Hand Knotted Carpets

Hand knotted carpets are created by stretching a series of warp threads vertically on a loom, and then painstakingly knotting each pile to the warp, creating a design in the process. When a row of knots is completed, the weft thread is inserted. It takes about 2 months for and skilful craftsman to finish a carpet of about 6 ft x 10 ft.

The craft of hand knotted carpets was initially developed by nomads, who used the wool from goats and sheep. The introduction of silk yarn led to an increase in the intricacy, colour choices, lustre and the richness of this style of carpet.

The quality of such as carpet is judged by its density; the higher the number of knots per square inch, the better the quality; for example, a high quality knotted rug may have 350 to 1,000 knots per square inch. Not only do dense carpets have finer and more detailed patterns, but they are more durable.

Weavers of traditional hand-knotted rugs often add in a deliberate 'mistake' to guarantee their authenticity.