How are Persian carpets made? Are they expensive?

Until a piece of art is born. Here is the reason for its value.

Intricate designs, rich colors, and a charm that never fades over the years... Persian carpets continue to fascinate people, but have you ever wondered, "How on earth are they made?"

"It's hand-woven, right?" You're right! But do you know how much time and effort hand-woven is an amazing technique?

Today, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way why Persian carpets are called works of art, the secrets of their weaving, and the amazing world of craftsmen's handiwork. After reading this, we are sure to change the way you look at Persian carpets.

There are two ways to knot a Persian carpet

The biggest feature of Persian carpets is that each thread is knotted. There are two main ways to knot the threads. This is the first point that determines the character of the carpet.

• Persian knot (single knot) A method of wrapping thread around one warp thread. It is suitable for drawing flowing curves and intricate, delicate patterns . It is often seen in highly artistic carpets.
• Turkish knot (double knot): A method of firmly tying two adjacent warp threads. The knot is strong and durable , and is often used for practical carpets.

Neither is better than the other, and they are used depending on the design and place of origin.

How a carpet is made: An incredibly labor-intensive process

So how are Persian carpets actually woven? The process is surprisingly painstaking and requires a series of painstaking tasks.

1. Deciding on the design (design creation) First, we create a design, which will serve as a blueprint for the carpet. Traditional patterns and new designs are drawn on something like graph paper.
2. Tying the threads (making knots) While looking at the pattern, the threads (pile threads) of the specified color are tied by hand one by one to the warp threads stretched on the loom. Once tied, the excess thread is cut off. This process is repeated over and over.
3. After each knot is secured with the weft , the weft is passed through and tapped down with a comb-like tool to secure the knot firmly. This makes the carpet tightly woven and strong.

This process of tying and fastening is repeated hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of times until a single carpet finally takes shape.

The Value of Time: Why are Persian Carpets So Expensive?

You may imagine that hand weaving takes a long time, but how long do you think it takes specifically? With high-density Persian carpets, even an experienced craftsman can only weave a few centimeters a day. It is said that the limit for the number of knots is about 5,000.

For example, if you were to make a 2m x 3m carpet for your living room, with 1 million knots per square meter, then by simple calculation it would take more than three years to complete!

This "time" is crucial to understanding the value of a Persian carpet: it is not just the time spent working on it, but the time that the artisan puts into it, their skilled technique, their unwavering concentration, and a part of their life.

[A slightly sad reality you should know] Because it takes such a long time to make a carpet, unfortunately, not all carpets are completed. There are also cases where the weaver stops weaving midway due to personal reasons. For this reason, a completed Persian carpet can be said to be a miracle, born after overcoming many difficulties.

A special challenge: the "extremely difficult" weaving of Qom silk carpets

Persian carpets, especially silk carpets from Qom, are known for their difficulty in weaving, due to their extremely high density (over 1 million knots per square meter!) and the large number of colors used.

Imagine this: a world of millimeter-level precision, with more than 100 knots in a 1cm square. Then you have to choose the right color silk thread from dozens of colors according to the pattern, and tie it in the right place without a single deviation... This is a task that requires superhuman concentration and precision.

What is it that supports this difficult work, which cannot be overcome by skill alone? We believe it is the deep love for carpets and the strong will of the artisans to create the finest works of art with their own hands. The special shine of Qom silk is imbued with the soul of such artisans.

Art woven from materials, tools, and the "human hand"

Of course, a good carpet requires good materials (silk, wool, cotton, etc.) and the right tools (usually a manual loom).

However, it is the "human hands" and "heart" that ultimately determine the quality of a Persian carpet . Precision, concentration, perseverance, and the sensibility to create something beautiful. These combine to breathe life into a single carpet. Sometimes the fresh sensibility of a young weaver shines through, and other times the skilled techniques of a veteran shine through. The personality and passion of the maker become the "flavor" of the carpet.

Summary: Persian carpets are art woven together by "time" and "people's feelings"

Did you enjoy learning about the secrets of Persian carpet weaving? Creating a beautiful carpet is never easy.

• Calculated knotting technique
• One knot at a time, the painstaking work of weaving together colours and shapes
• An enormous amount of time, sometimes even several years
• Millimeter-level accuracy requires extreme concentration
• And the deep love for carpets and the soul of the craftsman

Only when all these elements are combined does a Persian carpet become more than just a rug; it becomes a work of art.

The next time you have a chance to see a Persian carpet, try to think not only about its beautiful patterns, but also about the time and effort that went into each and every knot of the carpet. You will surely come to realize the true value and deep charm of the carpet.

[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.