{"id":11534,"date":"2023-01-18T17:15:01","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T20:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/orientacoes-para-com\/how-is-a-carpets-structure-made\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T17:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T20:16:15","slug":"how-is-a-carpets-structure-made","status":"publish","type":"orientacoes-para-com","link":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/rug-education\/how-is-a-carpets-structure-made\/","title":{"rendered":"How is a carpet&#8217;s structure made?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style id=\"fig-font\">.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h2,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h3,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h4,.entry-content h2,.entry-content h3,.entry-content h4{font-family:\"Cormorant Garamond\",Georgia,serif!important;font-weight:600!important}.elementor-widget-theme-post-content p,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content li,.entry-content p,.entry-content li{font-family:\"Jost\",sans-serif!important;font-weight:300!important}<\/style>\n<style id=\"fg-lux\">@import url('https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Cormorant+Garamond:ital,wght@0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,500;1,600&family=Jost:wght@300;400;500&display=swap');\nbody{background:#f4f1eb !important;}\n.elementor-section.elementor-top-section.elementor-element-7a6e902{background-color:#f4f1eb !important;background-image:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;border-bottom-width:0 !important;}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content{font-family:'Jost',-apple-system,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif !important;font-weight:300 !important;color:#3b2d1f !important;}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content p,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content li{font-family:'Jost',sans-serif !important;font-weight:300 !important;color:#3b2d1f !important;line-height:1.82 !important;font-size:16.5px !important;}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h1,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h2,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h3,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content h4,.elementor-widget-theme-post-content .fg-sub{font-family:'Cormorant Garamond',Georgia,serif !important;color:#1c140d !important;font-weight:600 !important;letter-spacing:.005em !important;}\n.elementor-widget-theme-post-content .fg-sub{font-size:28px !important;line-height:1.18 !important;margin:1.7em 0 .5em !important;}\nh1.elementor-heading-title{font-family:'Cormorant Garamond',Georgia,serif !important;font-weight:600 !important;color:#1c140d !important;letter-spacing:.01em !important;}.elementor-widget-theme-post-content>.elementor-widget-container{max-width:1350px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}<\/style>\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\">Warp and weft: the base of every rug<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"fig-auto-img\" style=\"margin:2.4em auto;text-align:center;\"><span class=\"fig-mat\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;box-sizing:border-box;width:300px;height:300px;max-width:100%;background:#fdfdfb;border:1px solid rgba(34,26,18,.14);padding:14px;box-shadow:0 3px 20px rgba(34,26,18,.09);\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/figalli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/c6af4999a76c3ed4ac9d88cab71fa982.jpeg\" alt=\"\" style=\"display:block;max-width:100%;max-height:100%;width:auto;height:auto;\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<p>A carpet\u2019s structure is created through the interlacing of warp and weft threads. The warp, which forms the rug\u2019s base, comprises vertical threads firmly attached to the loom during production. These threads can be made of wool, cotton, or silk, depending on regional preferences and weaver choices.<\/p>\n<p>The weft, composed of rows of knots, is formed by horizontally tying wool threads through the warp. The warp threads are only visible when viewing the rug\u2019s reverse side.<\/p>\n<h2>What types of knots are used to weave a rug?<\/h2>\n<p>Compared to machine-made rugs, handmade rugs are strong and durable. The term \u201chandmade\u201d may sound a little self-explanatory, but it doesn\u2019t tell the whole story of these incredible rugs! There are many types of rug knots. The knots your rug uses can say a lot about its origins.<\/p>\n<p>There are several types of knots in rug making, but two of them are the most common. The type of knot used is largely based on the region, but this is not always the rule and you can find rugs that imitate other regions. This occurs with more modern rugs, where techniques have become more uniform across regions. The most common types are Persian and Turkish knots.<\/p>\n<p>The knot known as senneh knot, asymmetrical knot or <strong>Persian<\/strong> knot is used in all carpets in the eastern and central and southern part of Iran, in India and in Central Asia.<\/p>\n<p>In a Persian knot, one half of the thread is tied tightly around the warp while the other half is left loose. The result of this technique is that the asymmetrical knot can be bunched more tightly than Turkish knots, making Persian ideal for high knot density rugs with extremely detailed patterns. Both ends of the knots are visible on the front of the rug and make up the design you see.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fg-row\" style=\"display:flex;gap:16px;justify-content:center;align-items:flex-start;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:2.2em auto;\">\n<figure class=\"fig-auto-img\" style=\"margin:2.4em auto;text-align:center;\"><span class=\"fig-mat\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;box-sizing:border-box;width:300px;height:300px;max-width:100%;background:#fdfdfb;border:1px solid rgba(34,26,18,.14);padding:14px;box-shadow:0 3px 20px rgba(34,26,18,.09);\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/figalli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/persian-knot_large-nobg.webp\" alt=\"\" style=\"display:block;max-width:100%;max-height:100%;width:auto;height:auto;\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"fig-auto-img\" style=\"margin:2.4em auto;text-align:center;\"><span class=\"fig-mat\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;box-sizing:border-box;width:300px;height:300px;max-width:100%;background:#fdfdfb;border:1px solid rgba(34,26,18,.14);padding:14px;box-shadow:0 3px 20px rgba(34,26,18,.09);\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/figalli.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/turkish-knot_large-nobg.webp\" alt=\"\" style=\"display:block;max-width:100%;max-height:100%;width:auto;height:auto;\"><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The ghiordes knot is also called the <strong>Turkish<\/strong> or symmetrical knot. Turkish knots are most common in rugs made in northwestern Iran, by Kurdish weavers and, of course, in Turkey.<\/p>\n<p>This knot completely envelops both pairs of warp threads and makes an extremely strong and durable rug, but it takes longer to weave than the Persian knot. This strong, symmetrical knot creates a very consistent weave and is generally used on thicker rugs.<\/p>\n<h2>Is one type of knot better than the other?<\/h2>\n<p>Neither Turkish knots nor Persian knots are necessarily better than the others. Both types of rug knots have pros and cons, with each being better suited to the style of rug weavers are accustomed to knotting.<\/p>\n<p>Turkish knots are particularly strong and result in a consistent weave. However, the shape of the Turkish knot makes it difficult to roll or fold rugs. This makes Turkish knots more suitable for thicker rugs with more geometric designs, such as those found in Caucasian rugs.<\/p>\n<p>Persian knots, on the other hand, tend to be more delicate. This makes them perfect for very thin rugs with high knot counts and with smooth or curvy designs.<\/p>\n<h2>And the fringes?<\/h2>\n<p>The base of the rug is formed by the warp, that is, by the threads that run from one end of the loom to the other and are tied to the loom. The fringe of rugs is formed by the remaining ends of these warp threads at both the top and bottom of the rug.<\/p>\n<h3>Quick answers<\/h3>\n<p><strong>What is a rug made of?<\/strong> A hand-knotted rug is built from a warp (the vertical foundation threads), a weft (horizontal threads that lock each row of knots), and the pile knots tied around the warp \u2014 usually wool, often on a cotton or silk foundation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the difference between a Turkish and a Persian knot?<\/strong> The Turkish (ghiordes, symmetrical) knot wraps both warp threads for a strong, bold weave; the Persian (senneh, asymmetrical) knot wraps one and allows finer, more curvilinear designs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do the fringes matter?<\/strong> Yes \u2014 the fringes are the ends of the warp threads, part of the foundation rather than a decorative add-on, which is why they are a sign of genuine hand-knotting.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related:<\/strong> see also <a href=\"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/rug-education\/how-is-a-carpet-made\/\">how a Persian rug is made<\/a>, step by step, and browse the <a href=\"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/shop\/\">Figalli catalogue<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-figalli-links=\"art-en\"><strong>Explore further:<\/strong> browse our <a href=\"\/en\/shop\/\">full collection of antique oriental rugs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-figalli-related=\"1\"><strong>Related reading:<\/strong> <a href=\"\/en\/rug-education\/understanding-the-rugs-backside\/\">Understanding the Rug\u2019s Backside<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/rug-education\/what-does-the-term-antique-mean-in-the-world-of-rugs\/\">What does the term antique mean in the world of rugs?<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/rug-education\/should-i-worry-about-the-imperfections-of-my-antique-rug\/\">Should I worry about the imperfections of my antique rug?<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/rug-education\/are-heriz-and-serapi-identical-rug-types-or-do-they-exhibit-differences\/\">Are Heriz and Serapi identical rug types, or do they exhibit differences?<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/en\/rug-education\/discover-the-cultural-and-artistic-values-of-the-caucasian-kazak-rugs\/\">Discover the cultural and artistic values of the Caucasian Kazak rugs<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"parent":0,"template":"","grupo_conhecimento":[349],"class_list":["post-11534","orientacoes-para-com","type-orientacoes-para-com","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/orientacoes-para-com\/11534","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/orientacoes-para-com"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/orientacoes-para-com"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/orientacoes-para-com\/11534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20238,"href":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/orientacoes-para-com\/11534\/revisions\/20238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"grupo_conhecimento","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figalli.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/grupo_conhecimento?post=11534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}