Have you ever wondered how those lovely rugs that adorn our homes are made? Did you know that weaving a single hand knotted rug can take months or even years? !! Rug weaving is an age-old craft that's all about turning threads into fantastic creations, and you should know that creating each piece requires an immense amount of work. From collecting the right materials to the final masterpiece, here you'll discover the secrets behind these wonderful additions to our homes. So, grab your curiosity, and let's dive into the world of rug weaving!
The Elemental Choice of Materials:
When it comes to making hand-knotted rugs, weavers have a special toolbox of materials. They start with soft and supple threads like wool, smooth silk, or sturdy cotton. Each type of thread brings its own special qualities to the rug. Wool makes rugs warm and inviting, silk adds a touch of luxury and shines, while cotton gives a strong and durable foundation. It's like picking colors for a painting; these materials help create the texture and feel of the rug and bring different functionalities to it. Take, for example, the weavers of the Qashqai tribe in southern Iran. They make the threads from wool collected from their herds, and aside from beauty, what they value in a rug is the warmth and comfort it provides throughout the winter months. As a result, all of this tribe's rugs are made of wool.
So, whether it's the warmth of wool, the elegance of silk, or the strength of cotton, these threads are the magic behind every hand-knotted rug's unique character. However, when it comes to preparing and picking threads, color selections can play a role. There are two typical methods for dyeing threads: natural ingredients and synthetic materials, which has a substantial part in determining the identity of the rug. Natural colors are often obtained from plants; therefore, each location has its own color variation based on their habitat, and the usage of distinct color tones may indicate which region the rug belongs to. In terms of industrial colors, any tone can be created and used for coloring the threads.
Casting the Foundation on the Loom:
The next step in weaving rugs is to set up the loom and construct the rug's foundation.
A loom is a device that is generally used to weave fabric and tapestries. The main function of any loom is to keep the warp threads tight in order to allow the weaving of the weft threads. In this regard, the vertical and horizontal looms are the most common types of looms used in rug weaving, each with its own variations and benefits.
Since the vertical loom stands vertically, it is much more comfortable to tie the knots to weave the weft; also, the upright foundation of a vertical loom is stronger, making it more ideal for weaving large heavy rugs. A horizontal loom, on the other hand, is far more easier to transport. As a result, tribal rugs are generally woven on horizontal looms, which can also be effortlessly set up and disassembled. Rugs made on horizontal looms are often small and of lower weave quality than rugs made on an established standing loom.
The Dance of Design and Pattern:
The designs and patterns of the rugs reveal stories of the weavers who create them and the cultures to which they belong.
Consider Persian rugs, that often employ floral motifs, elaborate medallions, and Persian knots to create such detailed designs. Turkish rugs are known for their geometric patterns and brilliant colors. Tribal carpets, on the other hand, such as those made by nomadic people, often have improvised designs inspired by their surroundings, with weavers combining elements such as animals, nature, and daily life into their rugs.
Any of these designs and patterns must be translated to the rug through woven knots, either straight from the mind or with a pattern drawn on paper or transferred on a cartoon. Cartoon is a full-size paper drawing that is squared, with each square representing one knot of a particular color. The weaver places this on the loom and directly transfers the design to the rug. This method is used to create very elaborated designs as well as as a master pattern for the creation of several rugs.
The Craftsmanship of Weaving:
The weaving process begins once the material is chosen and ready, the loom is set up, and the pattern is thought of or elaborated. There are many weaving techniques used in different regions which impact the overall quality and appearance of the rugs.
Persian rugs are often woven using what's called the "Senneh" or "Persian" knot. It involves looping the yarn around two warp threads and then pulling it through. This technique allows for intricate, detailed patterns and is known for its durability.
On the other hand turkish rugs are typically woven using the "Ghiordes" or "Turkish" knot. This knot involves looping the yarn around two warp threads, but it is pulled between them instead of through them. This results in a more pronounced pile, giving Turkish rugs a distinct texture and often bold geometric patterns. They are known for their robustness.
There also exist other techniques referred as knotless weaving technique. Instead of knots, weavers pass the weft threads between the warp threads, creating a flat-weave surface. These rugs are prized for their simplicity and often feature abstract, tribal-inspired designs. They are lightweight and versatile.
There is a global metric for measuring rug excellence, which is the number of knots per unit area, that is directly proportional to carpet quality. Of course this number can vary depending on the thread material employed. For example, if fine silk threads are used, as in a Persian silk rug, the knots can be exceedingly tiny resulting in a highly detailed and luxurious rug that can take years to weave. In contrast, rugs made with coarser wool threads, may have larger knots that are nonetheless visually pleasing but lack the intricate detail of silk rugs. In essence, rug weaving techniques are an art form in themselves, with each region's methods presenting distinct characteristics.
The Final Flourish:
Once the last thread is weaved, the rug is taken out of the loom and the excess warp threads that extend beyond the rug's edges are trimmed away, leaving behind a clean and uniform appearance. This process requires a steady hand and an eye for perfection as it's when the patterns stand out and the long voyage of effort is completed.
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