Introducing a beautiful handmade carpet is a sure-shot way of jazzing up any boring living space. A sign of luxury and sophistication, handmade rugs are pleasing to the eye and convey a sense of artistic elegance. If you want to purchase a rug, it is easy to get confused among the various kinds of hand-tufted and knotted carpets available in the market.
The difference between handtufted and handknotted carpets lies in the production method, quality, durability, and price. Read on to understand some factors you should consider while purchasing your next rug.
What are Handtufted Carpets?
Handtufted rugs are created by stretching a piece of canvas on a frame. A design is traced on the canvas, and the artisan uses a tufting gun or a tool to punch the yarn into the canvas according to the pattern. This method is less laborious when compared to hand-knotted carpets, takes less time, and requires less expertise. The scrim backing on the carpet's back is the most obvious sign that a rug is handtufted. A fringe is applied using glue or is sewn onto the rug.
What are Handknotted Carpets?
A handknotted rug is a true handmade masterpiece. The most talented carpet weavers create it using ancient carpet weaving methods, one knot at a time. These artistic rugs are of the highest quality and durable enough for you to walk on. Each handknotted rug is unique and is woven on a loom, one knot at a time. It is made with cotton, silk, wool, and bamboo silk.
These handmade carpets are characterized by a flatter pile, and the number of knots within every square inch that is visible at the back of these carpets determines their quality. A carpet is of a higher quality if it has more knots per square inch.
Depending on the complexity of the design, a handknotted carpet goes through 18 or more steps, can have around two million knots, and takes six to ten months or more to be finished.
Are Handknotted & Handtufted Carpets the Same or Different?
The only similarity between handknotted and handtufted rugs is that they are both handmade. Both types of rugs have different manufacturing processes that vary in complexity, the time required to complete, and the amount of expertise needed to make a handmade carpet.
The production method also affects how long they last and how much they cost. We will now explain the difference between handtufted and handknotted carpets.
Difference between Handtufted and Handknotted Carpets
Here are the distinctions between the two kinds of handmade carpets.
Back of the Carpet
The top stack of the knots on a handknotted rug should be a replica of the same on the reverse of the carpet. Every knot is visible on these rugs, and the knots should be measured per square inch.
Handtufted carpets, on the other hand, have a canvas glued together on the back to hold the rug in place. Handtufted rugs are not pounded, and thus knot count cannot be observed or determined.
Texture and Durability
Instead of a particular method, the material selected for the rugs determines how the rug will feel. In general, handtufted and handknotted carpets have a thicker, slightly coarser feel. They have great resistance to pressure.
However, handtufted rugs are not meant to last a lifetime. You can buy a tufted rug every few years to keep up with fashion. The rug is not damaged by use but won't survive more than three years.
Handknotted carpets are memorabilia that lasts generations due to their quality and weaving technique.
The Fringe
A rug's production method is discernible by the way its fringe appears. A handknotted rug's fringe plays a crucial role in its creation. The fringe is organically created when the rug is handknotted, and the leftover pieces are kept as adornment. The fringe is an extremely crucial component of handknotted carpets as it holds the rug together.
Unlike handknotted rugs, the fringe is glued or sewn onto handtufted carpets to give them an authentic appearance.
Cost
Although quality is the main distinction between handtufted and handknotted carpets, costs will reflect the differences. The price of a rug increases with quality. Which style of carpeting works best may also depend significantly on your budget. The material and size of the carpet, in addition to the weaving style, will affect the cost.
- Handknotted Carpets
A handknotted carpet is substantially more expensive because it is handmade, highly durable, and unique. Since these rugs are collectable works of art and are in high demand, their value is rising.
- Handtufted Carpets
A handtufted rug's cost might differ depending on its size, pattern, and materials. Despite being automated, the designs are still moderately priced, making them perfect for first-time buyers who want to give a space a touch of class, warmth, and elegance.
Which Rug is Good for Your Space?
Durability is one of the obvious benefits of choosing a handknotted. A handknotted carpet's superior craftsmanship ensures that it will last for many generations and become an heirloom. Even though it costs more than a handtufted rug, it offers superior value and is a valuable collector's item. Additionally, a handknotted one will perform better than a handtufted one in locations with high traffic and movement.
A handtufted rug will fit you better if you have to buy carpets frequently or are decorating on a tight budget. You may replace handtufted carpets more quickly and keep up with their design trends.
Conclusion
If you are looking for unique handmade carpets, you can check out Carpet Couture By Rashi for elegant, exquisitely crafted carpets that are perfect for your living spaces.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between handknotted and handtufted rugs?
The main difference between the two kinds lies in the technique of production. Expert weavers make handknotted carpets by weaving each knot on the loom by hand. Handtufted carpets are created by artisans using a tufting gun.
2. Why are handtufted rugs so expensive?
Handtufted carpets are costly because they are made entirely by hand, and there is no aspect of automation. Each carpet is unique, and they also last for generations. The craftsmanship and quality of each rug make them a collector's item.
3. How do you tell if a rug is handtufted?
By looking at the back of the carpet, you can understand if it is handtufted or not. Unlike a handknotted carpet, handtufted carpets have a canvas glued to the back of the rug and do not have any knots.
