The manufacturing process of Persian carpets | From drawing to pile weaving, meticulous handwork (first half)

Happiness starting from your feet...this is how that comfort is created!

Welcome to the fascinating world of Persian carpets. Persian carpets are known as luxurious hand-woven carpets, but have you ever experienced the unique, soft sensation of standing on one, as if you were floating in the air?

"Why does it feel so nice, even though it's just a carpet?" "How are they made?" The secret to that comfort lies in the traditional manufacturing process that is unique to Persian carpets.

Today, we will focus on the first half of the mind-boggling journey of craftsmanship that goes into creating a beautiful Persian carpet. If you learn the reason behind the comfort of carpets, you will surely come to love carpets even more!

1. The beginning of the design: the drafting process [Making a blueprint for the carpet]

The making of every Persian carpet begins with deciding the type of design to be woven.

• Nomadic carpets: They are often woven without a blueprint, and are made freely according to the weaver's sensibilities, giving them a rustic, one-of-a-kind charm.
• Urban Workshop Carpets: To achieve more precise designs, a professional designer draws out a blueprint (draft) on something like graph paper. Each square corresponds to a knot, and the color and pattern are precisely specified. This forms the basis for complex and beautiful patterns.

This initial design process sets the tone for the artistry of the final carpet.

2. The magic of color: the dyeing process [breathing life into the thread]

Next comes the dyeing process which gives Persian rugs their rich colours.

1. Washing: First, the wool and silk threads used as materials are thoroughly washed to remove any oil or dirt.
2. Dyeing: The yarn is dyed using natural dyes (derived from plants, insects, and other natural sources) or chemical dyes. Craftsmen use their years of experience and intuition to bring out beautiful colors, including the time and temperature for soaking in the dye, and the use of mordants to help the color fix. The appeal of natural dyes is that they deepen in color over time.
3. Washing (Soaping): Finally, the excess dye is washed away and the colour is stabilized.

Only yarn that has undergone a careful dyeing process can achieve the beautiful colors and durability of Persian carpets.

3. The unsung hero: Flat weaving process [Making the carpet base]

Before weaving begins, there is a very important process called "flat weaving." This is the process of creating the top and bottom edges of the carpet.

The warp threads are stretched over the loom and the weft threads are threaded alternately to create a flat woven fabric several centimetres thick. This is what will become the fringe. It may look simple, but this flat weave plays an important role in stabilising the overall shape of the carpet and preventing fraying at the edges. It is only with a solid foundation that the beautiful pile can be woven.

4. The core! Pile weaving process [The secret of Persian carpet comfort]

Now, we come to the pile weaving, which is the most distinctive feature of Persian carpets and creates that comfortable feeling of floating underfoot! This is the process of creating the fluffy pile on the surface of the carpet.

• How to tie: Using the previously mentioned "Persian knot" or "Turkish knot" methods, each pile thread is tied to the warp threads by hand.
• Tying, cutting and fastening: Once you have finished tying, cut off the excess thread with a knife, pass the weft thread through and beat it with a comb to fasten the knot.

By repeating this painstaking process hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of times, countless independent pile fibers are densely arranged, pointing upward, on the surface of the carpet.

This is how the "floating sensation" is created!

This "pile structure in which each individual fiber stands tall and densely packed upward" is the secret behind the comfort of Persian carpets! The countless fibers support the sole of your foot like a soft cushion or a dense brush, dispersing your weight. The elasticity of each pile gently pushes back from below... This is the true nature of the unique and luxurious sensation that is sometimes described as a "floating sensation."

This is a special comfort that cannot be achieved simply by having a long pile, but by hand-weaving each strand individually.

summary:

How was the first half of the Persian carpet manufacturing process? Creating a design (drafting), coloring the threads (dyeing), making the base (flat weaving), and tying each thread with care (pile weaving).

It is only thanks to this accumulation of careful and painstaking handiwork that

• A comfortable feeling of stepping on it, as if you were floating in the air (floating sensation)
• Deep colors that remain beautiful even over time
• Incredibly durable enough to last for generations

This is what gives Persian carpets their unique charm.

The next time you have a chance to touch a Persian carpet, please take the time to feel its texture under your feet. When you think about the countless knots and the generous time and skill of the craftsmen behind its soft, fluffy feel, your attachment to carpets will surely grow even stronger.

[Click here for advice on choosing a Persian carpet]

Golestan, a Persian carpet specialist, will help you find the perfect carpet to suit your room and lifestyle. Our expert staff will be happy to help you choose from our extensive selection, so please feel free to consult with us.

• Check the size and texture at a physical store: Store address and access information
• Check out our online store for carpets in various sizes: Visit our online store
• Inquiries regarding size selection and stock: To the inquiry form

We look forward to your visit and inquiries.