Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Different Ways Rugs are Made

Area Rugs are made in a variety of ways with a rich history behind each method. Area Rugs are made through a variety of techniques. Every method creates a quality rug, so it really depends on what kind of look you prefer when shopping for a rug. Today, rugs are useful for keeping the dirt off the floor, but they also add character and warmth to the room. Rugs have been used for thousands of years for these same purposes, the earliest dating back to 4th or 5th century BCE. Rugs have historically been used for both practical and aesthetic purposes. The most common ways to make rugs are through weaving, braiding, hooking and tufting.

Woven Rugs

Weaving is the most reliable and ancient method for making rugs. Handmade woven rugs can take anywhere from months to years to complete, depending on their quality. A thin thread like silk takes longer to make than a wool thread. To create a woven rug, long thick threads that run the length of the carpet are attached to a loom. Wefts, the threads that cross the threads on the loom, are woven through. The Knotted Rug Technique uses colored knots in conjunction with wefts to made intricate patterns.

Braided Rugs

Braided rugs are low cost and very durable. They are made by braiding thick wool, yarn or scraps of fabric together. These braids are then sewn together to make different shaped rugs. Braided rugs were very popular during periods of economic strife because they could be made with virtually any material. Rugs from the colonial period are often braided for this very reason.  These rugs are great to look at because of their texture and varying colors and patterns from the different materials used.

 Hooked Rugs

Hooked rugs begin with a burlap or linen base. Yarn is then hooked through the holes in the base. You’ll notice that most carpets employ this hooking method, which results in one of the cheaper kinds of rugs. Burlap is very cheap and scrap yarn can be used. The hooking method is fairly easy to reproduce in a factory setting. This is why it is one of the most common styles of rugs available in stores. However, handmade hooked rugs can take years to finish and are much more expensive.

Tufted Rugs

Tufted rugs are created by injecting tufts of material like wool into the base of the carpet. A second base is then added to secure tuft ends. Tufted rugs are the easiest to reproduce in a factory and you will find them in outlet stores for very cheap prices. Of course, any handmade quality tufted rug takes much skill and time to make, resulting in a higher price.

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