Origin & Manufacturing
The art of a handknotted rug
"The making of a rug is a true collaborative effort, and each piece carries a lot of soul."
The creation process
The wool is spun completely by hand. This is a laborious process where the raw wool is repeatedly stretched and twisted into yarn.
The wool is dyed by hand. Natural color pigments such as plants, minerals or even insects are used in this stage.
The process of stretching and assembling the loom takes several days. During this meticulous stage, the vertical wool threads are carefully drawn and interlaced, forming a sturdy foundation for the rug.
Each knot is tied by hand. Typically, two weavers work in tandem on a single rug and the knotting process takes around ten weeks. The wool threads are meticulously tied at precise points according to the color and pattern specified on the design plate. An experienced weaver can knot up to an impressive 1000 knots per hour.
The weavers utilize traditional tools for knotting, which have been passed on for centuries. The rug comb is used to beat down the already knotted parts, ensuring their firmness. The sharp blade of the knife is used to cut the thread after each knot has been tied.
Once the rug is taken off the loom, it is professionally washed several times, ensuring that any dirt particles and wool remnants are loosened and removed. The washers use a traditional wooden paddle to complete this step.
Once the rug is cleaned, it is stretched out in the sun for ten days to dry and take on its final shape. Please be aware of the fact that during the monsoon season in India, which lasts from June to September, there might be an extended waiting periods for your rug, as the country experiences intense rainshowers.
In the final steps, the rug is sheared to the desired pile height, minor repairs are made, and the border is carefully bound - all by hand. Finally, the so-called weft threads are crafted into fringes by skillfully intertwining them, creating a decorative finishing element.
Both my manufacturer and I personally inspect each finished rug. As all of our rugs are made by hand, each may have slight inconsistencies or unique qualities. These variants are what make your rug truly one-of-a-kind.
"With every purchased rug, we support the CARE & FAIR initiative, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for families involved in the rug-making industry."
Our visit on-site
The origin of the Oushak (Ushak) rug can be traced back to the Usak region, located south of Istanbul in Turkey.
During the time of the Ottoman Empire, this area became a significant center for the rug production.
The art of rug weaving flourished in this region and gained worldwide recognition. Oushak rugs are known for their unique designs, inspired by geometric movements. They are admired for their vibrant colors and extraordinary patterns, making them the perfect centerpiece for any room.
The crafting of an Oushak rug involves over ten steps, all of which are executed by hand. These include the creatin of the design, selecting a color scheme, spinning and dyeing the
wool, printing the design plate, weaving, washing, sun-drying, stretching, shearing, binding, and any necessary repairs.
The result is always a one-of-a-kind rug.