Rashti-Duzi: Indigenous handicraft of Iran’s Gilan

Rashti-Duzi is the traditional art of crocheting and sewing, indigenous to Rasht, the capital of the northern Iranian province of Gilan.

As one of Iran’s ancient and valuable handicrafts, the crocheting and the needlework in Rashti-Duzi is done with a special hook that creates patterns with silk yarns on Mahut fabric (a worsted wool made fabric).   

The motifs and patterns in Rashti-Duzi are derived from the memory and imagination of their designers and were passed on from one generation to the next.

Rashti-Duzi is divided into three types:

1. Simple crocheting: First, a pattern is drawn on the fabric. Then, the pattern is crocheted with colored silk yarns.

2. Crocheting + Tekeh-Duzi method: First, a pattern is applied to the Mahut fabric. A specific portion is then cut out, replaced and crocheted with a piece of another color.

3. Crocheting + Moaragh method: This is the most delicate one among all as the artist patches colorful Mahut pieces by crocheting their edges together.

This method has been used to make products such as table cloths, bedding, cushions, coasters, bags, luggage, and floor coverings.

More Persian handicrafts:

Korgi-Bafi

Haft-Rang tiles

Varni-Bafi

Papier-mache and lacquer work

Kapu weaving of Khuzestan

Pan-Bafi

Kiseh-Bafi

Darayi-Bafi

Aba-Bafi

Khorjin-Bafi

Chigh-Bafi

Sermeh-Douzi

Ihrami weaving

Gereh Chini

Varsho-Saz

Shawl-Bafi

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