A craft unchanged for two thousand years

Among the myriad traditional crafts

which technique has remained virtually unchanged for two millennia?

It is

the hand-knotting technique of carpet weaving.

Archaeological discoveries reveal

that whether it's the renowned Pazyryk carpet

or Han Dynasty carpets from Xinjiang,

their weaving structures remain nearly identical to modern carpets.

This means the knotting technique reached maturity two millennia ago—

not only in China, but also in other carpet-producing nations.

Knot weaving transforms carpets into resilient three-dimensional textiles

capable of expressing intricate designs

while providing moisture resistance and warmth.

Even with today's technological advancements,

machine-made carpets still cannot replace the status of hand-knotted rugs.

For millennia,

the figure-eight knot and horseshoe knot have remained the most commonly used knotting techniques—

a tradition upheld in Chinese, Persian, and Turkish carpets alike.

The interlacing of warp and weft threads forms the foundation of textile structure.

Knot weaving adds “pile” to this foundation—

wrapping wool or silk yarn around two warp threads,

then cutting or shearing them to create raised tufts.

A carpet consists of hundreds of millions of such tufts:

From point to plane

Whereas plain weave fabrics are woven from thread to plane

Thus, the weaving speed of plain weave fabrics is hundreds to thousands of times faster than knotting.

The concept for the compact loom originated over a decade ago.

Many visitors to the studio expressed interest in trying carpet weaving.

Traditional looms are bulky and cumbersome.

A compact, lightweight loom would greatly enhance accessibility for hands-on experiences.

The design of the compact loom

draws inspiration from traditional looms of China, Iran, and Turkey.

It aims to replicate all functions of larger looms

while simplifying the operating techniques.

The loom resembles a multi-stringed instrument,

Where multicolored threads become silent notes.

Weaving is the performance of transforming chaos into order,

A meditative process where heart and hand harmonize.

The three-dimensional structure of knotted fabrics

gives them a completely different appearance and texture compared to plain weave fabrics.

Soft Gem—

Inspired by opal gemstones,

woven from silk and wool,

it reveals shifting hues and luster when viewed from different angles.

Baby penguin and puppy—

The nap formed by knotting

perfectly mimics the fur on small animals,

making one irresistibly want to touch it.

Tea mat crafted from knotted fabric

Its three-dimensional pile provides ideal heat insulation as a kettle pad

Or as fabric for bags

Naturally giving off a cool look and texture

Wool, silk, cotton, linen 

Dyed with natural pigments 

Combining traditional knotting and weaving techniques 

The creative possibilities are virtually limitless 

When we weave on small looms 

We connect with sages from two millennia past 

Through simple yet perfect craftsmanship 

Quietly experiencing the wonders of creation

Discover more creativity on our Red Note.