian Southwest Geometric Design, Hand Woven, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug
This handcrafted American Indian Southwest Geometric Design is an authentic Pure Wool oriental rug. © 1800getarug.com

 

One of the most consistent technique to go back centuries, Kilim rugs were most likely first used by nomadic peoples of Middle East and Central Asia. The earliest examples were found around Khotan, present day Xinjiang, China, one of the centers of trade along the Silk Roads, and go back centuries. The name is derived from Turkish “gelim”, which means, “to spread” (as in, to spread a rug). Its pure geometrical designs are believed to have mystical, inspirational powers.

Bone White, Afghan Kilim with All Over Colorful Geometric Pattern, 100% Wool, Natural Dyes, Flat Weave, Hand Woven, Reversible, Oriental Rug
This handcrafted Afghan Kilim is an original Pure Wool oriental rug. © 1800getarug.com

 

To us, the most fascinating thing about the hand-woven Kilim rugs is the unique weaving technique, called slit weave. These rugs don’t have a pile, and are created by simply weaving the woolen wefts and the cotton or wool warps (thread ratio is 16 of weft, 14 of warp). Two different-colored weft blocks are tightly packed into the warp by a special comb and returned to original side once they reach each other, leaving a slight “gap” in between – the slit! This is the origin of the traditional Kilim motif: diagonal and horizontal lines, a pattern designed for durability.

Coconut Brown, Hand Woven, Flat Weave, American Indian Southwest Geometric Design, 100% Wool, Oriental Rug
This handcrafted American Indian Southwest Geometric Design is an authentic Pure Wool oriental rug.© 1800getarug.com

 

While the traditional colors for these magical Kilim hand-woven rugs are blue, green, red, and yellow, the modern take on the carpets includes a variety of dyes and designs. Still these works of art are as versatile and affordable as they were centuries ago: they are easy to spread or fold, don’t crease; are great at being a centerpiece decoration, hanging on a wall or serving as a door step rug, or for saddling your mule, if the occasion truly calls for it!

Peach Color, Flat Weave, American Indian Southwest Geometric Design, 100% Wool, Hand Woven, Oriental Rug
This handcrafted American Indian Southwest Geometric Design is an authentic Pure Wool oriental rug. © 1800getarug.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are Peshawar Hand-Woven rugs?

Posted on by D F

 

Looking into our rugs is sometimes like looking into the depths of history. The Peshawar rugs take us to one of the greatest depths. One of the epicenters of the great Silk Roads, the city of Peshawar was, quite literally on the map since the 5th century B.C. From the ancient Persians and the Hellenistic descendants of Alexander the Great, to the medieval Mongols and finally the Muslim empires. Peshawar commanded authority throughout the region, housing millions of citizens and invariably creating and absorbing culture for centuries. Some may argue the Mughal era of rule over the region was one of the most successful in last few centuries and has inspired some of the most fascinating and impressive works of art.

Beige, Afghan Peshawar with All Over Mahal Design, Clean, Full Pile, Long and Narrow, 100% Wool, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug
This handcrafted Afghan Peshawar is an authentic Wool oriental rug. ©1800getarug.com

 

Perhaps the best time capsule of this Mughal artistry is the hand-woven Peshawar rug, whose designs evolved through the centuries but with mastery that never dwindled. In the 16th century, emperor Akbar had ordered the construction of rug weaving workshops and fostered the knowledge exchange with the Persian artisans to reinforce the local style. In the 20th, after the crumbling of British colonialism the existing industry simply needed a push from the newly independent government to survive and to flourish.

Chiffon White, Sparrows on the Tree, Peshawar, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Soft to the Touch, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug
Chiffon White, Sparrows on the Tree, Peshawar, High Mountain Wool, Hand Knotted, Soft to the Touch, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug  ©1800getarug.com

 

Traditional Peshawar rugs are always hand-woven, and feature a pure high mountain hand-spun wool pile, although sometimes, in select rugs, fine merino wool is blended in – that makes the rugs look slicker. Occasionally silk is woven in as well, especially if the artist wants to highlight a motif. The weft and warp are cotton, for the strongest support. The resulting rugs are durable and reliable, but are luxurious and extremely soft to the touch.

Rust Orange, Afghan Peshawar with Heriz All Over Design, Hand Knotted, Soft 100% Wool, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug
This handcrafted Heriz All Over Design is an original Pure Wool oriental rug. ©1800getarug.com

 

The design of the rugs, as chronicled in history, is heavily influenced by ancient Persian rug motifs. The colors, usually light and earthy and derived from sun-dried vegetable dyes, give the rugs its characteristic antique and washed-out look. But whether they are stonewashed and have their piles cut shorter, or the modernist take will have the colors pop, you are sure to be mesmerized by the deep richness and artistry that are the Peshawar rugs.

Maya Blue, Afghan Peshawar with Heriz All Over Design, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug
This handcrafted Heriz All Over Design is an original Pure Wool oriental rug. © 1800getarug.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Secret Language of Area Rugs

Posted on by D F

To the untrained shopper, one area rug is like all of the rest. But there is actually a lot to area rugs that the average consumer doesn’t realize. Like, for instance, that there is virtually an area rug glossary, full of terms used to describe the intricacies of the beautiful carpets. Really! There are so many terms describing the aspects of area rugs, and here are a few that you probably don’t already know:

-Abrash: A change or variation in the color of a rug die to the difference in the wool or dye bath. The effect is subtle shading differences, and in older and antique rugs, abrash occurs naturally as a part of the aging process. In new rugs that are designed to look vintage, the abrash effect is created by changing the color of the yarns.

-Overtuft: This term refers to the tufting process done by hand or mechanically in which an already tufted rug has another yarn system tufted through the back of the fabric to develop a pattern on the surface.

-Hand: Tactile qualities of a fabric that includes softness, stiffness, texture, etc.

More Area Rugs Terms

Posted on by D F

Taking with last week’s theme of area rugs terminology, we’ve found a few more interesting terms specifically regarding the materials and fibers used in the construction of area rugs. By educating yourself on the intricacies of area rugs, you can be a more aware consumer, and end up purchasing the perfect rugs.

Acrylic: This is a man-made fiber with a wool-like appearance. It doesn’t dye as well as nylon, and is said to be slightly less durable.

BCF: This stands for bulked continuous filament. Filament yarns are processed by mechanical methods to fluff them out before the weaving process commences.

Continuous Filament: This refers to nylon or polypropelene yarn made in one long strand that can be woven without further processing.

Polypropelene: synthetic fiber that gets a pigment added to it. It is used specifically in machine made rugs.

Polyester: This synthetic fiber is most often used in staple spun yarns.

Solution Dyed: This way of dying synthetic fiber is special because the pigment is added to the polypropelene/nylon chip before it’s extruded as a filament yarn.

Worsted: Refers to an extra step in wool processing that combs out shorter fibers. It produces durable and lustrous yarns.

Space Dyed: Yarn colored in sections of different colors before being tufted or woven into a rug.

Area Rugs Made With Care

Posted on by D F

So much of what we have in our homes is mass produced. Our furniture and appliances, the food many of us eat, our reading materials and clothing, it has all been made in huge factories by machines. It seems like our society just doesn’t have room for hand crafted goods anymore. Sad to think about all of the work that used to be done by hand just disappearing. All those years of humans developing skillful ways to craft tools, furniture, clothing, could be lost to time.

All this advancement makes the easy availability of handknotted area rugs all the more special and surprising. Crafting gorgeous Persian rugs from hand is tradition and it is an art form but it is also super easy to take home.  Handcrafted rugs are available at most online rug shops. In fact our friends over at 1 800 Get A Rug have a  fantastic selection.

I love to stand on my hand knotted rugs and think about the life of the people who made them. I consider what it was like developing the skills required to knot an area rug that can fill up a dinning room. I wonder where they learned and if knotting rugs is a family tradition. I wonder if I could do that.

Online Rug Shopping

Posted on by D F

I used to hate going to stores and shopping around for big purchases. Especially when those big purchases involved my home design and furnishing. It was impossible to make decisions about those things without making a hundred trips to dozens of different places first. Now I can scan around the internet for whatever I want. What a relief.

I was feeling particularly relieved of shopping duty recently when my girlfriend suggested we get a handknotted area rug for the dinning room. I had never bought a rug before and she seemed so confident in herself. On the internet I was able to bone up on what makes an outstanding area rug as well as shop for one.

There was a time where online rug shopping would have seem like a crazy thing to do. The processes now for receiving and when necessary returning large items ordered on the internet is now so easy though that a major purchase like this can go off with out a hitch. I wouldn’t question the decision to furnish a whole house on the internet, so an area rug is hardly a big deal at all.

After a few hours my girlfriend and I found the perfect one. It looks amazing in our dinning room now and I didn’t have to ride the escalator at Macy’s to get it.

The Ideal Rooms For Area Rugs

Posted on by D F

You know us here at this blog. We love area rugs. Honestly we would put area rugs anywhere. What room is the best for area rugs? Duh, every room! We would throw a few handknotted area rugs in the back yard if it was up to us. Bottom of the pool? Why not?!

Obviously all of that would be insane for people less obsessed with hand knotted rugs than we are. There are certain rooms though that benefit exponentially from the presence of an area rug. The dining room for example. Placing an area rug with the dining room table in the center can be a great way to tie a room together. It creates an awesome pattern that feels very comfy.

Bedrooms also have perfect spaces for area rugs. A smaller one for example in the space not occupied by your essential bedroom furniture(bed, dresser, etc.) is a great way to avoid walking on cold wood floors when running from the bed to the dresser. It can also really make a hallway more hospitable for bare feet.

There are rooms that are simply made for area rugs and then there are those in which you have to get creative. Why not start by slipping an area rug into one of these rooms, we’ll try and convince you of the pool one at a later date.

Wrapping Yourself In Area Rugs

Posted on by D F

I remember when I was a small boy I had a green area rug in my bedroom. When my parents weren’t around I would sometimes find myself rolling inside of it like a taquito, an egg roll, or a canoli depending on your appetite. I was shocked by how comfortable it was in there. Honestly I could have stayed nestled in those soft hand knotted area rugs for days, alas Mom didn’t like this idea. Still I have never had trouble appreciating how cozy an area rug can feel under my bare feet. It is truly like walking on sunshine.

My comfort in rooms with area rugs is noteworthy. I feel so much better knowing they are there. Honestly the sound of clomping feet on hard wood get’s me really anxious and tense. Hand knotted area rugs can really make a guy feel at home. For me, it all stems from those long hours in my own bedroom. Snug as a bug, literally in a rug, that was me. I would go back there in an instant if I could. Things were so much simpler when I could just wrap myself in a rug and space out for a few hours. Now I just stand admiring my area rugs to get peace of mind.