How do Axminster carpets resemble handmade knotted carpets?

Axminster carpets, as originally produced in the 18th century, resembled handmade knotted carpets because they were symmetrically knotted by hand using wool on woolen warps with a weft of flax or hemp. These early Axminster carpets often featured intricate Renaissance architectural or floral patterns, or they mimicked traditional Oriental designs, mirroring the aesthetic qualities of handmade rugs.1

While the term "Axminster" later became a generic name for machine-made carpets, the historical connection to handmade techniques remains significant. Unlike other machine-made varieties such as Wilton or Brussels carpets—which may hide "dead" pile yarn within the body of the carpet—Axminster carpets are constructed so that all pile yarn is used for the surface effect. This efficient use of pile yarn allows for a high degree of design detail and color range, similar to the craftsmanship found in traditional hand-knotted textiles.234