Silk carpets are one of the traditional Iranian arts, renowned worldwide for their beauty and delicacy. These carpets, due to the use of silk threads, have a unique shine and softness. Weaving a silk carpet is a complex and time-consuming process that requires skill and experience. In this article, we will explore the detailed method of weaving a silk carpet.

Raw Materials

1. Silk Thread: Silk threads used in these carpets are obtained from silkworms. They are very fine and lustrous, making them highly prized and expensive.
2. Warp Threads: The warp threads, which form the skeleton of the carpet, are typically made from cotton or silk.
3. Dyes: Natural dyes like madder, indigo, and pomegranate peel are used to color the silk threads.

Tools

1. Carpet Loom: The loom is a frame on which the carpet is woven. These looms can be either vertical or horizontal.
2. Beater (Comb): A tool used to compress and tighten the knots and wefts.
3. Special Scissors: Sharp-tipped scissors used for cutting the threads after each knot.

Weaving Stages

1. Warping: The first stage in carpet weaving is warping. In this stage, the warp threads are attached to the loom. These threads must be parallel and evenly spaced to form the carpet’s skeleton.
2. Knotting: The main part of the carpet is woven by tying knots. Silk carpets usually use Persian knots (or Senneh knots) or Turkish knots (or Ghiordes knots). In each row, the weaver wraps the silk threads around the warp threads and ties the knots with precision and skill.
3. Compressing the Knots: After tying each row of knots, they are compressed using the beater to ensure the carpet is dense and uniform.
4. Cutting the Threads: After compressing the knots, the excess threads are cut with special scissors.
5. Weaving Rows: These steps are continuously repeated until the carpet is completed. Each row of knots forms a single line, and the weaving process continues until the desired number of rows is reached.

Finishing

1. Edge Binding and Trimming: After the weaving is complete, the edges of the carpet are sewn with strong threads to prevent unraveling. The surface of the carpet is then carefully trimmed to make it uniform.
2. Washing and Polishing: Finally, the carpet is washed and polished to brighten and enhance the colors.

Conclusion

Weaving a silk carpet requires precision, patience, and high skill. This beautiful art not only reflects the rich culture and history of Iran but also holds a special place in global markets. Silk carpet weavers create unique masterpieces using high-quality materials and meticulous weaving techniques, showcasing the beauty and artistry of Iranian craftsmanship.