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

The secret behind the "floating feeling" created by Persian carpets -- a look at the first half of the manufacturing process

Have you ever been surprised by the "floating feeling" that enveloped you in a soft embrace the moment you stepped into a room? This is the "feeling of the pile pushing up from below" that is unique to Persian carpets. In fact, this comfort is closely related to the long history and enormously laborious manufacturing process. This time, we will focus on the first half of the process in which Persian carpets are created. Why not take a peek at the crystallization of tradition and craftsmanship?

Drawing: Putting the image in your head onto graph paper

The designs of Persian carpets are based on a long history and patterns that have been passed down among regions and tribes.

• Nomadic carpets: Their appeal lies in their unique "simplicity," and they are often woven freely without using patterns.
• Urban carpets: First, a design is created and a **pattern (drawing)** is made. Each square on the graph paper corresponds to a knot on the carpet, allowing the colors and patterns to be woven in precisely.

For this reason, in urban workshops, it is common for a specialist called a "designer" to come up with a design that is calculated down to the smallest detail, and then the craftsman weaves it according to that. In contrast, nomadic carpets are made by directly reflecting the image in the craftsman's head, so even the same pattern can have a slightly different, "one-of-a-kind" feel.

Dyeing - The craftsmanship behind the vibrant colors

The vibrant colors of Persian carpets are not created in a day. The traditional dyeing techniques are completed through the following steps:

1. Washing: Removes grease and dirt from wool or silk threads.
2. Dyeing: The yarn is dyed with natural dyes (cochineal, indigo, madder, turmeric, saffron, etc.) or chemical dyes. The yarn is immersed in the dye while checking the color development, and the color is fixed with a mordant.
3. Soaping: Washing away excess dye and stabilizing the color.

Carpets made with natural dyes will deepen in color over time and take on an "antique shine." Nowadays, chemical dyes are widely used, but if a craftsman dyes them properly, a carpet with beautiful color and durability will be completed.

Flat weave - creating the "base" that supports the carpet

Now we move on to the weaving process. However, we don't start tying the pile right away. The first step is a process called "plain weaving."

• Firmly fix the warp threads: The warp threads are stretched across the loom in two rows, front and back, and passed from top to bottom.
• Alternate weft threads: Do a few rows of plain weave to give the carpet a firm edge.

This flat woven section is finished as the **fringe** after the carpet is completed.

You may be wondering "Why is this extra step necessary?", but it helps to stabilize the shape of the carpet and makes it less likely to fray.

Hand-woven (pile weaving) - the true essence of creating a "floating" sensation

Well, the best part of Persian carpets is pile weaving, the process of carefully tying together the fluffy pile on the surface.

• Persian knot (single knot): A delicate knot in which the pile is wrapped around one of the two warp threads. This requires skill as it is done with the fingertips, and is particularly favored by skilled female craftsmen.
• Turkish knot (double knot): A method of wrapping the pile around both warp threads. Generally used with a crochet hook, this is a quick and easy way to make more knots.

Once the knots are tied, a knife is used to cut the threads and complete each knot. This painstaking process is repeated until the pile (length of fibers) is created throughout the carpet.

The long fibers push up from below, giving it that soft and fluffy feeling!

Summary: The true nature of the "floating feeling" created by time and effort

The first half of the Persian carpet manufacturing process, which includes drawing → dyeing → flat weaving → pile weaving, is incredibly labor-intensive. Because all of the processes are done by hand by craftsmen,

• The pile has just the right amount of elasticity, making it feel like you're floating underfoot.
• Enjoy colors that are fade-resistant and have greater depth
• Durable enough to be used for generations

This makes the above attractions a reality.

When you step on a Persian carpet, you feel a gentle upward pressure, and behind that lies the generous time and skill of the craftsmen. With that in mind, every time you walk on a Persian carpet, you will feel as if you are enveloped in its rich history.

The next time you see a Persian carpet, try to imagine what kind of dye it was dyed with, and whether the pile is Persian knotted or Turkish knotted. Just by changing your awareness a little, the appeal of the carpet will increase many times over.

You may find yourself feeling grateful for that fluffy feeling when you put your feet down.