Do you know knitting crafts?


In various Iranian handicrafts, we always see a variety of textures with different qualities. The technique of weaving and its exploitation, in addition to its boundless efficiency, also gives a special beauty to the types of weaving of Iranian handicrafts.

Definition of handicrafts

In a comprehensive definition of handicrafts, we read: Handicrafts are works of art that are made using native raw materials of a region and with the manual techniques of artists and special tools, usually native to that region. In the identity of each craft, cultural, geographical features, national and regional beliefs, etc. are reflected.

Mat weaving is one of the handicrafts of knitting, which had many fans in our country and in the world since ancient times. This art of

It has been very popular and common in the past until today. It is not bad to know that due to the availability of raw materials, in the southern and northern parts of the country, they used this beautiful art as a household activity to pass their time and provide for their living expenses. They made products that had many uses, such as: baskets, baskets, curtains, etc.

iran handicrafts

Mat weaving tools and equipment

It can be said that scissors, all kinds of knives, lids, needles, water containers (for soaking the strands) are among the most important tools of mat weaving. Materials and materials such as thin branches of trees such as willow, wheat stalks, rice and leaves and stems of some trees such as palm trees and reeds are used in mat weaving.

Application of mat weaving tools and equipment

Scissors: sharp and thin scissors are used to cut wood.

Knife: A knife is used to cut thick fibers.

Darfash: They usually use the door to break cracks and make holes.

Glue: As the name suggests, it is used to glue wood together.

Cardboard: Cardboard can be used to weave quadrangular devices.

A lid with a wide tip: a wide lid is used when we want to open the weave.

All kinds of Iranian handicrafts

The traditional group of Farhangistan Art Academy has presented the following categories for a better classification of Iranian handicrafts:

Metal arts (including tapestry, goldsmithing, meatballs, metal engraving, etc.)

Pottery arts (including glazed and unglazed pottery, tiling, etc.)

Stone carving arts (including stone carving, turning, mosaic, mesh, etc.)

Traditional embroidery arts (including needlework, patchwork, ribbon embroidery, tapestry, beadwork, etc.)

Traditional painting and printing arts

Painting arts

Wood arts (including carving, turning, inlaying, inlaying, etc.)

The history of various types of Iranian knitted handicrafts

Due to the use of raw materials that have been lost over time, it is difficult to determine the historical age of old weaves; Therefore, it is only possible to determine the time of production of the first knitting based on speculation. The discovery of pointed rods and sticks in the excavations made by some archaeologists gives rise to the belief that in ancient times people were engaged in weaving.

Of course, this issue has not been proven and it is possible that these devices were used for other purposes. Meanwhile, the history of Iranian knitting crafts has a long history and goes back to the Neolithic age. In a cave near the Caspian Sea in 1950 AD, pieces of fabric woven with goat hair and sheep wool were discovered.

With the studies done on these cloths, they came to the conclusion that it is about 6500 years old, and they found two copper axes with a pattern of cloth engraved on them, and they are also 3500 years old.

Knitting crafts

Knitting is one of the types of crafts whose raw material is yarn. Weaving is the production of fabric that is done by weaving yarn. This art exists in most parts of the country and is not specific to a specific place. Knitting crafts have a large scope and various products are produced in these industries. These knittings will be done both by hand and by machine.

Weaving in the Achaemenid era

During the Achaemenid rule, knitting crafts, especially in the field of weaving silk fabrics, were very famous.

According to many historians, Alexander the Great wore fine Iranian fabrics from the time he arrived in Iran until his death, and this is a sign of the history of this art in our country. Also, during this period, the use of gold cloths, whose taropod was made of gold thread, was more produced.

Knitting crafts in the Safavid era

The peak period of Iran's power and greatness goes back to the Safavid era. Many arts that were forgotten reached their peak again during the Safavid era. One of these arts is knitting crafts, which had become very rare before this era. During the Safavid era, because the king and the courtiers paid great attention to the aristocratic clothing, this industry has made significant progress.

When this government fell to the hands of Afghans, many of these arts went into decline in Iran. During the Afsharia, Zandiyeh and Qajar periods, no effort was made to reach the peak of handicrafts and it was a very painful period for Iranian art.

Traditional machine knitting:

In this type of knitting crafts, they use machines instead of hands and cannot be considered handmade. But these devices themselves are generally handmade. In the rest of this section, we will mention the products that are produced by this method.

clothes:

Fabrics are one of the main and essential needs of people, and traditional and hand-woven fabrics are of higher quality. These fabrics are more delicate due to the use of natural materials and the way they are woven, and the art of hand will be evident in it. Among the traditional fabrics are:

Night tent:

One of the most important handicrafts is Chadorshab knitting, which is woven in the northern regions of the country. They will use silk or cotton thread to produce this product. This type of fabric is used for table cloth, on the bed, around the waist and even curtains.

Velvet:

Velvet is another traditional handwoven fabric that is produced with yarn or silk. This type of fabric has delicate and soft piles and is considered one of the most exquisite and beautiful traditional fabrics. In the city of Kashan, velvet fabric is more popular.

Brick:

Berk is a type of thick hand-woven fabric that is used to sew men's clothes. This fabric is found in Khorasan areas and they use camel or goat wool to weave it.

Jajim:

A woven jajim that is similar to a rug and is thicker than a carpet and has colored cotton stripes.