Glossary of Terms

Knot

There are two basic types of knots used in oriental rugs:

Persian Senneh
A fine asymmetrical knot used in fine urban and complex tribal carpets. Observers will notice that these rugs have a light and a dark side.
Turkish Ghiordes
The symmetrical knot used in most tribal carpets it makes for a higher pile heavy wearing style of rug. Chinese carved carpets also feature this knot.

Knot News

Latest News

Nine reasons we love flat weave rugs (and you should, too!) ...und, created using a simple weaving technique that yields beautifully intricate patterns and rich colors. Threads are woven on a loom into colorful patterns, without the pile or backing you’d find on knotted or tufted rugs. As a result, flat weaves tend to be lighter, more flexible, and reversible — since the pattern is the same on both sides of the rug. There are any number of variations ...
Rugs 101 ...nsion of the wrap threads on two opposite ends of the rug. HAND - The tactile aesthetic qualities of carpet and textiles; how it feels to the hand. HAND-KNOTTED - Tying or knotting pile yarns around woven backing fibers. The resulting face of the rugs is then sheered to a pre-determined height to give the pile uniformity. The more knots per s...
Area Rugs ...es not even span from one wall to another, and is typically not even attached as part of the floor. Area Rugs can be produced on a loom quite similar to woven fabric, made using needle felts, knotted by hand (in oriental rugs), made with their pile injected into a backing material (called tufting), flatwoven, made by hooking wool or cotton through the meshes of a sturdy fabric or embroider...
Hand-Made Rugs ...On a knotted pile carpet (formally, a "supplementary weft cut-loop pile" carpet), the structural weft threads alternate with a supplementary weft that rises at right angles to the surface of the weave. This supplementary weft is attached to the warp by one of three knot types (see below), such as shag carpet which was popular in the 1970s, to form the pile or nap of the carpet. Knotting ...
Hooked Rugs ...dles and speed hooks are also used to make hooked rugs, although the hooking techniques and rug appearance differ. Rug hooking is not the same as latch-hooking, which uses a hinged hook to form a knotted pile from short pieces of yarn. Hooked rugs are cheerful, handmade rugs produced using scraps of fabric or wool. Antiques - especially early North American hooked rugs - can be ex...
Bokhara Rugs .... Bokhara artisans would incorporate a weave cotton warp and weft (old Turkomans were almost always on wool foundation) in a huge variety of qualities, from really bad rugs with fewer than 50 knots per sq. in. to very tightly woven pieces with over 288 knots per sq. in. Most have wool pile, but some have "silk" inlay (a common market name for this type is "Jaldar"). This "silk" is almost a...
Chinese Rugs ... because its fringe is attached after the rug is manufactured rather than being an integral part of the rug. You also can pull individual threads from the pile because a machine-made rug doesn't have knots. The number of knots in a rug can be a general indication of its quality. Knots show how much work went into making the rug. More knots mean more work. More knots also make possible a gr...
Persian Rugs ... be their best for some 30 to 40 years. Persian rugs are characterized by their wonderfully rich colors and strong designs and motifs. They are made using either wool or silk threads that are knotted by hand and then backed onto a deep red weave backing. Although many countries around the world use traditional Persian designs, all genuine Persian carpets and rugs are made in Iran and nowhe...
Ryas Rugs ...p>Rya means shaggy. Because the density of its pile is good insulation against the cold winters, the rya rug is found all over Scandinavia. Originally ryas rugs were woven on a loom with the pile knotted on the warp threads by hand but now you can use a canvas foundation and knot the wool with a ratchet hook. Rya rugs have an individual style of coloring. Each knot is made of three strand...
Savonnerie Rugs ...The Savonnerie rug, aristocrat of rugs of the Western world, was first produced in 1628. The Savonnerie rug has a textured pile, knotted by hand in much the same manner as an Oriental carpet, with a Turkish knot. Savonnerie rugs are usually baronial in size and are better suited to elaborate and formal rooms. Named for a children's hospice in Southern France, in the 17th c. students of Pierre D...
Turkish Rugs ...h rugs from Hereke, one of the finest carpet making towns, often use calligraphy as a motif. Turkish rugs also tend to be more coarsely woven than Persian rugs, and are always woven with the Ghiordes knot. The colors most frequently used are red and blue; green, their sacred color, is used on prayer rugs. You'll find Turkish rugs called Koula, Ladik, Bergoma, Milas, or Ghiordes. Wool is th...
Pakistan Rugs ...habitants used spindles and spun a wide variety of weaving materials. Some historians consider that the Indus Valley civilization first developed the use of woven textiles. As of the late 1990s, hand-knotted carpets were among Pakistan's leading export products and their manufacture is the second largest cottage and small industry. Pakistani craftsmen have the capacity to produce any type of carpe...
Indian (India) Rugs ...ecome outmoded. Some motifs have a profound meaning: the circle signifies eternity, the zigzag water and light, the swastika darkness and the tree happiness and goodness. The origins of hand-knotted carpets can be traced back more than 2000 years. In India, the hand knotted carpets appeared in the 15th century. In Kashmir it attained a high degree of perfection especially in the 16th and ...
Traditional Rugs ...rs like reds, blues, golds, and earth tones. Crafted from high-quality materials like wool, silk, or cotton, traditional rugs are known for their durability and craftsmanship, often handwoven or hand-knotted. They add a sense of elegance and sophistication to any space, blending seamlessly with formal and classic interior styles. The intricate detailing and cultural depth of traditional rugs make ...
Hand-Tufted Rugs ...l is then applied for added durability. This technique allows for intricate patterns and a plush pile, offering a textured and luxurious feel underfoot. Hand-tufted rugs are more affordable than hand-knotted varieties while still providing considerable artistic flexibility and customization in terms of design, color, and size. They make a great addition to both residential and commercial spaces, a...
Old World Rugs ...d in deep, rich color palettes that evoke a sense of antiquity and timelessness. Crafted from natural fibers like wool and silk, Old World Rugs are known for their superb craftsmanship, detailed hand-knotting, and often, a slightly distressed finish that enhances their vintage appeal. Ideal for adding a sophisticated and cultured look to any room, these rugs blend beautifully with both antique fur...