Our philosophy
Our philosophy
At Enkay we seek to make it possible for everyone to appreciate the beauty of a handcrafted rug. We also seek to honor and reward the artisans who make them. Our work is inspired by N.K. Chaudhary, whose transformative business model elevated profits, wages, and dignity by creating a direct link between world-class materials, makers and markets.
The hand crafting process
The hand crafting process
When you buy from us, you are guaranteed that every step in the process of making our rugs is carried out by a world-class artisan who’s dedicated themselves to mastering a single aspect of handcrafting. While hand-weaving and hand-knotting are the most noted steps in the making of handcrafted rugs, they are not the only steps in the process. Before it makes its way to you, each rug is worked on by 90 different artisans, each one a specialist in a specific aspect of rug-making.
1. Sourcing
The pursuit of finer fibers has created a market that rewards less ethical practices. When you buy from Enkay, you are guaranteed the responsible sourcing of raw materials. We believe as Gandhi did, that “There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness.”
2. Carding
Brushing raw wool between two bristled pads known as carders aligns the naturally wavy fibers and prepares them for spinning into yarn.
3. Spinning
Using a spinning wheel, spinners known as katwaris add small bits of carded wool to each other with a deft twist. This twist causes the surface of the wool fibers to lock together, creating a yarn.
4. Dyeing
Finished yarn is wound into bundles called hanks and then arranged on a frame that’s lowered into eco-friendly dye. When the hank is the correct shade, it’s placed in the sun to dry.
5. Weaving
After an artisan is matched with a rug in the style most aligned to their skills, a rug map and the yarn needed to create a specific rug is delivered to their doorstep so they can bring the design to life.
6. Finishing
Finishing is a process made up of 18 separate steps. During finishing, every detail of the rug is scrutinized. Knots are counted and checked for size, patterns are checked, pile is sheared and trimmed, and bindings are completed. Final cleanings and inspection ensure that each Enkay rug is ready to begin its journey to your home.
Our Materials
Our Materials
Luster, longevity and rich, saturated color begin with the finest wools, hand-selected at auction from growers in 18 countries throughout the world. Before spinning, these wool varietals are blended by master spinners to bring out the finest characteristics of each individual wool. After spinning, each yarn is organically dyed and dried in the sun, as the best yarns have been for centuries. Our standards for jute are no different; we start with the best hand-chosen fibers, and spin them using time-tested methods. Whether woven from wool or jute, each Enkay creation is made from the finest, responsibly sourced materials.
Why choose ethically-sourced natural fibers?
Construction Techniques
Construction Techniques
Depending on the design, Enkay rugs may be either hand-knotted or hand-loomed. Both techniques produce beautiful rugs, but each provides a different character to the finished product.