Asymmetric Knots
At this point, the foundation work has been completed including securing the base, let’s examine closely the two types of knots before we begin the weaving process by tying knots by hand one row at a time.
Here, we will examine closely the second major knot type.
PERSIAN (Asymmetric) Knot
Knots are tied using weaver’s fingers. The Persian knot does not require the knife tool. The number of warps depends on the size of the rug. In this example, our rug will have 23 knots horizontally, so we’ll need 27 pairs of warps. (We add 2 extra pairs of warps on both side which will become the selvedge. 23+4=27)
Note: For demonstration purposes, in some pictures I will use white and blue colored warp yarns to represent the right and the left warps, respectively.
Pictures above show the Open-left Persian knot. Open-right Persian knot is woven in a reverse fashion. The loose end of the wool goes from between the two warps, under the left warp (blue). Wrap it under and over the left warp and come back through the middle. Take it behind the right warp (white) and pull it toward the front. Note that the loose end of the wool is always “above” the wool strand as it moves through the warps.
Video: Asymmetric knot
If you are curious to learn more, my eBook The Art of Oriental Rugs - A Weaver's Perspective shows you: 1) how to identify a weave** and how different techniques produce “recognizable” variations in different regions, 2) maps with geographical views of where rugs are woven in the country of Iran and how the regional weaves influence each other, and 3) 750+ close-up pictures of weaves from 170+ rug-weaving regions in Iran and around the globe. I’ve written a book I wish I had when I first started in the rug business. This, I humbly hope, will be seen as an indispensable addition to any library.
Asymmetric Knots
We begin the weaving process by tying knots by hand one row at a time.
Here, we will examine closely the second major knot type.
PERSIAN (Asymmetric) Knot
Knots are tied using weaver’s fingers. The Persian knot does not require the knife tool. The number of warps depends on the size of the rug. In this example, our rug will have 23 knots horizontally, so we’ll need 27 pairs of warps. (We add 2 extra pairs of warps on both side which will become the selvedge. 23+4=27)
Note: For demonstration purposes, in some pictures I will use white and blue colored warp yarns to represent the right and the left warps, respectively.
Pictures above show the Open-left Persian knot. Open-right Persian knot is woven in a reverse fashion. The loose end of the wool goes from between the two warps, under the left warp (blue). Wrap it under and over the left warp and come back through the middle. Take it behind the right warp (white) and pull it toward the front. Note that the loose end of the wool is always “above” the wool strand as it moves through the warps.
Video: Asymmetric knot
If you are curious to learn more, my eBook The Art of Oriental Rugs - A Weaver's Perspective shows you: 1) how to identify a weave** and how different techniques produce “recognizable” variations in different regions, 2) maps with geographical views of where rugs are woven in the country of Iran and how the regional weaves influence each other, and 3) 750+ close-up pictures of weaves from 170+ rug-weaving regions in Iran and around the globe. I’ve written a book I wish I had when I first started in the rug business. This, I humbly hope, will be seen as an indispensable addition to any library.