knotted pile

textiles

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

Knotted pile textiles, such as rugs and carpets, are created by tying colored yarns around foundation warp yarns. These knots form a tufted pile that covers one side of the woven foundation. The pile is then sheared to an even height.

There are different types of knots used, including the Turkish (symmetrical) knot, primarily used in Asia Minor, Iran, and Europe, and the Persian (asymmetrical) knot, common in Iran, India, China, and Egypt. The type of knot influences the rug's texture and the clarity of its design. Hand-knotted Oriental rugs, for example, can have a very high density of knots, completely concealing the foundation weave.12

While wool is the most common material for pile, silk is used for luxurious rugs, and other materials like cotton, linen, and jute are used for the foundation. Carpets can also be made without knotted pile, such as kilims, which are woven like tapestries.1

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yurt
The knotted pile rug, first known from a nomad burial at the foot of the Altai Mountains (5th–3rd century bc), probably developed as a fur substitute to provide warmth and sleeping comfort in the yurt.
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The knotted pile rug, first known from a nomad burial at the foot of the Altai Mountains (5th–3rd century bc), probably developed as a fur substitute to provide warmth and sleeping comfort in the yurt.
Read More