A hand loom (photo: Tomasz G. Sienicki)
For a traditional wool carpet, the fiber is washed, sun-dried, and carded multiple times to assure straight and even fibers, then spun into the yarn that will be used for weaving. The loom is a vertically-oriented rectangular structure with a sequence of parallel cotton cords that make the warp – the initial skeleton of the rug.
A horizontal metal rod is positioned across the warp, and yarn is looped over the rod and onto the warp to make a “pile,” the single stitch that forms the depth of the rug. Then, a double knot is made, and a cotton weft is pulled across to separate the pile. The pile is compacted, combed and condensed to ensure a plush, dense fabric.
The knot is slit with a sharp blade across the metal rod. The rug is gradually formed using this process for every row. Because of this extraordinary technique, vivid colors and remarkable depth of field are possible.
Swatches of Carpet Pile
“Knot count” refers to the number of knots per square inch of the pile. By using finer materials and more tightly woven fibers, the knot count increases and so does the effort needed to create the rug. Just as fine sheets have a higher thread count, this results in a more expensive, but truly exceptional rug with a finely articulated design and a more delicate texture. Knot count is currently available in 60, 80, and 100.
When the design is complete, the rug is removed from the loom and trimmed for uniformity. After being inspected by the master weaver, it is washed, dried in the sun and stretched for maximum body consistency.
July 2, 2009 at 12:13 am
[...] Once the carpet yarn is ready, we begin the Tibetan knotting process on vertical looms. Based on your design we will recommend the best knot count to bring out the best in your design. Counted per square inch, a higher knot density ensures that finer designs with curves are rendered true to the intended concept image. Depending on complexity and dimensions, these handmade creations may take several weeks to be completed. For more information on Tibetan carpet weaving, visit the construction page. [...]