Know the difference between a hand-knotted rug and a machine made rug.

Before you make a rug purchase, make sure you understand how the rug is made. How the rug is made determines the level of quality and durability of the rug.

Machine made rugs

Machine made rugs can be made quickly and are manufactured with materials including wool and synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon, polyester, acrylic and artificial silk. These rugs are lower in price and have shorter life spans, some up to 15 years if made mostly from quality fibers, like wool.

When you look at the back of a machine made rug, the stitching is very even and uniform since it is done by a machine. Also, look at the fringe on the rug. The fringe is sewn on as a finishing touch. On a hand-knotted rug, the fringe is part of the foundation of the rug.

Fringe of hand-knotted rug

Hand-knotted rugs

Hand-knotted rugs are the highest quality and last for generations. The quality and durability are due to the intricate rug making process and the use of quality materials.

Hand-knotted rugs are made on a uniquely designed vertical frame called a loom and are knotted by hand. The size of the loom depends on the size of the rug being made. Columns of threads are stretched from the top to the bottom of the loom and form the foundation and the fringe ends of the rug. Then, weavers sit behind the loom and hand ties individual knots onto the vertical strings. The weavers follow a diagram to create the patterns and the colors of the rug. This arduous process produces one of a kind results that take months, sometimes years to construct.

If you look at the back of a hand-knotted rug, the weaving and knots are uneven and not perfectly uniform in nature. This is due to the fact that the process is done by hand. Also, the greater number of knots you see, the higher quality the rug is. Having a higher density of knots requires a lot more labor.

Back of hand-knotted rug

Front of hand-knotted rug

Hand-knotted rugs become showpieces that are passed down by generations, since they have such a long lifespan. For a wide selection of fine, hand-knotted rugs, visit www.agorafinerugs.com or stop by our showroom in the Scottsdale Quarter.

What is a traditional rug?

Traditional rugs usually include Turkish, Persian and Oriental rugs. These rugs have unique designs that include intricate motifs, flowers and medallions. They feature bold colors like dark navy, deep reds and rich golds. They are typically made of wool, silk and cotton.

These traditional rugs are hand-knotted and naturally dyed using vegetable dyes.

The hand-knotted technique of rug making is a very complex process. The rugs are made on a loom using an ancient technique that has been passed down for centuries. The weaver hand knots individual pieces of yarn into a loom to create the rug. This is a very detailed and intricate process that takes months to complete.

How to know if a rug is hand-knotted

You can spot the hand-knotted rug easily by turning over the rug. You can actually see each individual knot on the back of the rug. When you look closely at the knots, they often look imperfect, which illustrates the work of human hands.

Front of Rug Back of Rug

Traditional rugs can change the look of an entire space. The boldness of the color and design give you the perfect statement piece to design your room around. The rug is like a piece of art that becomes the focal point of your room or area. These hand-knotted treasures, crafted by hand, give you a masterpiece that is both elegant and durable. Visit our selection of hand-knotted traditional rugs at www.agorafinerugs.com.

How to take the stress out of picking the perfect rug

Follow these tips to easily choose a rug that will elevate your space.

Think of a rug as a focal point of your space. A high-quality rug can literally elevate any room in your home. So, what do we mean by high-quality? The most lasting and durable rugs made are those that are hand-knotted. This practice goes back a few thousand years. The process starts with a hand drawn design that shows every color and style element on graph paper. The design is then given to the weavers, who begin the process of making the rug one knot at a time. The cost is considerably higher than a machine-made rug, but you literally get what you pay for – meaning a hand-knotted rug can last well over 100 years.

Style matters

Most rugs fit into the following style categories:

· Modern – often have bold patterns with splashes of color or may contain subtle style elements in a single color family

· Transitional – contain elements of modern and traditional patterns fused together

· Traditional – typically have ornate patterns and a high level of detail

Pick a color palette

There are thousands of color combinations to choose from when it comes to rugs. If you want to make your rug the star of the show, choose bolder colors from pieces in your space. Look at your throw pillows or window treatments and showcase some of the dominant colors into your rug choice.

Choose the right material

Not all materials are created equal – so choose wisely. Pick only high quality, organic materials like wool and silk. You will be glad you did as these are the materials that last for generations. If you are adding a rug to a high traffic area, consider wool as it is very durable and easy to clean. For a bit more drama, with subtle shimmery elements, silk is a winner. You can also choose a rug that is a wool and silk blend to combine the best of both worlds.

Decide on a size and shape

Once you have your style, color family and material, the last piece of the puzzle is choosing the size and shape. The most common rug sizes are 8 x 10, 9 x 12 and 10 x 14. You can of course special order a custom rug size if you have a smaller or larger space. As for the shape, a rectangular rug will fit into just about any room. For smaller spaces, round rugs are a good choice as they make the room appear larger.

Many people build an entire room around a rug. After all, hand-knotted rugs often become family heirlooms since they have such a long lifespan. For a wide selection of fine, hand-knotted rugs, visit www.agorafinerugs.com.