How To understand hand-woven carpet?

Though consumers prefer machine-made carpets/rugs, considering longevity and sturdiness, handmade rugs are the ultimate choice. Read here to get an idea about hand-woven carpets and how to look for one.

The Weaving Technique

Woven on the loom, the hand-woven rugs and carpets take 1 to a maximum of 4 people to weave them. The number however varies based on rug size. The rugs are put through various tests to make sure that they are strong and provide the needed safety measures.  Persian knots calculated with specific knot density take additional time to weave. 

Hand weaving is creating woven cloth pieces by hand using different weaving techniques. Weaving produces an interlocking system of two yarns, which are perpendicular to each other. This is contrasted with knotting and looping techniques that bring out fabric from a single yarn. 

Types of Handmade Rugs

Since the handmade rugs are made by hand on a specially structured handloom, the artisan sets the loom depending on the requirement of the rug size. The three types of handmade rugs are

Hand-Knotted Rugs

Hand-knotting is a traditional craft technique that helps make intricately elegant rugs. These rugs are produced with intense labor and consume a lot of time. The knots are made by the artisan manually whereas the size of the rug is based on that of the loom. All typical handmade oriental rugs and carpets are usually woven this way. Producers use different fibers like cotton, jute, wool, and other natural fibers in their production. These kinds of rugs are generally soft, flexible, durable, and relatively expensive.

One of the basic ways to find a hand-knotted rug is to turn it over. A hand-knotted rug will lack a back. The design will be exactly the same on both sides making it look good from both sides. A hand-knotted rug will mostly have fringes as the binding is not there. 

Hand-Tufted Rugs

Hand-tufted rugs are made using both hands and a machine.  After piling with wool, the rug is separated from the frame. A hand-tufted rug has a base to hold the tufts together. 

In this technique, a foundation or base is made using canvas and jute to begin to make the rugs. Using the right tool such as a gun or the drill, the pile is inserted into the jute foundation. Eventually, the piles are held in place with the help of glue and latex.  A hand-tufted rug is made by looping strands of wool into a canvas using a manually operated instrument. As it is neither time consuming or effort intensive, they are not as highly priced as the hand-knotted rugs. They however do last long. 

Handwoven Rugs

As the name goes, handwoven rugs are created manually. These do not have any pile, knots, or tuft. Some of the hand woven rugs are Soumak, Dhurrie, and Kilim. They are usually soft, flexible, attractive, and long lasting, and advised to place them on a rug pad to keep them in position

What to Know When Purchasing a Hand-Knotted Carpet

       -  Hand-knotted rugs take time to create
       -  Hand-knotted rugs are unique and single pieces
       -  Hand-knotted rugs are made from various ingredients.
       -  Know that hand-knotted rugs crease in time
       -  Hand-knotted rugs are are not the same as hand-tufted rugs in the way they are created
       -  The knot counts determine the cost of a hand-knotted rug.
       -  Always consider the fringe
       -  A quality hand-knotted rug can be passed down generations.
       -  Know the right cost of a hand-knotted rug before buying
       -  Pick the right rug style for you
       -  Consider antique rugs first
       -  Hand-knotted rugs can start to smell with frequent usage
       -  Rotate your hand-knotted rug.  

Kinds of Handmade Rugs

Handmade area rugs are categorized into 2 types 

Handmade Persian Rugs

Handmade Persian rugs are hand-knotted ones produced in Iran. Old Persian methodology is used to create deep patterns with detailed accuracy. The high quality makes them a valuable investment. Handmade Persian carpets with loop piles make for beautiful wall carpets as well, not just the floor. Silk rugs with a row of knots can be proudly displayed in your bedroom or the guest room. 

Maintaining a Hand-Woven Carpet

       -  Ensure cleanliness. 
       -  Clean with water mixed with mild detergent
       -  Avoid long soaking. Put it out to dry immediately
       -  Do not pull the loose ends if there are any 
       -  Avoid direct sunlight for long to retain the color 

How to Understand Whether a Rug is Handmade or Machine-made

Rugs can be made by either artisans with their bare hands or by a machine.  Oriental rugs may wear out with time. On the other hand, handmade rugs can be more expensive. It produces pieces where every detail and pattern is clear and visible. The fibers used are carefully and perfectly knitted, producing a higher quality product than their machine-made counterparts. The quality depends on the method of production as well as the quality of the materials. 

Machine-made rugs are produced in mass using large machines called ‘Power Looms’. The automatic and computer-controlled looms do not require manual effort. The rugs are produced in huge quantities with less time and wool or synthetic fiber. However, their value, quality, and durability are not commendable as compared to the hand-woven ones. Machine-made rugs are compact with beautiful designs and generally are inexpensive. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hand-woven Carpets

The advantages and disadvantages of handmade carpets should be considered by comparing both hand-woven and machine-made carpets and choosing the best option for yourself according to your personality and liking.

Advantages

       -  Raw materials used are natural
       -  Handmade rugs are an ideal investment
       -  Natural colors are used for handmade carpets
       -  It lasts longer

Disadvantages

Ideas to Differentiate Handmade Rugs from Machine-Made Rugs 

Here is a list of ideas that you can use for you to differentiate between a handmade rug and a machine-made rug when you purchase

       -  Flip the Rug

Turn the rug upside down to see which has been made by the machine and which has been handmade. The back of a handmade rug is uneven and is covered with knots. A machine-made rug usually has a smooth and uniform back. The knot density also makes a difference - be it single knot, double knot or false knot. 

       -  Have a glance at the fringe and white grid lines

Rugs made by machines consist of white lines as a result of the system. These lines are not present in a handmade rug, but they have fringes. The fringe of handmade Persian carpets or a wall carpet is usually a part of the twisted threads, while the machine-made rugs have their fringes automatically glued to them when produced. The fringe of a hand-knotted rug is not a part of the rug but it is an extension of the base. 

       -  Check the Material

Traditional handmade Persian or Oriental rugs are made from natural materials like wool, silk, cotton, fiber, etc. Rugs made by the machine are from synthetic fibers and wool. 

       -  Check the Price

Oriental and Persian handmade flat carpets are quite expensive due to their qualities like durability, quality, availability, and unique artistic designs. Machine-made area rugs are less expensive since they are produced in bulk and are easier to make. Look out for the density of knots and knot types to understand the cost of the carpet or silk rugs.  

       -  Look for differences in color shades

It can be noticed that handmade rugs are more likely to have lesser variations in color. This is because the method used is completely manual. The actual dyeing process is executed by hand as well. When wool is used that has been dyed in separate batches, results in a slight variation in the color. Rugs made by the machine have uniform colors as they are dyed in one shot. 

       -  Do not confuse hand-tufted with handmade

It is key to notice that hand-tufted rugs are not the same as handmade rugs, although they have similar looks and are both woven by hand. A sharper look will tell you that they differ in many ways. Hand-tufted rugs are easy to make and it is also low cost to recreate using a tufting gun which aids in bringing the yarn to the back to create the tuft. Eventually, they glue material to the back of the rug to hold the fibers together in place. 

Hand-tufted rugs and handmade rugs are alike in many ways, yet they differ a lot in materials used as well. Hand-knotted rugs are mostly produced using wool. Wool from the sheep is an anti-bacterial, renewable, and hypo-allergenic resource. Therefore, The process of rearing wool from sheep does not hurt them. Hand-knotted rugs woven from silk are elite and breathtaking However, as quality increases, it attracts additional costs. 

Who you are and how you wish your home decor speaks for you has a direct bearing on your choice of rugs. 

About hand-woven rugs

Hand-woven rugs are a type of floor covering that has been around for many eras. Unlike mass-produced rugs, which are made by machines, hand-woven rugs are created using a loom. The weaver passes the threads through the loom, creating the design of the rug. Hand-woven rugs can be made from a variety of materials, including wool, cotton, and silk. They can be simple or complex in design, and they can be used for a variety of purposes, from decorative to functional. Hand-woven rugs are often more expensive than mass-produced rugs, but they can also last for many years with proper care. When shopping for a hand-woven rug, it is important to consider the material, the design, and the intended purpose. With a variety of options at your disposal, there is sure to be a hand-woven rug that is perfect for any home.

Why prefer hand woven rugs to machine made rugs

The reasons to choose a hand woven rug over a machine made rug are many. Hand woven rugs are made with natural fibers, which are not only more durable but also more eco-friendly than synthetic fibers. In addition, the process of hand weaving creates a unique pattern that cannot be replicated by a machine. Each individual rug is unique like a fingerprint. Another advantage of hand woven rugs is that they can be custom made to any size or shape. So whether you need a rug for a small space or a large one, you can find a hand woven rug that will fit perfectly. Finally, hand woven rugs are often cheaper than machine made rugs, making them a great value for your money. 

Decorate your homes with the best hand-woven rugs

Handmade carpets and Persian carpets with vertical threads and intricate designs have a special place among us people in the world. They are a symbol of culture, art, and talent since these carpets are woven by human hand art and other techniques. Therefore, it is not only important to understand the amount of intense work that goes behind making each piece of the carpet but It is also crucial to study the different ways of using and maintaining the carpet as these are expensive and are products of huge worth.  

Generations will come and pass down, but the charm and quality of the handmade carpets or rugs are eternal. It is because of this great value and importance that they are unique and will remain forever.