Hand knotted takes 10 times longer than tufted

Oriental rugs have long been viewed as prized possessions and valuable heirlooms.  What are the exact qualities that have enabled them to maintain their reputation and desirability through the years? It is as simple as this: the manner in which they are constructed matters immensely. The quality of the materials used is also no small matter.

Every rug starts with a basic foundation of warp and weft threads. The warp threads are stretched length-wise first and then the weft threads are woven perpendicular to the warp.  With fabrics and some rugs, the weft itself makes the pattern of the piece. But with hand-knotted rugs, the warp and weft make up a grid that the pile, the visible yarn tufts, can be attached to.

“Hand-tufted” usually refers to rugs where the yarns have been attached to a canvas foundation using a tufting gun to punch strands of wool through and trim the ends to a uniform height. Then glue is used to secure the wool to the foundation and the back is covered with another layer of canvas to give it a finished look. These rugs may have an oriental design, but they are not constructed in true oriental fashion.

This photo shows the back of the two different methods of attaching the yarn.

“Hand-knotted” is the technique that has been used for centuries to create these durable and beautiful rugs. The strands of wool yarn are all first tightly tied to the wool or cotton foundation by hand, and then they are carefully trimmed by hand. This way of knotting ensures that the rug will not fall apart with age; in fact, it will become stronger as the knots tighten with the movement and use of the rug.  Each rug made in this fashion will also have minor inconsistencies in symmetry or fringe binding that make them the unique pieces of art they are rightly regarded as.

The wool used in these rugs is also a major factor as it comes from the local sheep that have been grazed in lands where their diet naturally produces high amounts of lanolin in their coats. It is this lanolin that gives the wool its ability to repel dirt and stains as well as produce vibrant colors when dyed and retain its luster and shine.

The time that the craftsmanship of the knotting process takes is also a significant factor in the value of a rug.  Hand-tufted rugs can be produced much more quickly as they are much less labor intensive than hand-knotted rugs. It can take up to two years for the intricate pattern of an eight-foot by ten-foot rug to be completed.  

   

When you invest in a genuine hand-knotted Persian rug, you can be assured that you are contributing to an enduring trade and a rich tradition based on high standards of quality.  These beautiful, functional, and durable pieces of art continue to be distinctive possessions and it is our hope we can help you find a rug that will serve you with satisfaction for years to come.