CARPET AND RUG WEAVING TECHNIQUES

CARPET AND RUG WEAVING TECHNIQUES

There are various knotting techniques and weaving methods used in weaving carpets. These techniques and their characteristics are as follows:

1. Turkish Gordes Knot

Named after the Gördes district of Manisa, this knot technique is based on knotting a double warp. The ends of the yarn wrap around the back of both warps and are quickly pulled through the middle, creating a tight and durable knot. It is mostly used for weaving geometric patterned carpets. The Turkish-Gördes knot is known for its strength and has been a preferred weaving technique since ancient times.

The Turkish-Gördes knot is known as the double warp knotting technique. The ends of the yarn are pulled quickly through the middle, wrapping around the back of both warps. This method creates a very tight and strong knot. After the knot is tied, two wefts are passed over it and tightened with kirkite.

The special feature of this knotting technique is that it is suitable for weaving geometric patterned carpets. The Turkish-Gördes knot is a weaving technique that has been used since ancient times and is known for its durability. It has been frequently preferred in the weaving of Turkish carpets from ancient times to the present day.

The Turkish-Gördes knot is considered an important part of Turkish carpet weaving, and carpets woven with this technique are generally high quality and durable products. This knot technique is important for maintaining the heritage of Turkish carpet art and preserving traditional weaving techniques.

2. Iran-Sine Knot

Named after the city of Sine in western Iran, this technique again uses two warp threads. One end of the colored wool yarn is tied to the warp and the other end is wrapped around the weft of the other warp and left in front to the right or left. This method ensures a soft weave and reduces the number of knots per square decimeter. It is preferred for weaving thin, elegant and soft carpets.

Main Plain Weaving Techniques

1. Rug Technique 

As the wefts travel back and forth in certain motif areas, they loop around the double warp and return. This creates the most recognizable type of kilim called "buttonhole kilim".

The Kilim technique is one of the flat weaving methods and is traditionally used in the production of hand-woven carpets and rugs. Kilim is a type of fine and stiffly woven carpet, usually made from natural fibers such as wool, cotton or silk.

Unlike other carpet weaving techniques, the kilim technique is made by threading colored yarns between the weft and warp yarns to create a pattern. As the weft yarns pass back and forth between the warp yarns, colored yarns are crossed in certain motif areas to create a pattern. These crossings form the patterns on the front side of the rug.

In the rug technique, the weft and warp yarns are usually of the same thickness and of the same material. Different colored weft threads are used to create the patterns and the weft threads are passed through the warp threads in a specific order to create the motifs.

Kilims are often decorated with various motifs such as geometric patterns, floral motifs, animal figures or abstract patterns. Rug weaving is an art that requires manual dexterity and detailed work and is considered an important part of cultural heritage.

Today, rugs are produced both by traditional hand-woven methods and by industrial weaving machines. However, the value of traditional hand-woven rugs remains, along with the continuation of craftsmanship and traditional weaving techniques.

2. Cicim Technique

Usually woven by two people, the motifs are created by passing the yarn from front to back. The colored threads run diagonally between the warp threads and give the appearance of being embroidered.

The characteristic of this technique is that the threads that make up the weave cross to form a pattern. Carpets woven with the Cicim technique attract attention with their distinctive patterns and striking color combinations.

Cicim weaving technique is usually performed by two people. The yarns are crossed in a certain order to create a pattern by passing through the warp yarns. As a result of this process, the colored yarns circulating over the patterns create a fluffy appearance on the surface of the carpet. For this reason, cicim woven carpets have a remarkable textural and visual effect.

Cicim technique is generally used in the production of traditional hand-woven carpets and rugs. The cicim technique used in carpets and rugs may vary according to geographical regions and cultural heritage. Patterns, colors and materials used often vary depending on regional characteristics.

Cicim woven carpets are considered traditional handicrafts and are often preserved as part of the local cultural heritage. Today, carpets produced with the cicim weaving technique are valued and appreciated by collectors as works of art as well as for decorative purposes.

3. Zili (Sili) Technique

In the Zili technique, weft and warp threads are filled with colored yarns and motifs are embroidered. It is suitable for linear and geometric patterns.

This technique is a traditional method used especially in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey and some Middle Eastern countries.

In the Zili technique, a pattern is created by passing colored yarns between the weft and warp yarns during the weaving process of the carpet. In the process of creating the pattern, a certain arrangement is made on the warp yarns and patterns are created with colored yarns while the weft yarns are passed between the warps.

Zili technique is especially used to create linear and geometric patterns. This technique is preferred to add aesthetic and visual richness to rugs and carpets. Carpets woven with the Zili technique attract attention with their special patterns and striking color combinations.

Carpets produced with the Zili technique are usually hand-woven and are considered traditional handicrafts. These carpets are preserved as part of the local cultural heritage and are often among the regionally recognized carpet varieties.

Carpets woven with the Zili technique are not only used for home decoration but are also considered as works of art. Zili technique carpets, each one made with care, are considered an indication of traditional handicrafts and craftsmanship.

4. Sumak (Verneh) Technique:

In the Sumak technique, a third colored thread is used in addition to the weft and warp threads. The threads are wound between the other threads. This technique is woven from the reverse side of the warp. This technique is traditionally used in regions such as the Middle East, Caucasus and Anatolia.

In the sumac technique, a third thread is used in addition to the weft and warp threads. This third thread is passed between the weft and warp threads to create a pattern and patterns are created with a certain arrangement. This process, usually done with colored yarns, creates a fluffy and visually rich texture on the surface of the carpet.

Unlike other weaving techniques such as cicim and zili, sumac technique is not created by passing weft yarns through warp yarns, but by winding them on warp yarns. This method makes the patterns especially detailed and colorful.

Carpets woven with the sumac technique are usually durable and sumptuous, and are often used to make items for home decoration, such as wall hangings, pillows or paintings.

This traditional weaving technique is considered part of the handicraft tradition and is handled with care by craftsmen. Each sumac weaving is considered a cultural expression and a work of art.

These techniques are used to create different patterns and textures in carpet and rug weaving.

Other Knot Techniques:

1.Spanish (Guedinburg) Knot:

The Spanish knot is one of the techniques of carpet and rug weaving and is sometimes called "Gaudena", "Gaudina" or "Gaudine". It is a weaving technique used in Spanish-speaking regions, especially in the Catalonia region of Spain and some other regions. This knotting technique is used especially in the making of traditional carpets, also known as Catalan carpets.

The Spanish knot is different from the knotting techniques used by Turkish and Persian weavers. In this technique, each knot is formed between two different warp threads and the yarn is tied between the double warps. Carpets woven in this way create a characteristic texture and pattern.

The Spanish knot is considered an important part of the handicraft tradition, especially in Catalonia and other parts of Spain. Traditional Spanish carpets are noted for the unique patterns and colors achieved with this special weaving technique.

However, this knotting technique is generally less known and less widely used than the knotting techniques used by Turkish or Persian weavers. As such, it is not a technique that carpet weavers or collectors are likely to encounter often.

2. Hekim Knot

The Hekim knot is a knotting technique used in carpet and rug weaving, especially in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions of Turkey. The Hekim knot is similar to the Turkish Gördes knot, which is widely used in carpet weaving, but has some differences.

In the Hekim knot, the end of the thread threaded between two warp threads is pulled from the center and wrapped behind both warps. This makes the knot tight and durable. A weft is then threaded between the ends of the threads and tightened with a kirkit.

The Hekim knot, like the Turkish-Gördes knot, provides a strong weave and is an important technique for traditional Turkish carpets. However, since different weaving regions and cultural contexts use different knotting techniques, the Hekim knot is particularly specific to certain regions.

This knotting technique is a traditional method used in the production of hand-woven carpets and rugs and plays an important role in regional carpet production and the preservation of cultural heritage.

3. Noppen Weaving Technique

The Noppen weaving technique is a special weaving technique used in the process of weaving carpets and rugs. "Noppen" means "ball" or "lump" in German and in this technique, lumps are formed on the surface of the carpet.

In the Noppen weaving technique, raised or raised patterns are created in certain areas of the carpet or rug. These patterns are achieved by weaving yarns of a specific pattern onto the main fabric. The woven yarns are placed in a raised position on the main fabric and woven to create a specific pattern.

The Noppen weaving technique is often used to add decorative elements or emphasize patterns in carpets or rugs. This technique is a weaving method used to enrich the aesthetic appearance of carpets and rugs.

The Noppen weaving technique is especially preferred to emphasize certain patterns or to increase the visual appeal of the carpet. This technique is a special weaving technique that requires mastery in the field of handicrafts in carpet and rug weaving.