THE BUYING GUIDE
Choosing and customizing a rug design according to your specifications was the easy bit. Choosing the weave and material type on the other hand, is slightly more difficult. Our handmade rugs are classified based on the weaving technique and the yarn used.Here at Rug Artisan, we not only give you the freedom to choose your own design, colors, weave and material, we also offer detailed insight to assist you in making these choices.
Rug Artisan Rugs
Hand Knotted
Hand knotted rugs are known worldwide for their exclusivity and individuality. Originally associated with Persian rugs, they get their intricate look from the thousands of hand-tied knots instrumental in producing them. These rugs do not use any cloth backing or glue and knots can range from 93000 to 232500 per square metre, resulting in extremely intricate details in every design.
Technique - The yarn is stretched over a loom both horizontally and vertically, also termed as warp and weft. The weaver begins weaving at the bottom and works his way towards the top, forming rows of knots underneath to create a pattern on top. The higher the density of the knots the more complex the design can be produced. A good quality hand knotted rug can last for generations.
Hand Tufted
The process for creating a luxury designer hand tufted rug requires a different kind of expertise, with its first recorded origins to be in ancient Persia, modern day Iran. A common yet difficult technique to master, each rug banks on the creativity and skill of the weaver in terms of tuft placement and design. Variations in the weave are possible in hand tufted rugs by having a cut pile or a loop pile, or even a combination of both.
Technique - The tufting technique resembles handcrafted embroidery wherein a pattern is traced on to a cloth and the thread work follows. Hand tufted rugs are created by looping the yarn through a sheeted cloth material, stretched onto a frame on which the pattern has been printed. The yarn is looped through with the help of a hand operated tool. The pile height can be varied at the time of tufting.
Flat Weave
Traditionally known as Dhurries in South Asia, these handwoven flat weave rugs are a staple must have in your home or workspace. They have always been chosen due to its mobility, lightweight and generally feature beautiful symmetrical designs in a range of colors. Since there’s no pile, these rugs lay very flat and are entirely reversible.
Technique - Flatweave rugs are commonly made on horizontal looms. These looms lie flat and close to the ground, with two wooden beams tied at both ends and the foundation stretched between these two beams. The weaver ties knots in loops and instead of the yarn being cut after the second loop, the same knot is continued. The initial thread then continues to create more knots, in an interlacing fashion. Outer seams hold the woven structure together with either stitching or a bit of glue.
Rug Artisan Yarns
Pure Wool
Wool is a naturally occurring fibre and has a number of benefits over other natural and man-made fibres. It is obtained from sheep and other animals, including cashmere and mohair from goats, and angora from rabbits. An amazing and ancient material, it retains dye colors well, is resilient, and naturally resists damage from water, fire, dust mites, and staining.
Indian Wool
Indian wool is devoid of crimp and comes in shades of white from off white to a lustrous white. Its fibres are flexible, resisting and recovering from bending and distortion. The elasticity of the yarn helps improve resilience and volume bulk of the custom wool rugs. The lustre present in this wool adds an aesthetic appeal, resulting in a Famous for its temperature regulating qualities, it is the ideal rug to have to remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
New Zealand Wool
New Zealand wool is whiter with a higher lustre than other wools, which allows more shades of colors to be dyed like clean pastel shades and deeper blacks. New Zealand wool is 100% natural and renewable with each sheep growing a new fleece every year. It is biodegradable, recyclable and has essential nutrients beneficial for plant life. A naturally resilient material, New Zealand wool bounces back, reducing flattening and wear of your custom rug. The surface acts as a natural air filter and purifier, trapping dust particles and pollen which may be vacuumed up thus enabling low maintenance. This incredible material is capable of resisting extreme temperatures up to 700 degrees Celsius and even self-extinguishes once the source of fire is removed. The soft yet durable fibres absorb unwanted noise to create a calm, comfortable setting. Like its Indian counterpart, New Zealand wool regulates its temperature, ensuring warm winters and cool summers.
Tibetan Wool
Tibetan wool is considered one of the most beautiful and robust of all wools. Since no chemical treatment is used in its sourcing, the wool retains its natural characteristics, soft, strong and extremely dense. The high fat content creates a more durable rug and considerably higher resistance to dirt. With long, elastic fibres, the rugs can retain their shape and the pile height even after lengthy periods of time. Wool's scaling and crimp make it easier to spin the fleece by helping the individual fibres attach to each other, so they stay together. It is the most common type of material found in high-end area rugs.
Pure Silk
Silk is an ancient material, its first recorded use dating back to 27th century BC in China. The entire process of silk production is known as sericulture, where raw silk is extracted from silkworms in their cocoons, into long fibres ready to be fed into the spinning reel. Famously recognized for its incredibly soft texture, strength, durability and versatility, silk is the ideal material. Added for its shine, even a small amount will instantly enhance the appearance of your custom rug. Due to its natural protein structure, the fibres naturally repel mould and mildew and the smooth texture creates an hypoallergenic material which won’t irritate sensitive skin. In spite of its delicate appearance, silk is relatively robust and the smooth surface resists soil and odours well. While abrasion resistance is moderate, it is a strong natural fibre and, surprisingly, it easily competes with steel yarn in tensile strength. Silk is surprisingly easy to care for and will retain its beauty for years–in fact, that’s why silk is so often used in legacy pieces that are passed down from generation to generation.
Bamboo Silk
The process of making the bamboo silk begins by extracting the cellulose in the bamboo, find into a paste and then left in the sun to dry. After it has dried, it is then expelled to become a soft silky fibre. This short process results in soft yet durable rugs capable of withstanding high traffic. They are sustainable and a cost effective solution for custom rugs. Just like pure silk, the material contains antimicrobial and hypoallergenic properties. Due to its organic origins, it is 100% biodegradable, eco-friendly and is known to be an efficient thermal insulator. Bamboo silk may be teamed with wool to help it retain its shape and resiliency.
