How a Handmade Rug Is Made

Heirloom

Hand Knotted

Heirloom, long-lasting, finest detail

Every knot is tied by hand around the warp threads on a loom, so the pattern and the structure of the rug are one and the same. It is the slowest method, and the most durable. A well-made piece can last for generations and can be repaired knot by knot.

• Weeks to months per rug, depending on size and knot density
• Pile is woven in, with no glued backing
• Best for living rooms, dining rooms and rooms where the rug is the centrepiece

Soft and modern

Hand Tufted

Soft, sculptural, contemporary

A hand-held tufting gun punches yarn through a stretched cloth backing following a drawn design. The pile is then sheared or carved, and a second backing is applied. It is quicker than knotting, which makes bolder, larger designs and sculpted pile practical.

• Faster to make, so more design freedom and sizes
• Plush underfoot; pile can be carved into relief patterns
• Best for bedrooms, lounges and contemporary interiors

Natural and textured

Hand Loom

Natural, easy-living

Yarns are woven on a loom without knotting, producing a dense, textured surface. Natural fibres such as jute, cotton and wool are common.

• A relaxed, organic texture
• Works well in busy family rooms
• Often a lighter, more affordable option

Light and versatile

Flat Weave

Light, reversible, practical

Warp and weft are interlaced into a thin, reversible rug with no pile, as in a dhurrie or kilim. Patterns are woven in rather than cut.

• Thin, light and easy to move or clean
• Often reversible
• Good for dining areas, hallways and layering