Handmade carpets

Features of comfort and design of the apartment are often provided with carpets. People have been using carpets for more than two thousand years, such products have been described in the works of ancient Greek historians, and during archaeological excavations in the East, a carpet was found that served even the tribes of the Scythians. Ancient carpets have always been expensive, as they were woven by hand, from natural threads - wool and silk.

Experts say that today handicrafts are on the 15th place in terms of the popularity of investing money. After reading this article, you will learn how to choose the right carpet and not be fooled by the expectations.

Today, carpets are used to decorate the apartment and to warm the floor. This highlight in the room has many advantages:

• beautiful decor element;
• sound insulation;
• creating comfort in the room;
• an indicator of wealth owners.

Carpets can vary in different forms and be made from different threads. Especially appreciated, of course, handmade carpets. It is clear that they are quite expensive. However, acquiring an exquisite Oriental rug, you can be sure that you have made a successful purchase: such products will last a long time and will always be in fashion. Such carpets always delight the eye with unusual patterns, it is pleasant and warm to walk on them.

Today, manufacturers offer carpets that vary in shape and quality: oval and square, round and in the shape of a walkway. Carpets can be placed in the living room and in the bedroom, they can be hung on the wall or decorate the space in the hall.

If you decide to decorate your room with a hand-made carpet, you need to remember some of the features so as not to be deceived and not buy a fake, albeit made practically as we would like.

It is very important to remember the next moment. "Manual" carpets are different from the factory in many ways:

• If your product has a fringe, look carefully at how it is attached to the main canvas - if it is sewn, the carpet was made on the machine. Fringe hand carpets are a continuation of the product itself.
• For rectangular or square models, the side winding is not perfectly shaped. On products of machine work such a winding is flat and smooth.
• At the base of the pile of handmade carpets there are always knots.
• The lack of marking on the seamy side also suggests that the carpet is made by hand. On factory products such tag is required.
• Some defects may be present in the handmade products: craftsmen can simply skip a small detail in the ornament.
• Hand-made products are always made from natural fibers, and factory-made products - from synthetics.
• The color of the thread in handicrafts may also be uneven.

The real "author's" products are easily bent - unlike the factory ones, since in the latter the glue base is always used.

Handmade carpets are made of various materials:

• Most often - from the wool of the sheep. The right choice of wool, high-quality yarn manufacturing will allow you to get a wonderful product that can serve its owners for decades.
• Also products are woven from goat or camel wool. Such carpets are usually made in dark colors, as this wool is not very easy to dye. When choosing wool, it is very important whether it is cut from a young animal or from an old one. In the first case, the thread is soft and elastic.
• Cotton is a material that also makes beautiful handmade carpets. Cotton thread is very durable, it is not subjected to deformation, as it is less elastic than wool.
• Carpets made from silk. The thread obtained from the silkworm cocoon is very thin, it is used if there are complex elements of the pattern in the pattern of the carpet.

Technique of manufacturing masterpieces for many years has not changed. The main rule: the need for warmth of human hands, in the world there are no two absolutely identical products made by hand.

You need to know that initially there are three types of handicrafts: with a nap, a pile and felt.

Handmade carpets are woven and woven. In woven carpets there are knots on the base threads. In such carpets, fringe and pile are of different lengths.

If the needlewoman weaves the carpet on the machine, these products have no pile. Pile products are the most difficult to manufacture. This product requires three threads:

• thread for the base;
• ducks - carpet knot;
• fixing thread.

Some models have to work simultaneously on several models at once.

There are several types of nodes:

• double turkish;
• Berber;
• Persian single - used for ornamental plant themes;
• Spanish (4 threads);
• Tibetan.

Lint-free products, which are also woven by hand, do not require so many subtleties. In their production using only two threads.

Today everyone can choose any products they like. It all depends on your financial capabilities - you can decorate the home with antique, vintage or designer handmade carpets.

Persian products are distinguished by an elegant pattern and incomparable color range. Usually they are made of sheep wool, which is dyed with natural dyes - from walnut shells, from wood of trees, vine leaves, even from sour milk.

The choice of the pattern of an old Persian carpet is a whole story, masters never choose a random plot. Typically, the ornament of such design products - a tribute to Islamic culture. For example, in various fractures of plants one can read suras from the Koran, uneven, wavy lines - this is water, which for Muslims means a symbol of peace, and various circles - the infinity of the universe.

Antique coatings - products that have always been valued. This, of course, implies a high price and wear of the pile, but in some cases it even gives the product a special charm. Try to find out whether the whole carpet or during the restoration part of the product "diligently" cut off.

As mentioned above, the carpets are woven from wool, silk and cotton. Mandatory requirement - all threads must be natural, without synthetics.

In addition to the chic “oases” (as Persian carpets are called in different colors and shapes), it is also important to focus on palaces – This is the most inexpensive kind of similar products.

Usually, the carpets were woven in solid colors, sometimes in stripes. Externally, the carpet resembles a cloth, this appearance is created by a special interweaving of threads.

In ancient times, people decorated their homes with felt carpets. It is also made from sheep wool, a natural material. Such a product perfectly kept warm in nomadic yurts.

Felt served as an excellent insulating material, not allowing moisture to penetrate into the home. By the way, such carpets were replaced and a blanket. The manufacture of felt products by hand is very labor intensive. Patterns were of two types - felted and mosaic.

Thanks to the various forms of carpets you can decorate them with any interior of your room. Products can be rectangular, round, oval:

• Of course, the most common are rectangular or square covers. They come in different sizes, depending on this - have different names. In Persia, the smallest 60 × 80 rugs were placed in front of the entrance door, they were called “Padari”.
• Carpets are also very popular at this time. Such a product can be an element of decor, and in some cases - its main element.

• Round products are much less common than rectangular. The most ancient of carpets, known today and sold for millions of dollars, was made in the 16th century in Egypt.
• Oval models greatly diversify your home. True, such a handmade model is very expensive. The main element of such a product is a central medallion framed with fancy patterns.
• Ideal square handmade carpet is very difficult to find. In the "manual" products there is always a slight deviation from the exact dimensions.

Of course, manufacturers of luxury handmade products are now very much. If you decide to purchase a quality product, it is better to turn to those who have been doing this for more than a dozen years:

• Turkish products made of New Zealand wool are highly professional and beautiful. Traditionally used colors: blue, green, shades of red. The peculiarity of Turkish carpets is two-weave weaving.
• Companies from Azerbaijan can be attributed to modern manufacturers that have won the carpet market. Such products are characterized by high density. Various products are made in Azerbaijan: palaces and so on.

• Afghan carpets have long been known to handmade connoisseurs. Afghans weave wool into the fabric base of products. Silk afghan products are also popular. In no way inferior and models of astrakhan wool. Traditional colors: red, black.
• The rich tradition of carpet and craftsmen from Siberia. Tyumen craftswomen known since the 16th century. Their modern products are striking brightness of colors, but the main "chip" is a black field on which bright flowers bloom.

When choosing a carpet product, one must remember that the most important thing in it is not only design and form, but also the material from which it is woven. And density is by no means an indicator, the main thing is wool, silk, and their quality.It is important, from what animal the wool is cut, that it was added. From this depends on the elasticity of the material. If you step on a product, there should not be a visible print on it.

If the store where you stay, works only with professionals, you will be offered a quality certificate. Exclusive expensive carpets characterizes and inability to break - when twisting, they should not lose their appearance.

Well, the last tip - silk products can be checked by carefully separating a piece of thread and setting it on fire. The smell of burning hair indicates the high quality of the product.

If there is some furniture in your room, then a large carpet will look perfect in it.

If you decide to lay the cover in the dining room, it should be wider and longer than the kitchen table. The floor carpet in the living room should be placed in front of the sofa, because even on it you can so comfortably sit on cold evenings.

Oval carpets can repeat the shape of the same ceiling - this will create a harmonious picture in your interior.

Round floor products can soften sharp corners and create a small cozy area in your room.

Hang the handmade covering on the wall in the living room - this solution is suitable for both classic style and decoration in the spirit of the East.

You will learn more about the features of handmade carpets in the following video.