Designing is often the first step, where the rug's pattern, colors, and size are determined. This can be done by a designer or based on traditional patterns.
High-quality materials are crucial for hand-knotted rugs. Common materials include wool, silk, and cotton. The choice of material affects the rug's texture, durability, and appearance.
If the design involves specific colors, the yarn may need to be dyed accordingly. Natural or synthetic dyes can be used, and this step requires precision to achieve the desired color shades.
The selected materials go through carding and spinning processes to prepare the fibers for weaving. This helps align the fibers and create a consistent texture.
A loom is set up, and the warp (vertical threads) is stretched tightly. The weaver then begins knotting the pile (horizontal threads) by hand. This is a time-consuming process, and the density of knots can affect the rug's quality.