Hand Knotted Woolen Carpet of Nepal

Nepalese hand-knotted woolen carpet ranks 2^nd in terms of overseas export. Carpet items exported from Nepal are coded under HS. Code 5701.10. The art of carpet weaving is an old tradition in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, especially in the mountainous region of the country. Radi, Pakhi, Bakkhu, Darhi are well-known products produced in this region. The marketing of those products is confined only to the domestic market. The development of an export quality carpet was initiated with the influx of Tibetan refugees in the early sixties. The year 1960 can be regarded as the historic year for the commercial production of the carpet in the kingdom of Nepal. In 1962, Nepal launched the commercial shipment of the carpet with a sample consignment to Zurich, Switzerland.

Nepalese carpets are made of the highest quality fleece wool imported from Tibet, New Zealand and Britain. These carpets are available both in natural dyes and synthetic dyes with 60, 80 and 100 knots per square inch density. Specialized manufacturers may make even 120 knots per square inch density and more. Nepalese carpets are of various size that normally ranges from 16"X16" to 9  feet X 12 feet. Nepalese hand knotted woolen carpet is one of the major export products of unique qualities like texture, color combination, resiliency, strength and durability. Designs are large and bold on a single dominant background. These carpets can be used either on the floor or hung on the walls.

The production process of Nepalese carpet includes:

1) Wool sorting and washing 2) Carding 3) Spinning 4) Dyeing 5) Knotting 6) Trimming 7) Washing and drying 8) Finishing 9) Packing

The price of the Nepalese carpet basically depends on its quality standard, size and design like other products.

Nepalese carpet industry is the backbone of Nepalese economy. It is the highest industrial employment generator, particularly to the rural people who are illiterate or who are deprived of education, as well as the major foreign hard currency earner. At present, around 95% of the production of carpet is concentrated in the Kathmandu valley and the rest is outside the valley.

The export of Nepalese Carpet has spread over 40 countries out of which, Germany, USA, Belgium, Britain, Turkey, Switzerland, Japan, Spain, Canada and Italy are the leading export markets. Among these too, the first two are the biggest export markets. Germany alone absorbs more than 45% of the total carpet export.

List of Nepalese Manufacturers & Exporters of Hand knotted Woolen Carpet:
 

Government Offices and Trade Associations related to Woolen Carpet: