About Rugs The Creation of Rugs

Rug Components

Rugs are composed of three basic elements:

The Warp

The warp is composed of all the vertical yarns of a rug. During rug production the warp is stretched tight from horizontal looms which is vital as the knots that make up the pile (visible part of the rug) are tied to the warp. The tightness of the warp also ensures that no there will be no wrinkles in the rug. Warps are also distinguished by rug fringes. All hand knotted rugs have fringe, however, some rugs fringe are cut in order enhance the overall aesthetic of a rug.

The Weft

The weft is composed of all the horizontal yarns of a rug. When a rug is being created the weft is added one row at a time after a column of knots have been completed on a warp to secure the knots. A comb tool is used to push down the wefts tightly to secure the knots of each row.

The Knot

Knot Type

Most handmade rugs are woven by tying knots. There are four basic types of knots.

Asymmetrical (Persian or Senneh) Knot

This knot is formed when yarn is wrapped around one warp strand and then passed under the next warp strand and brought back to the surface. This knot forms a fine weave.

Symmetrical (Turkish or Ghiorde) Knot

This is knot is formed when yarn is passed over two adjacent warp strands. Each end of the yarn is then wrapped behind one warp and brought back to the surface in the middle of the two warps.

Jufti Knot

This knot can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. The knot is usually tied over four warps which aids in accelerating the creation process by lessening the time it takes to cut each knot and start anew.

Tibetan Knot

In Tibet, a specific knot is used. A bar is put in front of the warp running horizontal with the weft. A single yarn is then looped around two warps and then once around the bar. When a row is completed, the loops are then cut to assemble the knots.

Knots per Square Inch

Rugs can range from 25 to over 1000 knots per square inch. An expert weaver is able to complete a knot in ten seconds, or six knots per minute, three hundred and sixty knots per hour. Therefore, a 9x12 foot rug with 150 knots per square inch could take one weaver two and a half years to complete. Handmade rugs are practical as well as beautiful works of art that require craftsmen and women to be patient and meticulous.

The Material

Rug materials also called the pile of rugs can be segregated into two groups:

Natural

Natural includes wool, cotton, and silk, to name a few.

Wool

Wool is made from sheep, llamas or alpaca fur. Sheep wool is the most commonly used pile material in handmade rugs. Wool is a very durable high quality yarn in comparison to synthetic thread. Wool is also naturally resistant to fire, water, and some types of stains. In addition, wool is naturally resistant to dust mites, which can agitate people with allergies.

Cotton

Cotton is a naturally strong fiber. This material is used mostly in combination with wool as a foundation. However, in some areas weavers like Turkomans use this material in small areas to create a contrast in the design of a rug.

Silk

Silk is the most expensive rug thread which is derived from the cocoons of silkworms, which flourish on mulberry plants. Originally, silk came from China but was later grown in other countries such as Iran, India, and Turkey. Currently, the best quality silk comes from China and the Southern Caspian Sea shores of Iran.

Synthetic

Synthetic includes man made materials such as rayon, nylon and viscose.

Nylon

Nylon is a highly used synthetic material used in rug development. The fiber is stain and soil resilient and can be cleaned easily. The cost of predominantly nylon rugs are also cheaper than those made of natural materials. However, unlike natural material rugs, synthetic rugs tend not to hold their value as well.

Faux Silk

Faux Silk is usually a synthetic material, made from viscose and rayon. It can also be mercerized from cotton and look and feel like real silk. Sometimes this is used in the creation of entire piles and sometimes as accents to add different texture and enhance the design of a rug.