Have you ever wondered why rugs have fringe? It’s not just for decorative purposes. The fringe at the end of a hand-knotted rug is actually the warps of the rug: the strands that the knots are tied around to create the rug. Warps are usually cotton, but the rug itself will most likely be constructed from wool or silk.
This may lead you to ask whether every hand-knotted rug has fringe and if fringe is a surefire sign that your rug has been hand-knotted. Don’t worry, the experts at Rug Source have all the answers you seek! Consider this your guide to fringe. It contains all the information you need to know.
My rug has a fringe; does that mean it’s hand-knotted?
Unfortunately, no! Because many people associate fringe with high-quality, hand-knotted rugs, it has become popular to attach fringe to man made rugs in order to give that same impression of luxury and craftsmanship.
A closer look at your rug’s fringe will help you determine whether your rug is hand or machine made. If the fringe is part of the rug’s structure, an extension of its warps, then this means the rug is hand-knotted. If it has been added after the rug is finished, this is a sign the rug was made by a machine.
Although a rug’s fringe doesn’t mean that it’s hand-knotted, you can use the fringe to determine whether your rug is hand-knotted or not!
My rug doesn’t have a fringe; does that mean it is machine made?
You might assume that any rug without a fringe is machine made; however, this isn’t the case either. It’s perfectly possible for a rug to be hand-knotted and still not have a fringe.
Don’t worry! There are still ways to tell machine made rugs from hand-knotted ones.
For example, if your rug has some variations in the knot sizes, this is an indication that it’s hand-knotted. Only machines can create perfectly uniform knots, so irregularity is a good sign!
Another way to figure out whether your rug is hand-knotted or not is to look at the variation in the colors. If you notice some slight irregularities, this may mean that the wool was hand-dyed using natural dyes. Fibers dyed in a factory using synthetic colors would be more consistent in appearance.
How can I protect the fringe of my rug?
If you have a hand-knotted rug with fringe, you should be aware that it’s very delicate. Although you should vacuum your rug regularly to remove surface dirt, you should not use your beater bar attachment. In fact, it may be more sensible to use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum, especially when you’re treating the fringe.
To be even more careful, don’t vacuum the fringe of your carpet at all. Instead, use a soft horsehair brush to remove dust and debris. This will maintain the integrity of your fringe.
When the time comes to have your rug immersion cleaned, ensure you hire a professional service that specializes in area rugs. Otherwise, your fringe could be easily damaged.
Where can I find hand-knotted rugs with fringe?
If you’re looking for the best in hand-knotted rugs, then check out Rug Source’s collection. We stock only the highest quality rugs, and we have a diverse range available—including options with or without fringe!
Read our other blog posts on Hand-Knotted Rugs:
- https://rugsource.com/how-can-you-tell-the-quality-of-a-hand-knotted-rug/
- https://rugsource.com/where-are-hand-knotted-rugs-made/
- https://rugsource.com/how-long-does-a-hand-knotted-rug-last/
- https://rugsource.com/the-benefits-of-handmade-rugs/
- https://rugsource.com/comparing-hand-woven-and-hand-knotted-rugs-what-to-know-about-these-hand-made-rugs/
- https://rugsource.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-hand-knotted-and-hand-woven-rug/
- https://rugsource.com/how-to-clean-hand-knotted-rugs/
- https://rugsource.com/hand-knotted-vs-hand-tufted-rugs-how-can-you-tell-the-difference/