If you’ve ever delved into the world of rugs and carpets, you’ve probably come across the term “KPSI,” which stands for knots per square inch. KPSI is a crucial qualitative measure used by rug experts to assess the quality and intricacy of hand-knotted rugs. Let’s break down what KPSI is and how you can count it yourself.
What is KPSI on Rugs and Carpets?
KPSI stands for “KNOTS PER SQUARE INCH”, measuring the density of knots in a rug or carpet, indicating its intricacy and quality.
KPSI, or knots per square inch, represents the density of knots in a rug within a one-square-inch area. This measure helps determine the level of craftsmanship, intricacy, and overall quality of a rug. Counting KPSI involves inspecting the reverse side of an oriental rug and physically counting the knots within a defined area.
How to count KPSI on Rugs and Carpets?
Count KPSI by inspecting the rug’s back, selecting a small area, counting individual knots horizontally and vertically, and multiplying the counts to determine the average knots per square inch. Repeat in different areas for accuracy.
Here’s step by step how to count KPSI:
- Gather Your Tools: You’ll need the rug you want to assess, a pen or pencil for counting, a ruler or a U.S. quarter (which is just under an inch in diameter), and a keen eye.
- Identify the Knot Structure: Before counting, familiarize yourself with the structure of hand-knotted rugs. Remember that a single knot might consist of multiple yarns twisted together.
- Choose Your Area: Select a small area on the back of the rug to focus on. It’s best to choose a central part of the rug and measure more than one area for an accurate average.
- Count Horizontally and Vertically: Begin counting the knots horizontally in one row and then vertically in the adjacent column. Count only the individual knots, even if a knot is formed from multiple yarns.
- Calculate KPSI: Multiply the number of knots counted horizontally by the number counted vertically. This will give you the approximate KPSI for the chosen area.
- Repeat for Accuracy: To get an average KPSI, repeat the process in a few different areas of the rug, closer to its center.
Remember, a higher KPSI doesn’t always translate to higher quality. It’s just one factor among many that contribute to a rug’s value. Older rugs might have fewer knots density per square inch due to the inherent characteristics of their designs and origins.
Conclusion
In summary, counting KPSI is a skill that allows you to assess the quality of a hand-knotted rug. By carefully examining the reverse side, identifying individual knots, and performing a few calculations, you can gain insight into the craftsmanship and intricacy of the rug.
Hi there, I’m Philip Muchemi, a seasoned Interior Designer with a dynamic background in the industry. Over the last six years, I worked on the operational team of Turtleneck Designs Inc.’ before moving on to Delta Int-Design where I specialized in architectural designing, computer-aided design, space planning, sketching, organizing, and drawing.
Currently, I am the founder of Whatsmyrugsize.com and a Privilege Interior Designer at ArcEngg, which is the leading designing firm. My goal is to provide necessary information and helping hand to ArcEngg and Whatsmyrugsize customers all the way through, while educating them about these interior designing.