When you think of your ideal home and all of the furniture and decor you want to own, a hand-knotted rug may not be the first piece to come to mind. But when you sink your toes into the soft, lush pile every morning, you’re actually walking on a product with a robust history and an artisanship understood by only a few skilled craftspeople. The tradition of hand-knotting rugs is a skill that has gone largely unchanged for thousands of years, untouched by industrialization, and privy to only a few in select regions of the world. So when you purchase a hand-knotted rug from us at Kathy Kuo Home, you’re not just getting a rug. You’re getting an intricate and complicated work of art that will last you and our family for generations. Read on to learn more!
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Hand-knotted Rugs Are Older Than The Pyramids
While the exact origins are unknown, it’s likely that the first rugs were made several thousand years ago in the Central Asian Plains. Nomadic tribespeople would use rugs to shield themselves from the bitter cold of winter and to cover their homes from the rain, snow, or harsh sun. There’s also evidence that rugs were used as surfaces for eating and for transporting goods.
Why were rugs the answer to everything? Because of wool’s extreme durability and versatility, rugs were utilities that could be successfully repurposed again and again. Rugs became most popular in Asia, and this is where they were (and still are) primarily made, lending to the outdated term “Oriental rug.” Today, the largest exporters of hand-knitted rugs are still Asian countries, namely Pakistan, Iran, China, India, Russia, Turkey, Tibet and Nepal.
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Hand-knotted Rugs Take Over A Year To Make
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Taalim and Rug-Making
The artisan workers at the loom use Taalim to translate the graphed pattern onto the actual rug. They then wash the raw carpet to achieve the right texture and look. The washing process can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks and requires multiple workers to complete. Before we sell the rugs to you, they go through another round of QA to ensure it’s in perfect condition for your home. Between spinning, dyeing, weaving, and finishing, it takes roughly 12 months as a minimum for a single rug to be crafted. Our speciality rugs are truly specialty, as only one of each is in stock, and once it goes it goes!
4 Reasons You Should Buy a Hand-Knotted Rug
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1. It’s Stronger than Any Other Rug
A hand-knotted rug typically has between 50-160 knots per square inch. Each knot is individually tied by a skilled weaver, creating an ultra-strong structure that won’t loosen or wear.
2. You Don’t Have to Worry About Spills
In fact, it’s part of the centuries-old rug-making process. Once woven, the raw carpet is washed and swept multiple times to achieve the right look. It can take up to 3 weeks to complete the washing of a single rug. In other words, no use worrying about the occasional spill.
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3. Foot Traffic is Welcomed
Hand-knotted rugs actually get better with age. It’s as if every footstep polishes the rug – that’s what gives it a gorgeous patina.
4. They’re Naturally Durable
Most traditional hand-knotted rugs are woven of wool, favored for its durability and softness underfoot. Wool is naturally strong and is stain- and water-repellent. When colored with natural vegetable dyes, the wool yields an organic look that improves with age.
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