Once the dyeing process is complete yarn is selected and secured vertically on the loom. These vertical strands form what’s known as the WARP of the carpet. The WEFT of the carpet are strands of yarn woven horizontally through the warp. Although many traditional looms are made of wood, these industrial sized looms offer stability for larger carpets.
WOVEN TOGETHER
CARPET MAKING IN NORTHWEST AFRICALearning to appreciate others traditions can be a way to honor them – even if their language isn't familiar. I love to explore music, handicrafts and especially cuisine. Globalization and new technologies have reached just about every nook and cranny of the world. Yet ancient arts remain. In North Africa, that includes carpet weaving. I stopped by a small weaving operation to investigate.
This view through the warp shows what will become the underside of a completed carpet. The density of spacing between these vertical strands – warp sett – is one of the factors determining the quality of the finished product.
Sitting on a wooden bench stretching the width of the loom, the weaver handles every individual strand of the carpet. There is no automation. The complexity of the pattern, density of knots and finished size of the work affect the weaving time. As I understand it, a large rug (9’x12′) can take up to 6 months or more to weave!
Having a bad hair day? This might not be the comb for you. Known as a DAFTIN or DAFFEH, a traditional carpet weaving comb is an essential tool used to compact rows of weaving.
The type of knot used in your carpet may be an indication of where it was crafted. There are several common symmetrical and asymmetrical knots – Berber, Turkish and Persian among them. Once the knots are hand-tied along a row of weft, the daftin carpet comb is used to compact the weave.
When the weaving is complete, carpets are removed from the loom and moved to the other side of the workshop. At this stage the surface of the carpet is not quite uniform and the fringe or tassels are yet to be tied.
Although an electric trimmer is used to ensure an uniform pile, this master weaver was keen to follow-up with his scissors to make certain everything was to his satisfaction.
In some regions, carpet making may be relegated to one sex or the other. Here, both men and women appeared to have an active role in the process. Learning the craft may actually begin at home followed by work under the supervision of a master weaver.
You may recall that warp is made up of fibers running seamlessly the length of the carpet. The warp is trimmed, then knotted and/or braided to create fringe or tassels. This process helps keep the carpet from unraveling – a worthy endeavor following so much work!!
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