Any felted textile, loom-woven or grass floor covering is called a carpet. A Rug could be described as a carpet with a finished edge that can be moved around. The first hand-knotted pile carpets originated between the 4th and 2nd century BC in Mongolia or Turkestan; however evidence of the “Pazyryk Carpet" dates back to the 5th century BC. Carpets were also popular as wall and table coverings in Europe during the 18th century.
Rugs are in some way different from carpets, thus their weaving techniques and final products vary in some subtle ways. The ancient craft of rug making covers a wide range of techniques that have been handed down over the generations. “Braided Rugs” are little strips of cloth that are sewn together to make longer strips. These long strips are then braided together and sewn at the ends; they’re then coiled around in a circular pattern and then sewn again at the edges to hold the circular pattern in place. Another traditional way of making rugs is known as “Rug Hooking”, here craftsmen pull loops of fabric or yarn through a rigid woven base made from linen, burlap, rug warp or monks cloth. A crochet type hook that is mounted on a handle is used to pull these loops through the backing material. “Rag Rugs” are common household rugs made from odd scraps of fabric.
“Needlepunch” is another technique used to make rugs; these rugs are considered to be extremely durable. This method of rug making is also known as “Speed Hooking” as it is a very easy and fast rug manufacturing practice. It has also been described as “instant gratification with wool”. “Proddy Rugs” are made by prodding or poking strips of fabric through linen or burlap from the flipside of the rug. These rugs are known by numerous names such as proddies, stobbies, clippies, pricked, and are also known as clootie mats in Scotland. These rugs hide dirt well and are often used by the backdoor. “Woven Rugs” are made on looms similar to those of woven cloth. These rugs are made from colored yarn. This process is capable of producing intricate designs on the rugs. Woven rugs are the most expensive carpets in the marketplace and are by and large used as decorative room accents. |