The Carpet Education

making & selection

The Journey of Carpet Making

When the human hand works with the finest materials, timeless beauty and unparalleled craft are born.

Hand Carding

Spinning

Designing

Graphing

Dyeing

Balling

Drying

Weaving

Washing

Clipping

Binding

Final Product

Carpet Anatomy & Quality

Knots per square Inch (KPSI)

KPSI (Knots Per Square Inch) is a measurement of the density of knots in a hand-knotted carpet and is a general indicator of its quality and durability. Knot count can, however, vary substantially depending on many other factors (such as style, origin, etc.), so this measurement is just one aspect to take into account when assessing a carpet.

How do you measure it ?

Turn a hand-knotted carpet over and count the individual knots you can see running vertically for 1’’ and then horizontally for 1’’. Multiplying these two figures together will give you the overall KPSI.

Hand-Knotted Carpets KPSI Example

Quality	5×8 (150×240 cm)	8×10 (240×300 cm)	9×12 (270×360 cm)	10×14 (300×420 cm)
8×8 (64)	368.640 (knots)	737.280 (knots)	995.328 (knots)	1.290.240 (knots)
10×14 (140)	806.400 (knots)	1.612.800 (knots)	2.177.280 (knots)	2.822.400 (knots)
14×14 (196)	1.128.960 (knots)	2.257.920 (knots)	3.048.198 (knots)	3.951.360 (knots)

Understanding the 4 P’s (Pile) of Carpet

The pile of a carpet refers to the way the fibers are finished. These are either trimmed or untrimmed (or sometimes a combination of the two) to produce the required designs in a carpet.

LOOP PILE

The loops of fiber that make up the carpet are left uncut. The lengths of these may vary from design to design.

cut PILE

The loops of fibre are cut, creating a pile on the surface of the carpet.

cut & LOOP PILE

A combination of cut and uncut loops are used to create distinctive textured designs.

flat-weave

These carpets have interwoven, rather than knotted or tufted fibres, so they have a flat finish instead of a pile.

Choosing the Right Carpet

Before choosing a carpet, you must first understand its purpose. Do you want a carpet that will be a real statement piece, or a more neutral design which will blend seamlessly into the space, giving an overall tranquil appearance? Do you want it to unify a room or to define a space? If you are attempting to break up a room into different areas, a number of smaller rugs can do so beautifully.

The Basics

When looking for the right carpet, the following questions will help to direct the decision-making process.

Where will I use it?

Room traffic – heavy traffic areas need more durable carpets
Indoor or outdoor – some carpets are specially made to endure the elements

Why do I need it?

To create a focal point – brighter colours and busier designs draw the eye
To protect the floor – harder wearing fibres offer greater protection
To insulate a room and muffle sound – certain fibres offer better insulation than others
To add comfort underfoot – softer fibres are more comfortable to coarser ones

What is my budget?

Entry-level to luxury – some carpets (e.g. hand-knotted) are more expensive than others (e.g. flat weave)

What is my current décor like?

Current style – does the décor of the room require a specific kind of carpet?
Color palette – what colours already exist in the intended space?

Colour Variation

We use the industry-standard Pantone TPX Color Tool for consistency throughout the manufacturing process. Working with hand processes, however, means that there can sometimes be variations in the way a carpet’s colour is perceived.

Hand-Made vs Machine-Made

Hand-made carpets are one-off pieces of functional art, and because each one is unique, there can be subtle variations in colour due to the natural fibres and dyes being used. Machine-made carpets are usually more consistent and accurate in their colour.

Lighting Conditions

Some fibres are naturally more reflective than others, so carpets can appear lighter or darker in a photograph than they do in real life. Similarly, the lighting of the space where the carpet will be used can affect the appearance of its colour. This is particularly true of fibres like viscose, where the natural sheen is more evident under brighter lighting conditions.

On-Screen and Printed Images

Colours can vary from screen to printed page to dyed fibre. So while our website and catalogue are great for getting a feel for a carpet’s appearance, we recommend that actual carpet samples be used to make a final decision.

Dyeing and Colour

Carpet dyeing is a traditional art that allows artisans to create decorative effects. To obtain different colours, artisans use either natural dyes (derived from plants and naturally occurring mineral compounds) or synthetic dyes (the product of chemical processes). For both types, the process of dyeing is the same. First, the dye is added to boiling vats of water, followed by the yarn. The yarn is left in the boiling water until the desired colour is reached, after which it is removed from the vat and left to dry in the sun. Once it is completely dry, it is stored until it is needed by weavers.

Abrash/Antique is color variations sometimes seen in hand-made carpets and is caused by factors such as subtle differences in dye lots, wool ageing and raw material preparation. These are not seen as defects, but part of the character of the hand-made process and contributing factors to the individuality of each carpet.

Sizing

Measure before you start

Before you start looking at carpets you need to measure the dimensions of your room to work out the approximate space you have for a carpet and any constraints you have (door openings, etc.).

Bigger is usually better

A small rug can make a room look small and its elements disconnected. When in doubt, go for a bigger size to help tie everything together.

The 18-Inch rule

Most interior designers will tell you to leave around 18 inches of bare floor around a carpet to get the right proportions. For small spaces you can tweak this, however.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

You’re allowed to bend the rules a bit when choosing a carpet – they’re only guidelines after all. shed. These are either trimmed or untrimmed (or sometimes a combination of the two) to produce the required designs in a carpet.

Sizing Guide

Shape	Size in ft	Size in cm	Ideal For
Rectangle	3’x5′-4’x6′ 5’x8′-6’x9′ 75′-95′ 8’x10′-9’x12′ 10’x13′-12’x15′	190×150-120x180cm 150×240-180x270cm 230x290cm 240×300-270x360cm 300×390-360x460cm	Living Rooms Bedrooms Entryways Offices
Square	4’x4′ 6’x6′ 8′-8′ 10’x10′	120x120cm 180x180cm 230x290cm 240x240cm 300x300cm	Living Rooms Dining Rooms
Runner	6’x8′ 3’x12′	180x240cm 90x360cm	Bedrooms Hallways
Circle	4′ 6′ 8′ 10′	240cm 180cm 240cm 300cm	Living Rooms Dining Rooms Entryways
Oval	6’x9′ 8’x10′	180x270cm 240x300cm	Living Rooms Dining Rooms
Octagon	4′ 6′ 8′	120cm 180cm 240cm	Dining Rooms Entryways
Semi-Circle	2’x4′	60x120cm	Entryways
Kidney	3’x5′ 4’x6′	90x150cm 120x180cm	Living Rooms

LIVING ROOM

DINNING ROOM

BEDROOM

Fibres

The fibre used to weave a carpet affects the end look and feel of the finished product.It also has an impact on the durability of a carpet, and the uses it’s suited for.

Carpet Type	Texture	Durability
Wool	Medium	High
Silk	Soft	Average
Cotton	Soft	Average
Viscose / Art Silk / Rayon	Soft	Low / Average

WOOL

Wool is an incredibly resilient natural fiber that comes from the shearing of sheep (and sometimes other animals like alpacas, goats or llamas). It is graded by the length of individual hairs and where that hair comes from on the animal’s body. The best wool often comes from the neck, belly and sections under the legs of the sheep, where it tends to be finer, softer and longer. Climate and habitat also contribute to the quality of wool, and most of our stock is sourced from India and New Zealand.

Why Choose Wool?

Most high quality wool is strong and durable, while still soft to the touch
Resistant to water, dirt and stains, so easier to maintain than other materials
Absorbs moisture and dries out without developing mold or mildew – ideal in humid climates
Easy to dye and holds colour well
It is an elastic fibre, marks from foot traffic can be easily brushed out
An excellent insulator
As a natural fibre, harvesting wool is more eco friendly than creating synthetic fibres
Great at hiding dirt and looks cleaner and better for longer than other fibres

Other Considerations

Wool is comparatively more expensive than many other fibres
Some people are allergic to wool
New wool carpets shed loose fibres for the first few months of use
Care must be taken when storing wool carpets to prevent them from being eaten by moths

SILK

Silk is a natural fibre harvested from the cocoons of either cultivated or wild silkworms. It requires great skill to weave silk carpets, and they are often true investment pieces.

Why Choose Silk?

Silk carpets are often the softest you will find, and have an elegant finish
Relatively durable and can last a lifetime with proper care
Natural lustre and shine in the finished carpet
Silk takes dye very well, which allows for beautiful colour variation

Other Considerations

Silk is a relatively expensive fibre
Because it is less elastic than wool, footprints and furniture marks show easily
Silk is not as stain resistant as other fibers, so care needs to be taken around the carpet

COTTON

Cotton is a fluffy, plant-based fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant. Because they are relatively inexpensive, cotton carpets are popular for simple and casual décor.

Why Choose Cotton?

Cotton is easy to wash – either in washing machines or by hand
Carpets woven from cotton are inexpensive
Cotton takes colour very well so carpets can be bolder and brighter

Other Considerations

Cotton is a lighter fibre than other natural alternatives so doesn’t produce very plush carpets
Carpets woven from cotton are also not as durable as those woven from other natural fibres
Cotton is not as stain resistant as wool
Cotton is a less effective insulator than other fibers

VISCOSE / ART SILK

These man-made fibres are created from plant material (e.g. wood pulp). While they were originally created to mimic more expensive natural silk, they are now often desirable in their own right.

Why Choose Viscose/Art Silk?

Art Silk adds lustre and shimmer to designs
Both are soft to the touch
Both are easy to dye

Other Considerations

Fibres may be easily flattened by heavy furniture
Both are harder to clean than wool or cotton.

Carpet Care Guide

To maintain the beauty of Gupta Carpets handmade area carpets, we recommend the following:

Cleaning Your Carpets

General Tips

Clean spills immediately so that they do not become set in the carpet
Don’t rub stains as it can cause them to become set in the fibers, rather blot them with a cloth
Ensure that any cleaning products are completely removed after cleaning
After cleaning, use dry towels to absorb remaining moisture
When having carpets cleaned professionally (especially hand-made carpets), always make use of reputable carpet experts
Before professional cleaning, ensure that the carpet is inspected with the cleaner to confirm its condition and obtain a signed receipt and guarantee of work

Cleaning Guide

WOOL carpetS

Vacuum wool carpets regularly to keep them looking their best
When cleaning, use only cold or lukewarm water to avoid shrinkage and damage
Blot away any spills immediately and then clean with mild soap and water – do not use oxygen cleaners
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight to prevent fading
For best results, professional cleaning is recommended

SILK carpetS

Never saturate or soak silk carpets with water as this can damage the fibers
Blot away any spills immediately and then clean with mild soap and water – do not use oxygen cleaners
For best results, periodic professional cleaning is recommended and encouraged to protect silk fibers

NATURAL FIBER carpetS

Natural fibers are highly absorbent and should be cleaned regularly
Vacuum regularly to prevent dirt from becoming trapped in the fibers
Do not steam clean or saturate with water – this can cause carpets to shrink or be damaged
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight to prevent fading
Periodic professional cleaning (preferably suction or dry extraction) is recommended for best results

Vacuuming

Regular vacuuming is important to keep carpets in top condition. It helps to remove any surface dirt before it can be ground into the fibers and prevents discoloration and staining with time.

Vacuuming Tips

Canister vacuums without beater bars are recommended for cleaning carpets
Brooms and other manual sweeping methods are also suitable for cleaning carpets
Hand-held carpet-cleaning attachments should be used where possible
Beater bars are not recommended because they can damage carpets
If beater bars must be used then they should be set to the highest setting and care taken not to damage the fibers
Powerful vacuums are not recommended because they can pull fibers from the base of a carpet
Reversible carpets should be vacuumed on both sides to prevent build-up of dirt on one side
Avoid running vacuums over edges and fringes repeatedly as this can damage them

Storage

Proper storage of carpets is important to prolong their lifespan and prevent them from becoming damaged over time. Ideally, the carpet should first be thoroughly cleaned and dried before being rolled up and left in a cool, dry, dark space. Climate-controlled spaces are preferable to prevent fluctuations in temperature and humidity that can damage carpets.

carpet Storage Tips

If possible, wrap carpets in plastic or fabric before storage
Clean storage areas regularly to discourage insects
Carpets should not have heavy objects placed on top of them as these can cause damage