Hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs are not the same thing. The main difference between them is that they’re made using different techniques, but they vary in other ways too.
Their myriad distinctions mean that they differ in quality and price, so it’s important you know which one you want when you start to shop. This will help you set realistic expectations and avoid being overcharged.
Hand-knotted rugs have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, as do their hand-woven equivalents. Read on to learn more and to decide which type is best for you.
What is a Hand-Knotted Rug?
You may have heard hand-knotted rugs referred to by other names like Persian rugs or Oriental rugs.
Hand-knotted rugs are made by tying thousands of individual knots to a foundation. Their construction requires an ancient technique: weaving by hand on a loom to create intricate designs. Producing a hand-knotted rug takes a long time.
You can tell a hand-knotted rug from its appearance. It looks very different on each side: one is more plush and detailed looking. These rugs are also made from high-quality natural materials like wool, silk, and cotton, and the final result is a flatter pile than other rugs. They usually have a fringe.
What is a Hand-Woven Rug?
Hand-woven rugs are often called flatweaves. This is because they don’t have a pile or any actual knots, so they’re flat in shape. Another name for a hand-woven rug is a Kilim rug. Kilim is a Turkish word, reflecting where this style of rug originated from.
Hand-woven rugs are made by hand using a weaving technique; however, they don’t take as much time or skill to make as a hand-knotted rug. Their construction is comparable to that of a woven basket.
Wool is the main material used to make a Kilim rug. In fact, it’s often the only material used!
What About Hand-Tufted Rugs?
Just to add more confusion, you’ll also find rugs on the market that are described as “hand-tufted.” This name doesn’t tell the whole story, as a hand-tufted rug is not completely made by hand.
Like a hand-woven rug, hand-tufted rugs are made of wool. To make a hand-tufted rug, someone has to use a tool that shoots wool through the canvas backing. There are no knots involved, and if it has a fringe, it has been glued on at the end.
Hand-tufted rugs still look relatively handmade, but they can be made in a day as opposed to taking months to create, and their price reflects that.
Choosing the Right Rug For You
Hand-knotted rugs are the most expensive type; however, the level of artisanship involved in their creation makes them an investment.
Both hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs last a long time, but hand-knotted rugs last slightly longer. They can even be passed down generations.
For those on a tight budget still looking for a handmade appearance, a hand-tufted rug might be the right option.
No matter what kind of rug you’re interested in, you’ll find it at Rug Source. We’re an established and reputable rug dealer with an extensive collection of new and antique rugs of all descriptions and designs.
Check out our online store for inspiration!
Read our other blog posts on Hand-Knotted Rugs:
- https://rugsource.com/do-all-hand-knotted-rugs-have-fringe/
- 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/how-to-clean-hand-knotted-rugs/
- https://rugsource.com/hand-knotted-vs-hand-tufted-rugs-how-can-you-tell-the-difference/