FAQs

What is a hand-knotted carpet?

Cultures from around the world have produced woven tapestries and textiles. A flat-woven floor covering made throughout the Middle East is termed “kilim.” Kilims make beautiful floor coverings, but are not carpets proper. True carpets have a pile, and this form of carpet was invented in ancient Persia. The best examples of hand-made pile carpets are to this day from Iran. 

Both kilims and carpets are made on a loom by tying knots around a foundation (the warp) that becomes the fringes visible at the ends. The method for knotting a kilim is to continuously knot the same thread. Carpets, however, are made one distinct knot at a time. This makes them difficult to unravel and very hardwearing. Pile carpets are more durable than kilims. 

Why choose a hand-knotted carpet?

A hand-knotted carpet is the obvious choice for someone who appreciates fine art and craftsmanship. But beyond an appreciation for the art form, there are other reasons to choose a hand-knotted carpet.

A well-made carpet is not only beautiful, but should be easy to take care of. While some carpets are intended for lower traffic areas, many are designed for daily use and are children- and pet-friendly. The wool used in our carpets is hand-spun, retaining the structural integrity of the fiber, as well as a high amount of lanolin, a natural stain-repellent. This means that spills and accidents are easy to clean with cold water. Even red wine, coffee, or tea are no problem. Pets, such as dogs and cats, will not harm a properly selected carpet (and will likely appreciate the soft place to sleep!). If properly maintained, your carpet will only get better with age. 

A hand-knotted carpet is also a “green” choice. Unlike a factory-made piece, the traditional manufacture of hand-knotted carpets produces a relatively small environmental footprint. Weavers work on looms in their homes. Our carpets, constructed from either wool or silk (or a combination of the two) are knotted on foundations of cotton, wool, or silk. This means that our carpets contain 100% natural fibers. Although many carpets over the last century have been made using a combination of high-quality chromatic dyes and vegetable dyes, we also carry new and old 100% vegetable-dyed carpets. 

Lastly, a hand-knotted carpet is more durable than its machine-made counterpart is. Because hand-knotted pieces are composed of thousand of individually tied knots, it is difficult to unravel the carpet. Most of the carpets we sell will not only last your lifetime, but your children’s and grandchildren’s as well.

Is a hand-knotted carpet expensive?

Like jewelry or artwork, hand-knotted carpets are considered a luxury good. But that doesn’t mean that you have to pay a luxury price. We sell many authentic Persian carpets for less than a good-quality machine-made carpet. But of course, unlike a machine–made carpet, a Persian carpet is one of a kind and will last for decades or even centuries. Because we deal in volume, selling thousands of carpets each year, our business model demands only a small profit margin. Compare the quality of our pieces to anywhere else and you’re sure to find carpets at two to three times the price. In short, we are able to pay sellers well, pass the savings onto our customers, and still make a profit for ourselves. It’s a win-win-win situation.

What affects the price of a carpet?

The price of a carpet is determined by the quality of the materials used (which is reflected in the grade of wool or silk and the quality of the dyes); the quality of the workmanship, including the number of knots, intricacy of the pattern, and the originality of the piece; the size and shape of the carpet; and its rarity, age and condition. Like so many consumer goods, supply and demand are factors.

Which is stronger: wool or silk?

Both wool and silk come in several grades of quality. The strength of any carpet is dependent on the density and quality of the fiber used, not the type. While the best silk is the strongest natural fiber, it is expensive and not as easy to maintain as good wool. For this reason, most people advise that silk carpets be placed in low-traffic areas where they are less susceptible to spills and wear, and will thus be preserved in mint condition for a long period of time. 

Does Kensington Carpets support fair-trade?

Dealing fairly with carpet-weavers and ensuring that they are well compensated is important to our business. Kensington carpets is owned by Ali Keshvari, who has been in the Persian carpet business in Toronto for over 25 years. Ali travels throughout Iran and buys directly from weavers and from families wishing to sell their older pieces, meaning there are no intermediaries involved in the carpets we sell. This benefits the sellers, in that we are able to offer good prices for their carpets. And of course this benefits our customers, who are able to pay less for a quality carpet while still resting assured that the carpet weaver was paid more than she or he would have received from a carpet broker. 

Do children make carpets?

Sadly, in some parts of the world, children are involved in carpet making. However, this is not the case in Iran where carpets have been made for thousands of years. Persian carpet weaving is still a cottage industry in Iran and is passed on to next generation by mothers and fathers. Women and men work in their own homes, weaving at their own pace. These women and men also set the price they are willing to sell the completed carpet for, with the money made going directly to them. 

Can hand-knotted carpets be used in washrooms?

Yes you can put a hand-knotted carpet in your washroom. Small amounts of moisture – such as the marks left by wet feet treading out of the shower – are no problem for a woolen carpet. However, if a carpet gets overly wet, it is important to fully and properly dry it in order to prevent damage.

Does sunlight harm hand-knotted carpets?

While sunlight in moderate amounts is good for carpets (it kills bacteria), constant exposure to direct sunlight can affect dyes and cause fading. Vegetable-dyed carpets are less susceptible to fading and are a good choice in very sunny rooms. Alternatively, some carpets are made entirely without dyes, using just the natural colour variations found in wool. These carpets are another good choice in highly sunny spaces.

Do you need to place an underpad beneath a hand-knotted carpet?

Generally we advise that you try your carpet without an underpad first. Because your carpet is made of natural materials, it is best to let it "breathe." But, if you find that your carpet is slipping on the floor, we can provide you with an appropriate underpad.