The Ties That Bind: Captivated by Armenian Soumak Weaving
In my weaving practice, I’ve fallen in love with a specific style of Armenian Soumak weaving. It lives in a fascinating middle ground between carpet and rug making. This technique combines knots—like in Armenian rug weaving (though technically a different knot)—with wrapping methods more commonly found in flat weaving. The result is a textile that’s exceptionally durable and rich with detail.
Here are five reasons this style has become a favorite of mine:
1. Greater Control Over Height
The wrapping technique is the real secret sauce. It allows for precise control over height as the work progresses, giving the weaver flexibility.
2. Incredible Design Precision
Because of how the thread interacts with the warp, Soumak allows for strikingly exact detail—think one square on a piece of graph paper levels of accuracy. If you can imagine it (and map it out), you can weave it.
It’s this level of detail that can be achieved with Soumak weaving.
3. The Meditative Knot
There’s something deeply grounding about the physical act of tying knots. It’s more than a construction method—it becomes a kind of moving meditation, anchoring me fully in the present moment and in the work itself.
4. The “Hop, Skip, and Jump”
Soumak involves the thread hopping and skipping across the warps. That movement brings a sense of play and adventure to the process. It’s not just repetition; it feels like the thread is taking a small journey across the loom and through the motifs.
5. Unbeatable Strength
Because this technique relies on knots, the finished carpet is exceptionally strong. That strength is a bit of a double-edged sword—fixing mistakes can take longer—but for a piece built to last generations, it’s a trade-off I’m always happy to make.
For me, the rhythm of Soumak weaving has become one of my favorite forms of active meditation. Do you have a craft or hobby that helps clear your mind? I’d love to hear what keeps you busy—feel free to share in the comments below.
