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Journal

Rug Finishing Processes

15 Feb 2021

RUG FINISHING PROCESSES

Once the weaving is complete and the rug has been removed from the loom a number of processes are carried out in order to achieve the exquisite finish of our quality hand-knotted rugs. The treatment of the rug post-loom works to secure the weaving as well as enhance the overall design. Knots Rugs works with producers in Nepal and Jaipur who use the following processes to ensure that the intricacies of the weaving and design are amplified within the final piece.

WASHING

Washing the rug once it has been woven is an essential stage in the finishing process as it removes any dust and/or dirt that may have collected amongst the knotted yarn during its production. The washing of the rug also ensures that the dyes have properly bound to the yarn and guarantees that a colourfast piece is achieved.

STRETCHING

Once washed, the rug is then stretched out and stitched onto a metal frame. The frames are left outside, allowing for the water to be evaporated by the natural light. This stretching minimises the chance of shrinkage caused by the washing stage and takes between 3 to 5 days for the rug to be completely dry.

CLIPPING


After it has fully dried the rug is meticulously clipped by hand, allowing for clarity and definition within the final piece. Precise clipping ensures that colour shifts and design details within the rug are distinct. At this stage, the height of the pile is determined and an additional high/low clipping technique can be used to create a dynamic 3D effect.

VINTAGE EFFECT

 

Knots Rugs uses a vintage effect on a number of our pieces, creating an antique feel through specialist production methods. The vintage texture emulates the antique qualities of an heirloom rug, heightening the sense of opulence within any space.

FRINGING
Fringing is created using two methods. The first uses the extended warp threads as the fringing itself, meaning that the twists are directly integrated into the original weaving. It is also possible to attach a row of fringing onto the rug after the weaving has been complete.
OXIDISATION
 
Oxidisation is a chemical process that takes 2 to 3 days to complete. The rug is submerged in a chemical solution which reacts with the wool to create a worn effect on the surface. Knots Rugs 17th Century designs use this technique which emphasises the antique qualities of the piece.

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