SAEDNEWS: Rashti Duzi is the traditional crocheting and sewing of Rasht, and is considered as one of the richest and most beautiful handicrafts of Iran. Like many other handicrafts it has a very long history.
Specialists trace Rashti crocheting back to 550–330 B.C. This delicate craft is created using a special type of hook to form colorful patterns with silk yarn on Mahut fabric, a type of wool worsted textile.
By the 5th century, during the Sassanid dynasty, Iranian textiles were exported worldwide. Their popularity in Europe was so great that tombstone covers for kings and nobles were often made from Iranian fabrics and carpets. One of the finest Sassanid fabrics adorned with crocheting is preserved today in the Hermitage Museum.
The art of crocheting thrived in the post-Islamic period, flourishing during the Safavid, Afsharid, Zand, and Qajar dynasties. During this time, artists produced a wide variety of items. Craftsmen first sketched patterns inspired by social, political, cultural, religious, and economic themes, then brought them to life through crocheting.
Masters combined crocheting with needlework to create intricate, elegant designs. In Gilan, most motifs were drawn from the imagination and memory of the artisans, passed down through generations. Among the most popular motifs are traditional “Kaj Butehee,” paisley, and circular designs.
Rashti crocheting is divided into three main types:
Simple Crocheting – Colorful silk yarns are crocheted onto fabric after the pattern has been drawn.
Crocheting with Tekeh Duzi – Patterns are applied to Mahut fabric, then sections are cut and replaced with differently colored fabric before crocheting.
Crocheting with Moaragh – The most elaborate form, where colorful Mahut pieces are patched onto a base fabric and the edges are joined with crochet.
This technique has been used to create a wide array of products, including tablecloths, draperies, bedding, cushions, coasters, bags, luggage, and floor coverings.
