South Asian Media Net

Carpets

Kashmiri carpets are world famous for two things - they are hand made and knotted. Carpet weaving in Kashmir was not indigenous but is thought to have come from Persia. Designs are mostly Persian with local variations. The color scheme of the carpets differentiate Kashmiri carpets from other carpets. The colors are subtle and muted. The knotting of a carpet is the most important aspect. In addition to the design of the carpet, the knots per square inch determines the durability and the value of a carpet.

On the loom

Stretched tightly on a frame is the warp of a carpet. The weft threads are passed through, the "talim" or design and color specifications are worked on this. A strand of yarn is looped through the warp and weft, knotted and then cut. The yarn used normally is silk, wool, or silk and wool. Woolen carpets always have a cotton base (warp & weft) and silk carpets usually have cotton base otherwise silk is used

Namdas
Far less expensive than carpets are these colorful floor coverings made from woolen and cotton fibers. The fibers are manually pressed into shape. Chain stitch embroidery in wool or cotton is worked on these rugs.

Chain Stitch and Crewel Work

Chain stitch, be it in wool, silk or cotton is done by hook rather than a needle. The hook is referred as an "ari", it covers a much larger area than a needle work in the same amount of time and has the same quality. All the embroidery is executed on white cotton fabric, pre-shrunk by the manufactures. Tiny stitches are used to cover the entire area, the figures or motifs are worked in striking colors, the background in a single color comprising of series of coin sized concentric circles. These circles impart dynamism and a sense of movement to the design. This work is usually used for making wall hangings.