A Complete Guide to Hand Knotted Rugs

Here at RugKnots, we welcome your questions. We know that finding the perfect Hand-knotted Rugs for your home takes time and lots of thought and consideration. Often, a question we get from one person ends up being the same question others have. That is why we created the Fridays with RugKnots video series on our YouTube. One common question we receive is "why is the Persian rugs not straight and square in the picture?"  Some people mistakenly think this comes from the inexperience of the weavers. But this simply isn't true.

Check out the video we made and then read on for more information.

Hand-Knotted vs Machine Made

Computers and rug-making machines have the ability to weave rugs at precise 90-degree angles that human hands simply cannot. Computer and rug-making machines follow codes that repeat knots at exact repetitions. Human rug weavers using looms, however, invest their time and energy into the art of individual knots. The talent of rug-making shows in every single loop. This art also means that the corners won’t be as square as machine-made rugs. Just like a hand-painted oil on canvas will have rough edges and different textures than a computer-printed photograph, a hand-knotted rug shows the “fingerprint” of the rug maker. If you find a wool rug that isn't completely square, it is a tell-tale sign that it is a high-end hand-knotted wool rug.

Why Do The Rugs Look So Out Of Shape Online? 

We photograph from overhead, in a view that is not commonly seen in real life. The issue of the square is actually exacerbated by the camera. 

Most Popular Hand-Knotted Rugs 

Are you ready to buy amazing hand-knotted rugs now? Here are the best rugs at the lowest prices. Browse our other hand-knotted oriental rugs for more choices.

Bokhara Rugs

Our Bokhara rugs are hand-knotted on a vertical loom to exacting standards. They take four months to complete and are weaved by our artisans with premium grade wool imported from the hills of New Zealand and the finest local wool farmers in Pakistan. People love the reliability of the Bokhara rug patterns. They are always going to feature the same repetitive geometric patterns. You can purchase them in a variety of colors - all made with organic vegetable dye.

Ikat Rugs

Produced all around the world, from Japan, Asia, and India – and by our skilled artisans in Pakistan – the ‘resist dyeing technique used to create Ikat rugs requires a high level of expertise.

Ikat Rug Dying Techniques: Resist dyeing involves tightly bundling together yarns into a specific pattern before they are dyed, then re-wrapping the bundles and dyeing them again multiple times before the yarns are woven - creating the distinctive blurred abstract designs so popular with Ikat rug lovers worldwide. The more precise and less blurred the design, the more adept the artisan was in lining up and retying the yarn bundles between each dyeing stage – meaning while some blurring will always occur, the highest quality examples will feature the most distinctive styling - such as those sold by RugKnots.

Peshawar Ziegler

Also called ‘chobi’ rugs – the word for wood in the Farsi language – these rugs are characterized by their muted, earthy tones. It is a look which in the modern version is created by hand stone washing and leaving the rugs to bleach out in natural sunlight.

Here are some frequently asked questions about hand-knotted rugs

1. What are hand-knotted rugs?

Knotted rugs are the most traditional type of rug. They're made by knotting yarn or silk on a cotton backing using either hand manipulation or power looms. For centuries, these rugs have been made by hand in the central Asian regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. But today, they are also made throughout India, Nepal, and other countries. The process is time-consuming which means that handmade hand-knotted rugs are more expensive than their machine-made counterparts. Because you're paying for every knot it's important to purchase a finely crafted rug.

2. What is the difference between hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs?

Hand-knotted rugs and hand-tufted rugs are both types of rug. They're made by knotting yarn or silk on a cotton backing using either hand manipulation or power looms. For centuries, these rugs have been made by hand in the central Asian regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. But today, they are also made by hand in other countries. The process is time-consuming which means that handmade hand-knotted rugs are more expensive than their machine-made counterparts. Because you're paying for every knot it's important to purchase a finely crafted rug. Hand-tufted rugs, on the other hand, only take about half as much time to create as hand-knotted rugs. Some of the most popular types of handmade rugs include Persian, Turkish, and Indian. Hand-knotted wool rugs are among the most popular type of handmade rugs. These are woven rugs with knots per square inch (KPSI) that are commonly made from wool. In the past, handmade rugs were mainly produced in China and India as well as Afghanistan. But today, they are also made by hand in other countries. The process is time-consuming which means that handmade are more expensive than their machine-made counterparts. Because you're paying for the time and labor that goes into creating these rugs, they're typically more expensive than machine-made ones.

3. Is an oriental rug hand-knotted?

An oriental rug is hand-knotted using the warp threads in a knotting process that creates a raised pile on one side. The rug quality depends on the number of knots, the more knots carpets have, the better they're. A good quality rug should have at least 100 knots per square inch with some having up to 200,000 knots in one single pound! A single knot is sewn by hand and can take as long as a week to complete. Rugs are made by knotting yarn or tufting, which consists of pulling loops of carpet through the backing with special needles. Machine-made area rugs consist of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene and nylon that may be colored throughout their entire length or dyed only on the surface.

4. What is the difference between a Turkish knot and Persian knot?

The difference between a Turkish knot and a Persian knot is the size of loops. A Turkish rug has small knots with long rows, whereas Persian rugs have bigger loops that are close together. A Turkish knot is a symmetric knot, whereas a Persian is an asymmetrical knot. And it takes longer to make a Persian knot rug because of its complex design and more knots per square inch. Turkish knots are used in finer rugs while Persian knots are more suited to medium and larger weight rugs. The knot count of the rug is how many knots are used per square inch of the rug.

5. How to know if a hand-knotted rug is straight or square?

A hand-knotted rug is straight if it is very tightly woven and the warp strings are carefully pulled. A hand-knotted rug is square when each side has equal diagonal measurements from corner to opposite corners, which should be a minimum of three feet, six inches for average room size.

6. Which is better a hand-knotted rug or a machine-made rug?

A machine-made rug is a little more durable and can be used in high-traffic areas. A hand-knotted rug has better detail, color saturation, and texture. Machine-made rugs have a more consistent weave and color. Hand-woven rugs are low pile rugs and machine-woven rugs are high pile. The material used in a hand-knotted rug is more expensive, but it will last longer. A polyester carpet is more durable, but it will not last as long.

7. What is the weaving process for a hand-knotted rug?

The weavers select and purchase the wool. The weaver will prepare the loom by attaching one end of warp yarns to the front beam while threading other ends through heddles on each side of the loom. Then, they tie knots onto these threads to create patterns in how many knots are used per square inch. After this, the weavers must cut and tie knots onto other ends of warp threads to create designs.

8. How to clean a hand-knotted rug?

To clean a hand-knotted rug, you should use a vacuum with gentle suction and avoid using the beater brush. You can also lift up your rugs to clean underneath them regularly or run them through an outside wash cycle on cold water using mild detergent without bleach. You can also use a carpet steamer, but do not use the steam plate to clean persian rugs. For stubborn stains on a hand-knotted rug, you can also try using baking soda or club soda and brush it into the fiber with an old toothbrush that has soft bristles. You can also use a wet sponge to blot the area. Cleaning a hand-knotted rug is a little different from cleaning wall-to-wall carpets. There are many benefits of having a hand-knotted rug in your home, but if you don't know how to properly treat and maintain it, it can quickly become damaged or even ruined. In order for you to ensure that the rugs last as long as possible, you need to get into the habit of vacuuming and spot cleaning them regularly. A vacuum cleaner with a beater bar is ideal for rugs made from natural fibers like wool or cotton because it helps agitate the pile so that debris will not sit on top of it. However, if your rug has a synthetic fiber or silk pile, a commercial vacuum cleaner will make it dull and scratchy. A hand-knotted rug that is not cleaned regularly can develop mildew or even mold in the fibers of its pile.

9. Where can I place hand-knotted rugs at home?

You can place them in any room of your home. In general, it is best to put a hand-knotted rug under the furniture that is on top of it because this will protect the rugs from being crushed by heavy objects and traffic. You can also place a hand-knotted rug in a room where you want to add warmth and comfort. These fine rugs can be a luxurious addition to any room in your home.

10. How long do hand-knotted rugs last?

A good quality, a well-cared-for hand-knotted rug can last many decades and even longer if you take care of it properly. Many people choose to pass their fine rugs onto the next generation as they are passed down from generation to generation.

11. How are hand-knotted rugs made?

A skilled artisan spends many hours knotting yarn into a specific pattern that will eventually become the rug you can see in front of your eyes today! Each thread is knotted individually, which provides more durability and strength for this type of carpeting.

12. How much do hand-knotted rugs cost?

Prices can vary depending on the size, quality, and design of your rug, but you will find that there are many options when it comes to finding a beautiful hand-knotted area rug for any room in your home at an affordable price!

13. Which country has the best hand-knotted rugs?

There are many countries that have perfected the art of hand-knotted rug making, but if we had to pick one it would be India! The Indian culture has been perfecting this form of carpet for centuries and they know how to make beautiful rugs at an affordable price.

14. What are the tips for keeping hand-knotted rugs new?

Believe it or not, you can actually keep your hand-knotted rug looking new for many years by following a few simple tips. Always remember to clean up spills as soon as they happen and vacuum the area several times per week! You can also try rotating your rugs once or twice per year to allow for even wear.

15. Does the type of rug backing affect how well it lays flat?

The type of material used on the back of a hand-knotted rug can be very important as far as laying goes, but unfortunately, there isn't one perfect solution that applies to every rug. Some rugs will have a cotton backing that allows them to lay very flat, while others can have silk or latex backings that are designed to keep the rug in place on the floor and prevent slipping.

I hope this answers your question. If you browse our online store and wonder “why is the hand-knotted Persian rug not straight” this post should have answered your question. The rugs are photographed from above which accentuates their corners. Being hand-made, they have intricacies that machine-made rugs simply do not. If you have any more questions, please contact us at RugKnots. For more information please email us at info@rugknots.com or call us at (301) 660-7046. We are happy to answer your questions!