Hand Knotted Rugs Hand Knotted Rugs
Written By : RugKnots  |  

If you are here, then we bet you want to buy good quality hand knotted area rugs. Not everyone knows this, but hand-knotted area rugs bring culture, luxury and beauty to your home. There are lots of things to consider before buying the right rug for your home. Here are the few questions you may have when buying a Rug.

      • What is a hand-knotted rug?  
      • How is a hand knotted rug made?    
      • How do I clean a hand-knotted rug?
      • What style should I choose for my space? 

Well keep on reading to find out more about it. 

Ivory Ziegler Area Rug

1. Hand-Knotted Rugs Are Oriental Weaver Rugs

Hand-knotted rugs are the cream of the crop when it comes to area rugs and carpets. A skilled weaver individually ties every single knot to create intricate patterns and designs.
Check Out How A Hand Knotted Rug Is Made!

2. Hand Knotted Vs Hand Tufted rugs

Hand-tufted rugs are made using a tufting tool to punch the yarn into a fabric backing to hid the glue that is holding the rug together. The tufted rug process is very similar. The tufting gun speeds up the process significantly and very little skill is needed to complete a tufted rug, resulting in a significant decrease in quality and price. As a proof we have listed this beautiful rug for you to check out.  Orange Ziegler Area Rug

3. A Hand Knotted Rug Is Woven By Hand 

Hand-knotted rugs are the cream of the crop when it comes to area rugs and carpets. A skilled weaver individually ties every single knot to create intricate patterns and designs. The knots are tied to the warp threads, cut and then tied again to secure the knot. An experienced weaver can tie one knot every two seconds! Just like this beautiful black Ziegler rug, it is one of our finest best sellers.  Black Ziegler Area Rug

4. Know What Type Of Knot You Are Looking For

There are three main types of knots in a hand-knotted rug.

Persian Knot (Senneh Knot) / Turkish Knot (Ghiordes Knot)    

The Persian knot is asymmetrical and open to one side. Persian knots are used to create more intricate curvilinear or floral patterns on hand knotted Persian rugs. Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, and China are some of the places that is known for this knot. Instead of being tied around two warp threads, the weaver ties the knot around four. The weaver spends less time on the rug, resulting in lower value and quality. 

Gold Ikat Area Rug


5. Hand Knotted Rugs Can Be Woven Using Wool/Silk

Hand-knotted rugs will never be woven using synthetic materials like polypropylene, nylon, acrylic, or polyester. Silk Hand knotted area rugs that are woven from silk are stunningly luxurious. Silk, being an expensive material, rugs of this type have a higher price. Both of these resemble silk even at the chemical level. Bamboo silk, a naturally produce silk, is an excellent alternative to traditional silk.  

Bamboo silk is more durable and more environmentally friendly like the naturally produced caterpillar silk. Both materials are made the same way, but just opt with bamboo silk, so we can save poor little silk caterpillar lives! hand knotted wool rugs Sheared from a sheep, wool is hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial and a renewable resource. The sheep are not hurt in the process.
Wool and Silk When an area rug is woven with the used of both wool and silk, usually the bulk of the rug is wool and silk is woven into the intricate design to create a sheen.  Such as, this stunning grey Ikat area rug. 

Grey Ikat Area Rug

6. A Hand Knotted Rug Takes Time To Weave

An average weaver can weave about 10,000 knots in an eight hour day. It could take between 30 days and 8 years to weave a carpet. Most company’s rugs will take about 9 months to 1 year to complete. RugKnots can weave and deliver a hand-knotted rug within 4 months! 

Multi-Color Ikat Area Rug

7. A Hand Knotted Rug Is A One-of-A-Kind Piece

RugKnots weavers are specialized artisans who do not use stencils during the weaving process. All RugKnots rugs are one-of-a-kind. Every rug is exceptionally woven and knotted to create a unique work of art for you to display in your home  Brown Ziegler Area Rug

8. The Number Of Knots Will Determine The Value

The higher the knot count, the higher the value! Many factors go into determining the value of a hand-knotted rug. These include:

      • Age
      • Size
      • Design
      • Material

However, because of the time it takes for the artisan to individually wrap every knot and the amount of wool used in the process, knot count per square inch (KSPI) is one of the largest determinants of value. Just like thread count on sheets, the best hand-knotted rugs can start out at 50 KSPI and can reach over 1000. 

9. Fringe Is Back! And It’s Important

Pay close attention to the fringe! Hand-tufted rugs are made using a tufting gun, which punches the traced pattern into a canvas. A decorative fringe is then added to give the appearance of a hand-knotted rug. In a hand-knotted rug, the fringe is a key component to holding the rug together. You will never see an authentically hand knotted rug with a glued or sewn on the fringe. The fringe is one of the defining characteristics of a hand-knotted rug. Here is how to tell the difference:  

-The fringe on the hand-knotted rug is a part of the weave of the rug.   -The fringe on the tufted the clearly and add on. -If you look closely, you can see the wrinkled edge of the sewn on the fringe.  
Tan Ziegler Area Rug

10. Understanding Types Of Dye Is Essential

Most dyes will appear brilliant and true to exactly what you are looking for when you first see them. Despite how they look at first, determining whether they are good or bad lies within whether or not they are colorfast.
THE GOOD- Colorfast dye Although it is difficult to determine, you can take a damp cloth and place it over the rug to be left overnight. If the dye transfers onto the cloth, the dye is not stable. To do this, ask if you can take the rug out on consignment for at least 24 hours to be sure that your dye is colorfast. If the rug dealer does not allow the consignment OR does not offer a money back guarantee, walk away. RugKnots only uses stable dyes and offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all rugs purchases. 
THE BAD- Fugitive dyes Never purchase a rug that is dyed with fugitive dye. If you spill even the tiniest drop of water on them, the dye will bleed onto everything - carpet below, clothing, and skin. This results from a short cut. The rug was not properly rinsed after the dying process.
THE UGLY- Ink If you ever hear of a rug being dyed with ink, run as fast as you can. This is a shady process that unscrupulous Rug dealers use to hid imperfections in their rugs. Ink cannot be stabilized and will bleed like nothing you have seen before.

11. New Zealand Wool Is The Best In The market

Be sure to ask your dealer where the wool from their rugs is sourced. At Rug Knots, we use 100% New Zealand wool to provide the highest quality, one-of-a-kind, hand knotted rugs on the market. If you purchase an area rug woven with wool from India, you may end up with a HUGE shedding problem on your hands. Dealers use this wool because it is highly processed, therefore provides cheaper production costs.

12. Finding The Right Dealer Is EVERYTHING

The wrong dealer could seriously cost you — we're talking about money, time, energy! When buying in-store make sure you are going to be well informed. With synthetic rugs flooding the market, there are not much brick and mortar hand-knotted rug dealers out there. If you think that something is up, politely decline their offer and find another dealer. Do NOT be afraid to buy a hand-knotted rug online! Reputable online dealers offer a money back guarantee return policy and will never hesitate to answer your questions. 
Ivory Ziegler Area Rug

13. Difference Between A Persian And Oriental Rug

Persian rugs are any hand-knotted rug that is made in Iran, which is modern-day Persia. Rugs that are hand knotted in other countries in or near the following countries are  considered oriental rugs.
      • India
      • China
      • Pakistan
      • Afghanistan
      • Egypt

Persia once made the best rugs. Now, with advanced trading and globalization, every country makes all qualities of rugs, good and bad. With Persian vs Oriental rugs, one is not better than the other. They are just simply different.

Red Persian Area Rug

14. Beware Of The Old Bait And Switch

This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. In a store, the rug dealers may have samples on display. Great! You can view what you are buying — see it, touch it and imagine it in your home but If after you purchase the rug, the dealer pulls out an already sealed and packed rug to take home, ask questions. You need to see the actual physical rug before you take it home, or before you even swipe your card, to be sure it is the same style and quality you just agreed to buy.

15. A Hand Knotted Rug Can Be An Investment Piece

Yes, you read that right! Quality hand-knotted rugs hold their value EXTREMELY well. With love and care, you will be able to not only pass your wool rugs down to your grandchildren but, be able to invest in an art piece that has proven investment potential.

16. Hand Knotted Rugs Demand A Higher Price

Would you ever go to Target looking for an investment? Of course not! Big box stores sell mass-produced merchandise meant for limited use and only aesthetically pleasing for a short time. You know, before they fall apart, those products were never meant to last. The best hand-knotted rugs are meant to last centuries; no wears, no tears. Hand-knotted rugs combined to form and function perfectly to create a useful work one of a kind art.

17. Do You Want To Go Custom Or In Stock?

If you need a rug that does not come in common dimensions, a custom made area rug may be the way to go. Nothing is more attractive better than a well styled, well-fitted rug that compliments your space. Do not fall into the spell of using a rug that is too small because you don’t have the time to find one large rug perfectly enough for your space. The best way to figure out the right size area rug you need is to outline the space with masking tape.

18. Maybe You Want To Go Antique?

A hand-knotted antique rug can add endless charm, mystery and intrigue to your space. However, the inspiration of long lost times comes with a not so inspiring price tag, antique rug prices tend to run higher than new hand-knotted rugs.

      • The range of colors in vegetable dyes is limited.
      • Look up the time period you rug is supposedly from.
      • There is a limited range of dyes used in any specific time period.
      • The pile of an antique rug has a smooth gradation of color from the base of the knot.
      • If the color changes halfway up the pile it is clearly delineated
      • The rug is probably new and has been chemically surfaced washed to fade the colors
      • It is similar to lines of demarcation in peroxide blonde hair
      • The knots on the back of an old, well-used rug will be slightly flat.
      • These knots could be compared with the rounded knots of a new hand-knotted rug.
      • Research to see if the design, pattern, or color was discontinued at a certain point. If so, the rug will be inherently more valuable.

 Check Out our over dye area rug collection to have a better look at them.  Grey Overdyed Area Rug

19. Choose The Right Size And Style For Your Home

This is another place where that money back guarantee will come in handy. You can see the rug in your living room or in any space at your home and decide whether or not it fits your style. Or you could mix things up! We are obsessed with the juxtaposition of modern and antique coming together to create a unique style! This is an exotic style popular in Iran and all over the Middle East. Purple Overdyed Area Rug


20. Do Hand Knotted Rugs Shed?

Because wool is a natural fiber, it is prone to shedding. After the first few weeks in your home, the shedding will decrease and your rug will stop shedding completely. If you see an abnormal amount of shedding on a day to day basis, check with your dealer. Your rug may have been woven with lesser quality wool.

21. They Crease And That’s A Good Sign!

Do you know how your wool or cotton trousers or blouses get creased? Wool rugs do the same. Wool rugs will not wrinkle, but they will crease if they are folded in the same position for too long. To remove the crease, simply fold in the opposite direction until the rug straightens out. Synthetic rugs cannot be folded, only rolled into logs. This is because they have a hard plastic backing that cannot be folded.

22. Hand Knotted Rugs Need To Be Rotated

Especially if your hand knotted carpets is placed in a high sun or high traffic area, or even used in an outdoor furniture as décor and to make sure the rug stays even throughout its long lifetime, simply rotate the rug every few months to keep it looking bright and fresh!
Brown Gabbeh Area Rug

23. So There Maybe An Odor

Trust us, it will go away easily. Wool contains lanolin, which has natural anti-bacterial properties — meaning bacteria that inhibits the foul odor cannot grow on  the area rug.. When you first get your rug home it may smell like the warehouse it was stored in. Don't panic. Your rug will warm up to your home in no time and with a little love and care, it will smell fresh and clean. If you ordered your rug online and it arrived in a plastic shipping bag, give the rug a few days to filter the plastic odor and absorb your homes aroma.
Black Ziegler Area Rug

24. Cleaning is Seriously Not That Bad!

Wool has a natural hydrophobic (water resistant) exterior but a hydrophilic (water absorbing) interior. This means that if water-based stains are cleaned within 15 minutes. But, if water sets in, the rug may develop on odor. This is why it is essential to have your wool hand-knotted rug professionally cleaned once a year. For subtle stains, first, soak up the stain with a dry paper towel. Then simply apply a cloth dampened with:

      • 8 parts of water
      • 1 part white vinegar
      • A small quirt of a clear mild dish soap solution

Dab in the solution, never rub. Hand knotted wool rugs contain tiny pockets that hide dust and dirt exceptionally well. You will want to vacuum your wool rug one every 1-3 weeks. Orange Overdyed Area Rug

25. Where Do I buy? How To Get A Deal?

The answer is simple, really. From the factory where it is made, to the supplier, to the seller, the rug can pass through 5-10 different hands. Your best bet at getting a great deal without sacrificing quality is a factory direct shop. RugKnots works factory direct and sells the best hand knotted rugs— meaning we do not pay a middle man, which means that you don't pay a middle man! Depending on the connection, the seller could have paid the middle man a lot, a little, or like RugKnots, nothing at all. RugKnots shows you the price of the rug before, then the price of the rug after. This is NOT the fake sale price. Teal Overdyed Area Rug

Hand Knotted wool rugs are made from pure 100% wool and are woven completely by hand. One of the reasons why they are expensive. Another fact about hand knotted rugs is that they include some popular styles such as Persian, Oriental, Ziegler rugs. You might want to change the interior of your home and we are here to  help you just do that. We have come up with some beautiful 100 Hand Knotted Rugs for you to have a look at.   

Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Knotted Rugs 

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by you!

1. Are Hand Knotted Rugs Worth Buying?

Obviously, for sure! Hand Knotted rugs hold great worth and can be a huge investment. They hold great importance and worth and if its quality is maintained, it can pay off real good! 

2. How Long Do Hand Knotted Rugs Last?

It depends on the manufacturer and the material used. The better the quality and manufacturer, longer the lifespan of the hand knotted rug. However, the average time that it can last is about around 20 years!  

3. What Is The Difference Between Hand Woven And Hand Knotted Rugs?

The main difference is that in simple words, a hand knotted rug is knotted knot per knot while a hand woven rug is a flat weave in type meaning, it's flat! 

4. How Can You Tell If A Rug Is Hand Knotted?

The fringe on the rug is made from the warp threads of handmade rugs on a rugs. However, on the machine it is usually sewn onto the rug at the end.

5. Do Hand-Knotted Rugs Shed?

Due to the use of Wool or Silk or the combination of both the rugs do not shed at all. 

6. How Can You Tell If A Rug Is Good Quality?

The line count is the number of knots or stitches per square inches. If the number goes up so the quality is better as well. These rugs are hand-made and are expensive with an extremely detailed pattern. 

7. Do All Hand Knotted Rugs Have Fringe?

Hand-knotted rugs usually have fringes as they do not have binding on the ends. They are made from natural fibers mostly either wool or wool and silk or a combination of the two. These fibers have longevity and are great to use for carpet weaving.

Furthermore, if you have more questions or want any rug done in a custom size, please email us at info@rugknots.com or call us at (301) 660-7046‬. At RugKnots we are more than happy to help our clients through their mission to find the perfect rug for their home. 

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Jetta

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Kathy Rodeffer

We own a couple of silk hand knotted rugs we have had for decades. We are ready to sell them. We live near Charlotte NC. What’s the best way to sell them? One of the rugs was made in Iran.

richard ulzheimer

recently saw a 9×12 oriental hand knotted rug made in india at the store the dump org .10000 marked down to 6000 then 3600. what are your thoughts

Dr Asha Kapadia

Amazing clarity I got thru this information..feel more confident to buy another one..

Louis

Hi there, thank you so much for this education!! Simply amazing. I was wondering though. What about overstock. There is a rug on there (her at oriental indo hand knotted rug) and says its 200kpsi, and “This rug was created in the Varanasi region of India. All washing, spinning and dyeing of the wool are by a village family at their home. Weavers of the Mahal design use the asymmetrical or Persian knot, giving their rugs exceptional softness and flexibility. Natural dyes are used to give the rugs their rich colors”. The rug is on sale for 900 dollars. I’m just not sure. It has all the positive things you listed except the type if wool. I have never ordered from overstock and know nothing about the brand. Could you please help?

Rugknots Oriental Rugs

@Norashikin, Thanks for your comments! We’re actually a family owned business and hand knot our rugs in Pakistan.

Norashikin

Thank you for the very informative article! There are many hand knotted rugs that have already been made by skilled knotters in the villages of Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. Do you buy from them directly? My husband and I are avid hand-knotted rug collectors and we buy from these knotters directly when we travel.