Rooted in a family legacy shaped by rugs, Arshiya Khan, Mohammad Arfa Ansari and Ajaz Ahmed of Square Knots approach rug-making as a documentation of evolution. ‘This legacy is about stewardship,’ they note, preserving artistry within changing times. Their bespoke pieces merge age-old artisanal techniques with contemporary living, creating works that are rooted in culture yet attuned to modern homes. From the smell of lanolin-rich wool to the rhythmic labour of hand-knotting, each rug emerges as a sensory, months-long process. The result is a living object, carrying the fingerprint of its makers and a history entirely its own. More from the founders below.
Your family has been in the carpet industry for generations. What does carrying this legacy forward mean to you today?
Since the late 70s, OAC Rugs has been producing superior quality rugs; however, the company has never lost sight of these core values and the meaning of this ancient art form deeply rooted in history. Ultimately for me, this legacy is about stewardship, ensuring that the foundational value of hard work and artistry continues in the evolving dynamics.
Square Knots focuses on bespoke, luxury pieces. How do you balance tradition with modern design sensibilities?
Square Knots achieves this balance by merging the age-old artisanal techniques with contemporary living, adding beauty and an exclusive touch to the private space of the house owner. The goal is to create pieces that feel rooted in history but are perfectly suited for modern lifestyles.
What goes into creating a single rug, from raw material to finished piece?
Creating a bespoke luxury rug takes months long journey of precision. It begins with the selection and training of the very best artisan rug makers and continues with the use of superior quality of the materials [wool, silk or plant fibers], the yarns, dyeing and hand knotted or hand tufted rug weaving. Final phases of cutting, trimming, washing and drying. Each rug produced this way is unique with a personality and history that is different to all others.
Take us behind-the-scenes and tell us a little about your craft process.
At Square Knots, the behind-the-scenes is a sensory experience defined by the smell of lanolin-rich wool and the rhythmic sound of heavy wooden beaters striking the loom. We treat rug-making as architectural tailoring, each piece is built from the ground up to fit a specific environment. Before the loom is even warped, the soul of the rug is engineered in our studio. Designers translate the art into a CAD, which is a coded grid where every square is a specific knot. After this is made, colour selection is done from a box full of different shades. After the selection of the colours, specific yarns are selected which then goes for dyeing and drying.
Finally the knotting and tufting process begins where artisans work in teams, sitting side-by-side. They tie each knot by hand, slice the yarn with a curved knife, and move to the next. A master weaver can tie about thirty to forty knots per minute. However, the tufting process is much faster involving a tufting machine used by the weaver. After the weaving process, each rug goes for washing. This removes loose fibers and opens up the wool, giving it a soft, luxurious luster. Finally, hand carving is done on each rug to enhance the beauty of an intricate design. This makes each rug unique.
What makes a handmade rug truly special?
A handmade rug is more than a floor covering; it is a functional piece of history that carries the unique fingerprint of the artisans who created it. A well-crafted hand-knotted rug can last fifty to hundred years, often becoming a valuable family heirloom that appreciates in beauty as it ages. As every strand is tied by hand, a professional can re-knot and repair damaged sections, making the rug virtually immortal. Every handmade rug is a one-of-a-kind creation, even if it follows a standard pattern. Small, intentional imperfections, known as 'abrash' occur when different dye lots or hand-spun yarns create subtle color shifts.
No two weavers tie knots with the exact same tension, giving the rug a depth and texture that feels alive rather than sterile. The weaver’s personal interpretation of the design map ensures the piece has a unique character. The process provides sustainable livelihoods for entire villages of carders, spinners, dyers, and weavers.
What are you working on currently and what’s next?
We are working for an upcoming exhibition. Our new collection is inspired by Nature and its elements like sand dunes, terrains, and much more.
Words Neeraja Srinivasan
Date 4.5.2026
