Tufting

After the knitting is done, short U-shaped loops of extra yarn are introduced through the fabric from the outside so that their ends point inwards (e.g., towards the hand inside the mitten).

The ends of the tuft yarns are then frayed, so that they will subsequently felt, creating a dense, insulating layer within the knitted garment.

[4] Primary backing fabric must be stretched tightly to the frame so that it is stable enough to withstand the pressure of the tufting gun and taut enough for the yarn to be held in place.

[5] Tufting frames are generally constructed of wood, with carpet tacks or grippers around the edge to hold the primary backing fabric in place.

[5] Any mistakes in the design can be corrected throughout the tufting process by simply pulling out yarn strands from the primary backing fabric and re-tufting the area.

Worsted yarn is more favourable for tufting when the finished product will be used in high-traffic areas, as it produces a hard flat surface that is tightly woven together.

A tufting gun is a handheld machine where yarn is fed through a needle and subsequently punched in rapid succession through a backing fabric, either with or without scissors.

[7] After tufting, the pile can be sheared or cut using electric shearers or scissors to tidy and sculpt the yarn for the finished product.

[4] The diverse set of equipment mentioned above plays a crucial role in the rug-making process, with each tool serving a distinct purpose.

The short format of TikTok and Instagram reels lends itself well to the process of tufting, providing a platform for the textile artform to reach a wider audience.

[12][14] Recycling tufted pieces can be difficult as they are typically made up of three layers, which can require additional energy to break down into their individual components.

[4] Processed waste from tufting can be turned into many things, including cushion stuffing, as concrete reinforcement or as modifiers in asphalt mixtures.

[4] Tufted pieces, such as rugs or wall hangings, provide acoustic properties which can minimize noise and absorb airborne sounds.

[1] Tufted pieces made from nylon yarn may face colour degradation over time if exposed to excess sunlight.