Manufactured in a region in the north of Afghanistan, Khan Mohammadi Rugs have an interesting history and a characteristic appearance, both of which give these rugs a distinctive Afghan appeal.
While most rugs were originally woven by nomads and tribes people for purely functional purposes, Khan Mohammadi rugs, which you will sometimes see referred to as Khal Mohammadi rugs, were first created by one man- Khal Mohammad.
A weaver and master dyer, Khal Mohammad was determined to create stunning carpets that would be appreciated around the world. Through the tumultuous seventies, a time of unrest and civil wars in Afghanistan, he doggedly opened up several manufacturing units in North Afghanistan where he trained weavers to create these distinctive rugs. He also imparted his knowledge of dyeing to his protégés so that the rugs woven by every individual weaver were unique in design as well as coloration.
Given the huge role Khal Mohammad played in manufacturing, dyeing and popularizing these rugs, it was only natural that these types of rugs were named after him. Still, that is a rare honor when you consider that very few types of rugs are named by any one person.
While these rugs retain some of the trademark characteristics that you see in any Afghani rugs, the higher quality wool, the higher knot count and the more meticulous weaving techniques used in Khan Mohammadi rugs gives them a superior look and feel.
In weaving these rugs, the weavers make very small knots using wool that has been first hand spun. This makes it easier for the weavers to make the smaller knots, which gives the rugs their neat, clean look. Of course, the thinner wool and higher knot count increase the weaving time drastically. A one square meter rug can take a weaver about a month or even more but the result is sheer perfection in every knot.
Another characteristic feature of Khan Mohammadi rugs is that they are always woven using wool that has been dyed to different shades of red. Using his advanced knowledge of dyeing Khal Mohammad created an endless array of red shades that are used to dye the wool. These different shades of red were then woven together in different combinations to give each finished piece its own unique look.
Khan Mohammadi rugs are versatile. Their deep, rich hues add a regal accent to any room and their high durability makes them ideal for use in high traffic areas in your home. Another advantage that these rugs offer is that because they are made in factories, you can even get even them in large room sizes so you do not have to settle for anything else if you've got your heart set on a large Khan Mohammadi rug. Moreover, these rugs are surprisingly reasonably priced, which belies their rich, regal looks.