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Hand-Knotted Rugs

Lets begin with the most venerated of rugs. The hand-knotted rug is considered the finest rug type available, with families passing down handcrafted heirlooms from generation to generation. Whether or not this style appeals to you, there is no disputing the fact that the finest hand-knotted rugs represent months, or even a year, of painstaking craftsmanship. Styles include Persian, Indian, Tibetan and Oriental rugs, and are made by looping wool through the rug foundation made up of warps (lengthwise threads) and wefts (widthwise threads) and tying a knot. The three most common knots are the Persian knot, Turkish knot and Tibetan knot.

Two major factors that determine the quality of a hand-knotted rug are the knots per square inch of rug and the materials and dye used. A weaver can average between 6,000-8,000 knots a day and an average rug holds 90-250 knots per inch. However, premium rugs can hold anywhere from 400-700 knots per inch. Rugs may be chromium or vegetable dyed, with vegetable dyes being the preferred choice of rug collectors and fetching higher prices. The pile of a hand-knotted rug averages 1/2 to 1 inch. These luxurious rugs easily work as a focal point to any room and last for years with proper care.

Hand-Hooked Rugs

For these rugs, a weaver pushes wool, yarn or fabric through an even-weave foundation to the front with a special hand hook, and then pulls it back to leave a short loop on the surface of the rug. The loops form a design and a protective backing is applied to the back of the rug. Primarily made in India and China, hand-hooked rugs have a short pile with tight loops that offer durability and which help keep dust from penetrating the rug base. For this reason, they are a good choice for a childs room, or in furniture dense rooms like the living room and dining room.

Braided Rugs

There are two varieties of this rug, flat braid and false (or round) braid. True flat braided rugs are created by weaving strands of yarn or fabric around a core, an inner material that maintains the shape and strength of the rugs construction. A superior braided rug will have a high quality core of yarn or similar material. The false braid is an alternative to a true flat braided rug for someone who wants a similar look without the cost. Strips of fabric wind around a stationary core, which is often made of a lower quality material like foam or cotton clothesline. Braided rugs are soft to walk on because of their thickness, and come in round or oval patterns. Because of their construction, they lend a homey, traditional look to a room and are favored sleeping spots for pampered family pets.

The Madison Braided Rug (shown on the left)

Hand-Tufted Rugs

A hand-tufted rug should never be confused with a hand-knotted or hand-hooked rug. This popular rug is made using a hand-held tool that pushes yarn into a canvas on a loom. The fabric is secured on the back with latex and scrim and the rugs are sheared to a 1/2 - 1 inch pile. The yarn is never knotted. Edges are typically decorated with a fringe or border for extra appeal. A hand tufted rug yields a soft, thick texture that belies a hardiness that makes it perfect for high traffic areas of the home. Unlike hand-knotted rugs, hand-tufted rugs will not likely become an heirloom, as latex glue can become brittle and crumbly over time. Additionally, the rug will shed in the beginning and vacuuming will be necessary. However, hand-tufted rugs are a very affordable solution for someone seeking the basic look and soft pile of a hand-knotted rug but can spare the expense. Many hand-tufted rugs carry the same designs as authentic hand-knotted rugs as well as modern patterns and come in a wonderful variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, making it a versatile decorating tool.

Our hand-tufted Shanghai Rug is not hand-knotted or hand-hooked, but attractively priced and always stylish.

Flat-Weave Rugs

Flat-weave, or woven, rugs are distinct because they have a flat pile. An artisan or computerized loom weaves the yarn back and forth until all the threads are covered in tight loops, with a recognizable design on the front and back. The result is a tight, durable rug thats great for entranceways or kitchens. We recommend using a rug pad with flat-weave rugs in particular, as the vegetable dyes that typically color them can bleed when wet. Examples of traditional, hand-woven rugs include Indian dhurries and Middle Eastern kilims.

A flat-weave rug won have a plushy pile, but are incredibly durable due to a tight weave.

Machine Made Rugs

Rugs made by machine give consumers the opportunity to buy beautiful, quality rugs without the high price tag of their handcrafted counterparts. For instance, flat-weave and braided rugs come in handmade and mass produced versions, and hand-tufted rugs can substitute for hand-knotted rugs in a budget pinch. Machine produced rugs are mainly composed of synthetic fabrics like polypropylene, and many enjoy the color and texture consistency a machine made rug offers that cannot be replicated by hand. Pay special attention to product specifications to find out if the rug you e interested in is handmade or machine generated.

Our Oceanic I Rug is a lovely example of a machine-woven rug