The Basics of Rug Weaving

Posted by Guarantee Green Team on January 15th, 2012

Oriental rugs have been around, in some form, for thousands of years. Although human kind has changed dramatically since the weaving of the first rugs, hand made rugs are still woven in the same way.

Rugs are woven on a loom, which is a large structure that holds the basic foundation of the rug. The loom used by nomadic tribal weavers is the horizontal loom. This loom is portable, but it can only make smaller sized area rugs. The upright loom is more stable, and is used for rugs of all sizes.

The foundation of the rug is usually formed with rows of cotton, around which the main design is created using a series of knots. The designs are sometimes artistic creations, and others are passed down through the generations by families of rug weavers.

The two types of knots that are used are the symmetrical Turkish knot called the Ghiordes, and the asymmetrical Persian knot called the Senneh. The Turkish knot is the more common of the two, and is also much sturdier.

Area rugs are more than just floor coverings, they are works of art. The fascinating art of rug weaving has remained as timeless as the rugs themselves.