Ikaat crafts

Our Crafts

Ikaat

Ikaat is an intricate resist-dyeing technique, rooted in centuries-old traditions, involves binding and dyeing yarn before it is woven, creating beautifully blurred patterns that are unique to each piece.

At Kozii, Ikaat is crafted ethically, using organic fibers and sustainable resources that support artisan communities and help them thrive.

By preserving this labor-intensive art form and ensuring fair working conditions, Kozii not only honors textile heritage but also fosters sustainable livelihoods, blending cultural richness with conscious fashion.

A bit about history

Ikaat is one of the most intricate and time-honored textile techniques, deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of regions such as Indonesia, India, Japan, and Central Asia. The word “ikat” itself comes from the Malay-Indonesian term meaning “to bind” or “to tie,” referencing the meticulous process of resist-dyeing threads before weaving them into fabric.

While Indonesia is often credited with the origin of ikat, evidence of similar techniques has been found in various parts of the world. For instance, ikat textiles have been discovered in pre-Columbian Peru, India, Egypt, and Guatemala, indicating the widespread historical presence of this technique.

In India, ikat weaving developed its own indigenous styles, with regions like Odisha, Gujarat, and Telangana each contributing unique interpretations to the craft. These regional variations highlight the adaptability and cultural significance of ikat across different communities.

A bit about the technique

The technique begins with artisans carefully mapping out the desired pattern on bundles of yarn. These sections are then tightly bound with a resist material—traditionally grass, waxed cotton, or even palm fibers—to shield certain areas from absorbing dye. The threads are dyed in multiple stages, with bindings adjusted or reapplied to create layered hues, resulting in vibrant, multidimensional designs.

The complexity increases when multiple colors are used, requiring careful planning and precision to maintain the intended pattern. Once the dyeing process is complete, the bindings are removed, and the dyed threads are meticulously arranged on a loom.

Unlike printed or embroidered textiles, ikat designs emerge organically during the weaving process, giving the fabric its signature blurred, feathered edges—a hallmark of its authenticity. Weaving ikat requires great skill, as the artisan must carefully align the dyed threads to ensure the motifs take shape as intended.

Ikaat has been used in the following collections

Our Crafts

In these changing times, it is important to remember that no project makes sense if it doesn’t create some kind of sustainable network that closely safeguards all the people involved and its environmental impact along the production process. Kozii invites you to learn more about the techniques applied to our productions.