Knotting

This technique has changed very little since the Mughals introduced it. It involves using a special loom, where the warp is set as the base of the carpet and the design is taken across the weft using colored threads, determined by the design. The quality of a hand-knotted carpet is determined by the number of knots per square inch.

Tufting

A hand-tufted rug is made by punching strands of wool using a hand-operated tool into a canvas that is stretched on a frame. This is accomplished with the help of a hand-operated tool. After piling with wool, the rug is removed from the frame and a scrim fabric is glued to the back, while a fringe is added by either sewing on, or gluing.

Flat Weaving

Created by interlacing warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads. The threads are woven on a loom into colourful patterns, without the pile or backing you would find on knotted or tufted rugs. Flat weaves tend to be lighter and more flexible. They are easier to manage, fold, or move and are reversible — since the pattern is the same on both sides of the rug.

Made by craftspeople with 500 years of lineage in weaving

Over the past 5 centuries, the artisans of Bhadohi have watched their fathers weave, and then apprenticed to become gifted weavers themselves. The tradition of carpet-weaving here, is truly in their blood.

Artisans that travelled down from Persia via the Grand Trunk Road brought with them the intricate art of hand-knotting carpets and passed their skills down to the craftsman here.

Mirzapur

WFH SINCE 1920

Where carpets are not woven in factories, rather in the comfort of the weavers home.

Mirzapur and Bhadohi district are the oldest hub of carpet-weaving in India. It makes up 60 percent of the sub-continents rug-making industry.

From our headquarters in Mirzapur, our production officers visit each loom, at least once every fortnight. The looms are spread over 100,000 sq. km., stretching across 7 villages.

STEPS IN CARPET MAKING

INSPIRATION

The process begins by building the story of each collection. This is created in conjunction with trend forecasts, colour schemes, and thematic explorations.

DESIGN

Our design department, which is the backbone of our rug creation process, has an intimate understanding of the weaving medium and knowledge of contemporary art and design.

Combining fresh perspectives on traditional crafts with state-of-the-art design technology, they push the boundaries of colour, texture and pattern to make authentic designs and visual masterpieces.

COLOUR

Based on the naksha created, our team of experts makes the colours from an array of pigments to match the design. We have the capabilities to customise colours of up to 100 shades of the same hue. Our research will allow us to add more colour pigments.

LAB TESTING

At Obeetee, enormous effort goes into getting the quality right. There are several tests at every stage of the process – from testing the raw material to matching and standardising the colours.

DYEING

Different types of fibres need different methods of dyeing. There are over 1000 machines of different capacities. The dyeing procedures are followed in an eco-friendly manner, keeping in mind social accountability.

Naksha

The naksha serves as the masterplan for a carpet. Although they were previously painted by hand, these are now rendered using state-of-the-art CAD systems.

preparing the loom

The loom is the foundation of the carpet. The weavers prepare the loom with the predetermined number of warps (taana) for the loom through which the yarns would be woven. Our authorities make sure that the correct yarn tufts, nakshas, and material are supplied to the weavers.

The wefts (bana) are systematically hung in a ball (kabli) before they start the daily work (dehadi).

weaving

Weaving is a highly skilled process where some weavers can tie up to 9000 knots tied in a day, and some carpets take up to a year to be completely woven. Tools used: chura is a metal blade, forged to cut the knots evenly without damaging the yarn

washing

The washing processes define the final look and feel of the carpet. It cleans off foreign particles and gives the carpet a soft lustre. This also prevents shrinkage and shredding. There are several finishes that are exclusive to Obeetee.

Offlooming & preparing for Bazaar

Different types of fibres need different methods of dyeing. There are over 1000 machines of different capacities. The dyeing procedures are followed in an eco-friendly manner, keeping in mind social accountability.

inspection

There is an inspection during the weaving process as well as once the carpet is taken off the loom. Firstly, the puttha (carpet back) is checked with the corresponding naksha to see if the pattern has been woven correctly.

final approval

The carpets are approved by the designer for a final go ahead

A single Bhadohi carpet can boast up to 300 knots per sq. inch. That’s right, 300!