What do you get when you combine exquisite quality with remarkable craftsmanship? Our hand-knotted silk rugs are lovingly created by artisans in Agra, each one a unique work of art. At Kalra’s Cottage Industry, we value traditional techniques of rug making, and each rug reflects a commitment to the art of rug production. Designed with precision using skills passed down through the generations hand-knotted silk rug making has been a highly valued art form in Agra. Modern-day handmade rugs showroom in Agra and local artisans still follow this heritage of rug making to produce exquisite carpets.
The most labor-intensive method for making a rug is hand-knotting. Up to four weavers can work on a rug at once, and it takes roughly four to five months to complete one hand-knotted rug. Quality is prioritized throughout production to produce heirloom carpets that can endure a lifetime. So, let’s explore the fabulous journey of a silk hand-knotted rug from threads to the finished product.
Why silk rugs?
Silk is a luxurious fibre. Although silk is perceived as a delicate material, it is actually a very robust and lovely fibre. Silk has high tensile strength and special features that make it notable for a variety of other things in addition to its use in creating gorgeous textiles and garments. Weavers would be unable to weave these elaborate motifs at a knot count that can surpass 1500 knots per square inch for the finest weave if silk weren’t robust.
It is also one of the most exquisite and environmentally friendly fabrics. Silk fibres are entirely biodegradable and are obtained organically from the cocoons of silkworms. Carpets made of silk are produced by a labour-intensive and time-consuming procedure without the use of any chemicals. Since silk is an expensive fibre, there are a lot of dupes like viscose and rayon available in the market. Therefore, you will only find quality natural silk rugs available in the best rugs and carpet showrooms in Agra. They might seem a little pricey but are worth every penny!
Silk is not as widely used as wool since it is an expensive material to weave rugs from, but the weavers who deal with silk go to tremendous pains to ensure that their creations are nothing short of exquisite. Therefore, you are now undoubtedly making a statement when you opt to get a silk rug!
The Crafting Process of the Hand-Knotted Silk Rug
1. From fibres to yarn
Raw silk fibres are cleaned and sorted after the procurement process. In carding, the fibres are manually straightened and teased into distinct strands in preparation for spinning. Agra’s skilled spinners use a spinning wheel called a “charkha” to create yarn from the carded fibres.
2. Hand dyeing
The yarn is hand-dyed using conventional pot dyeing techniques after the dye master prepares the dyes to the suitable colour. Silk threads are coloured in small batches, allowing for precise process management.
3. Sun drying
The dyed yarns are dried naturally. The sunlight is crucial for the drying process since it gives the yarn a unique sheen.
4. Balling dyed yarns
The yarns are wrapped into balls and ready for the looms after they have dried. The coloured silk yarn is then ready for weaving.
5. Design mapping
Craftsmen and designers build a design graph for the finished piece while the yarn is being produced. It could be a hand-drawn or digital illustration. The weavers use this as a rug map so they can replicate the rug pattern precisely and know what colour each knot should be.
6. Weaving on the loom
Hand-knotted rug weaving takes place on a loom. Silk vertical threads are tightly looped between the top and bottom bars of the loom’s wooden frame to create tension. These threads are known as the warps, while weft threads are weaved horizontally through them. The warp and weft threads are what give each rug its structure.
For hand-knotted rugs in Agra, weavers use the symmetrical knot method to weave each knot by hand, row after row. With this technique, each new knot is a continuation of the previous one. It is a laborious procedure known for generating the highest grade rugs.
7. Hand carving the rug
Following weaving, the rug’s initial hand carving is performed using needles and scissors.
8. Washing and cleaning
For finishing, the handwoven rug undergoes multiple washes and cleaning. Using a wooden paddle, any dirt or dust that has gotten tangled in the yarn is carefully removed. The rugs become softer after washing, giving them a richer appearance.
9. Drying and stretching
The cleaned rugs are pinned to a frame and stretched out to dry so that they are the right size. The final drying flattens out any wrinkles in the rug and produces richer, more vibrant colours.
10. Shearing and clipping
Using “Kainchi,” the pile height of the rug is evened out after placing it flat on a smooth surface. The design details are then manually polished up by clipping with scissors, and any uneven threads are plucked away.
11. Binding the edges
Binding the border is the final step. With the aid of a needle and complementary yarn that matches the pattern, the rug’s edges are beautifully bound by hand.
Conclusion
The outcome of these 11 stages is magnificence. The prepared hand-knotted silk rug is exquisite from front to back, where you can see the individual knots and the detailed artistry that went into its creation. Thus, the hand-knotted rugs are treasures that go beyond their monetary worth and are the future’s antiques.
The thing with hand-knotted silk rugs is, that there is a lot of fraud involved in its trade. Obtaining materials made of pure silk is difficult. Instead of genuine silk rugs, many vendors offer you artificial or viscous options. Thus, you need to stay cautious when purchasing silk rugs. It is crucial to do some research about the best places to buy rugs in Agra.
Kalra’s Cottage Industry is here to ease your process of finding the most phenomenal silk rugs from a trusted source. With us, you get assured quality silk carpet hand-brewed by the artisans of Agra at your doorstep in a matter of clicks!
So, shop now for the best quality and latest design silk rugs from our collection to add value to your home interiors!
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