Woolen Pile Carpets - Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is located in the north and has the advantage of producing apparel grade wool, the finest of all wool grades. In this, a large section of people is involved in sheep rearing and the production of wool. Wool weaving is a traditional skill in this mountainous region. The wool is dyed in natural colours and then woven into colourful carpets and rugs with traditional designs of the region.
The wool is extracted from the Lena goat (a high altitude goat from the valley of Tibet) and Marino sheep. Wool is traditionally bought from the Bhotiya shepherds. The Bhotiyas actually run a cottage industry of carpet weaving. They spin and weave the wool of the sheep and goats they rear and make carpets and garments like sweaters, shawls etc. The wool is cleaned with a wild fruit called Pangar( something like soapnut) as a natural detergent.
List of Tools and Raw Materials:
• Wool: The basic material for Tibetan rugs and carpet is wool. The wool is the soul of the rug.
• Cotton: It is used as a foundation for the carpet.
• Takli: Drop spindle (wool spindles).
• Vertical Loom: It is used to weave the carpet.
• Mallet: It is used to hammer the knots after every row is finished.
• Knife: It is used to cut the woolen tread while weaving.
• Long Pointed Scissors: It is used in the trimming process.
