Traditional Weaving Techniques Preserved at Obeetee

Hand-woven carpets are a labour of love. Each thread is grasped, delicately crossed over and knotted, producing a constellation of tiny knots to build a larger tapestry. Carpets have been woven for millennia, and the Pazyryk rug, unearthed in 1947 and attributed to Central Asian civilizations, is one of the oldest known rugs in existence. With a knot density of a whopping 360,000 knots per square metre - a magnificent display for the nobleman whose grave the carpet was found in - the Pazyryk rug represents the cultural genesis of the fine art of carpet weaving. At OBEETEE, our 104-year legacy of carpet crafting rests on the preservation of the tradition of hand-weaving. Each design produced by our artisans reflects centuries of cultural inheritance, with generations of weavers partaking in legacy conservation and creation.

Each handwoven carpet at OBEETEE is unique. Pieces with the same designs come with minor variations in size, colour, and design, the bespoke production process imbuing the carpet with character. At OBEETEE, we preserve tradition by using three distinct techniques of hand-making carpets: hand-weaving, hand-tufting, and flat weaving. Modern takes on classic carpet designs, such as Persian and Oriental patterns, replicate ancient weaving techniques like hand-knotting.

Hand-weaving, the oldest and most laborious technique, came to India with the Mughals and requires a loom with a horizontal metal rod, adjusted to the size of the carpet. To weave the carpet, the loom requires two settings of yarn - the warp and the weft - which allow the weaver to create knots starting from the bottom of the carpet. The warp refers to threads of yarn stretched vertically from the horizontal metal rod to create the canvas upon which the weft can be attached horizontally to make the fabric of the carpet. Modern hand-knotted carpets can have knot densities ranging from 80,000 to 5,00,000-10,00,000 knots per square metre. OBEETEE’s contemporary interpretation of the Pazyryk, the original hand-knotted carpet from Central Asia, uses the technique to pay homage to where it came from. With motifs of elks and horsemen framing the deep reds and oranges on this piece, this rug represents a piece of history that you, too, can admire in your home.

https://www.obeetee.in/products/pazyryk-hand-knotted-woollen-rug-1.

Less skill-intensive techniques include hand-tufting, where threads are not technically woven, but instead pushed into a canvas; and flat-weaving, which also uses a loom with a horizontal metal rod. Flat-woven rugs require the loom to be placed against the floor, allowing the weaver to interlace the warp and the weft rather than knot them. This technique allows the back of the carpet to be woven as well, resulting in a reversible carpet with colourful patterns replicated on both sides. Flat-woven rugs are versatile - they can be folded and moved around, even placed outdoors, and can be made from a wider range of materials than hand-woven and hand-tufted carpets.

Flat weaving, believe it or not, is not a modern technique and can be found in traditional carpet designs from several regions including Dhurries from South Asia, Soumaks from the Caucasus region and Kilims from the Middle East. Continuing the tradition of flat-weaving allows OBEETEE to offer these classic designs at affordable prices. Take a look at our Striped Jute Flat Weave Dhurrie, with pure jute fibres striped in beige and mint green to add a subtle finish to your home.

https://www.obeetee.in/products/striped-jute-flat-weave-dhurrie

Finally, hand-tufting, the outlier of all of our weaving techniques, begins with a canvas stretched on a frame. The weaver holds a hand-operated tool through which woollen thread is punched into the canvas. Once the rug is removed from the frame, lightweight scrim fabric is glued to the back. This method results in durable rugs with more intricate designs than flat-woven rugs, comparable in design yet more affordable than hand-knotted rugs. The durability of these rugs suits both more traditional patterns, as well as more modern, minimalistic styles such as our Winnie Hand Tufted Woollen and Cotton Rug, where a cream base is accented by an abstract ochre design.

https://www.obeetee.in/products/winnie-hand-tufted-woollen-and-cotton-rug

Preserving these handmade carpet crafting techniques, though laborious, is part of OBEETEE’s legacy. Our designs allow us to replicate tradition, while also innovating towards more contemporary styles, even finding a middle ground with transitional designs. Explore our collection in-store at our flagship locations, or online at obeetee.in to test your newfound expertise.