Woolen Carpets - Dharchula
Carpet weaving is an important source of income for the displaced Tibetan Community in Dharchula. Wool is traditionally bought from Dehradun. Small industries sell the dyed wool in the local market. Carpet weaving is mainly done by women artisans.
Foundation of the carpet weaving is done by cotton thread. Two threads are spun together into one woolen ball. The rugs and carpet are woven in the Knotting System. It is woven on a vertical loom made of rose wood. Present time people prefer using weaving loom made of iron. The loom consists of two vertical poles that are fixed by a horizontal base for loom rigidity. The woolen yarn is loomed with two warp thread with the help of a weaving rod from one end to another.
Once a row is completed the rod is hammered to tight against the row below. The weaver then cuts along the rod with a pair of pointed scissors or a cutter, cutting open the pile. The threads are trimmed simultaneously after each row is weaved. The rod is removed and the row is beaten down with a fork like tool known as panja against the previous row and continued weaving. The weaver follows the weaving map and graph to ensure accurate shape, size and design of the carpet. Tibetan motifs are used as design and weaved on the carpet.
Vibrant colored woolen threads are used to make the carpet look attractive. It takes months to complete one carpet weaving. Once the weaving is complete the carpet is washed with detergent and dried in the sun. The carpet is stretched on all side and is tied over a metal frame for about a day to insure to its proper shape and size. The finished rug is now ready for packing.
The Making Process:
