Why are Qom carpets special? The secret of beauty hidden in "dried cocoons"

The first story of beauty hidden in a single carpet

When you hear about Persian carpets, especially silk carpets from Qom, what kind of image comes to your mind? Perhaps it's the breathtakingly intricate designs and that unique lustrous shine that makes it seem as if the jewel itself is emitting light. The smooth, cool feel when you touch it gently with your fingertips is also a luxury that only silk can offer.

But have you ever wondered how such delicate silk thread can have such a lustrous shine and be strong enough to be passed down through generations? One of the secrets lies in the "cocoon" stage, the raw material for silk thread, which actually occurs long before the carpet is woven.

Today, let's take a peek behind the scenes at the very important process of "drying silk" which is not often talked about but is the foundation of the quality of Qom silk carpets. We will talk about the unknown traditions and the latest techniques that protect and nurture the best brilliance of the carpets.

It all begins with this little cocoon

As you know, silk comes from a cocoon, a shelter that a tiny creature called a silkworm creates to wrap its body in. It's a wonder of nature that hundreds of meters of thin, beautiful, and strong threads are hidden inside that tiny cocoon.

However, the state of the cocoon that the silkworm has just finished making, the so-called "raw cocoon," is actually very delicate. If left alone, the pupa inside will grow and eventually turn into a moth that will break out of the cocoon and come out. When that happens, the precious silk thread will break, making it difficult to produce long, high-quality thread.

The crucial step that determines the fate of silk thread: "drying the cocoon"

So, in order to maintain the quality of the cocoons created by the silkworms, that "best moment," and to extract excellent silk thread, the idea of ​​"drying" the cocoons in a proper way was devised. This is the process called "drying cocoons."

Why bother drying it?

The main purpose is to prevent the pupae inside the cocoons from emerging and to allow the cocoons to be stored in a stable condition for a long period of time without compromising their original quality. And this drying method actually has a surprisingly large effect on the quality of the silk thread that will be produced later.

• Prevents thread breakage and makes thread stronger: Proper drying stabilizes the moisture inside the cocoon, making thread less likely to break. This is what gives silk carpets their unexpected strength, even though they look delicate.
• Uniform, smooth threads: By keeping the conditions inside the cocoons uniform through drying, the threads drawn from them are of uniform thickness and are smooth and of high quality. This is also the secret behind the smooth feel of the carpet when it is made.
• Preserving and bringing out the natural beautiful luster of silk: Depending on the drying method, the natural luster of silk can be lost. On the other hand, by drying very carefully and in the most optimal way, the original luster of silk is protected and even enhanced. It is no exaggeration to say that the luster of the famous Qum silk begins with this drying process.

Why is "Kum" particularly important?

Persian carpets come from many different places, but why are these dried cocoons so important to "Qom" silk carpets in particular?

The biggest feature of Qom silk carpets is that they are woven with incredibly fine silk threads to create incredibly intricate and complex designs. Compared to carpets from other regions, Qom carpets are attractive for their delicate expressions, almost like paintings.

To achieve this, each and every silk thread used must be perfectly uniform, strong, and above all, have a breathtakingly beautiful luster . The quality of the thread directly affects the quality, artistic quality, and value of the carpet.

So, for the craftsmen of Qum, the first step to making the best carpets is to select the best cocoons and "dry the cocoons" to bring out their full potential. Each thread is like a gemstone. Drying the cocoons is the first and most important step to polish the cocoons without losing their brilliance.

The Persian Wind and Sun, and Modern Wisdom [How to Dry Silk]

So how exactly do you dry the cocoons?

A method that has been practiced in Persia since ancient times is to use the power of nature . The cocoons are spread out in a shady area with a good ventilated place where the sun is not too strong, and dried slowly over time. The dry air of Persia and the gentle sunlight gently envelop the cocoons, bringing them to their best condition without compromising their quality... It's like a very romantic scene, isn't it? This traditional method is still cherished and passed down to this day.

On the other hand, new technologies have been adopted in modern times to efficiently obtain silk thread of more stable quality. For example,

• Warm air drying: This method involves blowing warm air while precisely controlling the temperature and humidity using a computer, etc., to dry the fabric evenly. This allows for an even finish in a short amount of time.
• Vacuum drying: This method places the cocoons in a near vacuum and dries them while controlling the moisture. It is said that this method keeps the inside of the cocoon in a more ideal state.

These modern techniques play a major role in ensuring that we can steadily deliver the finest products, such as Qom silk carpets. Traditional wisdom and new techniques are all born from the artisans' passion to "produce the finest silk."

Supreme brilliance born from a "dry cocoon"

The carefully selected and carefully dried cocoons are then used to pull out silk threads, which are then dyed and woven into carpets.

Qom carpets are made using silk thread that has undergone a process called "drying the cocoons," which is like a "behind the scenes work."

• That deep, elegant luster that changes appearance depending on the angle of the light
• A smooth texture that you'll want to touch forever
• Flexible yet durable, it can be used for generations.

It is said that Qom silk carpets become more beautiful and valuable over time, and this is due to the careful selection of materials and the accumulation of work that goes on behind the scenes.

Summary: A deep story behind the carpet

The beautiful Persian carpets we see every day are hard to imagine from the finished product, but I hope that you can understand a little about the many tedious but very important processes, such as "drying the cocoons," that support their beauty.

The breathtaking brilliance of Qum silk Persian carpets is not something that happens by chance. Respect for the life of the tiny silkworm, the eye to select the finest materials, traditional wisdom and the latest technology to protect and nurture them, and above all, the passion and dedication of the artisans... All of these factors come together to create these works of art.

When you learn the stories behind these carpets, doesn't that make each Persian carpet seem even more precious and cherished?

Please take a good look at the carpet in your hands, or the carpet you will encounter in the future, while paying close attention to the delicate techniques and passion of the artisans.

I'm sure you'll discover new charms that are different from what you've seen before.

[For advice on choosing silk carpets, click here]

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