Rug Construction

HAND BRAIDED

Materials are braided by hand and stitched together into the desired shape. This results in a desirable organic look and feel and allows for a variety of textures. Hand braided rugs may appear less uniform in shape than other hand made rugs, as they are not made on a fixed loom. They will be flat woven and reversible.

HAND KNOTTED

A skilled weaver will work from a loom, individually tying each knot through the backing. Hand knotted rugs are the most prestigious rug style and are of the highest quality and durability.

HAND LOOMED

The fabric is handwoven or braided by hand onto a loom. This gives the rug more structure and form than a hand braided or hand-woven rug, and a more uniform size.

HAND TUFTED

This method uses a tufting "gun" which is operated by hand, punching strands of fibre into a canvas that is stretched across a frame.

Many hand tufted rugs are also hand carved, where the artisan will use large scissors to define the borders of elements within the design.

MASHINE MADE RUGS

Machine made rugs are made on a fixed loom, with a complex system of threads being mechanically woven into a strong yet thin backing. Also known as "power loomed" or "machine loomed" rugs, they come in a wide array of qualities and styles.

AXMINSTER LOOM

Axminster-loomed rugs are a special and rare type of machine loomed rugs, made in a single factory in the Netherlands according to a traditional process, resulting in a sturdy rug with a short pile that lends itself to digital printing.