More Than Just a Decoration: Why Owning a Handmade Rug is Worth It
In an age of mass-produced machine-made décor and trends, handmade goods have never
been more important. Why should we prioritize our spending on handmade rugs? The answer is
quite simple: Craftsmanship.
To understand why craftsmanship in handmade rugs holds so much value as opposed to
its machine-made counterparts, we must first understand the processes and history of making a
rug. Rugs have been used for over 2,500 years and are traditionally a symbol of wealth. Rugs
made in Persia, Afghan, and Turkey have popularized and celebrated for their creativity and
craftsmanship. A handmade rug uses designs that are drawn out by an artist, then weaved onto
the loom by the weaver using knotting techniques. A good weaver can knot about 7,000 knots
per day, and a quality handmade rug can have up to half a million knots total. The kind of knot
depends on the technique being used: Turkish techniques use a double knot, while a Persian
technique uses a single knot. Both are strong, and difficult to rip apart or wear down. As long as
you are washing and maintaining your rug, it can last decades and be passed down
through generations.
A handmade rug will also prioritize quality wool. Strong wool depends on the region,
season, altitude, and kind of sheep. The denser the wool, the longer a rug can be maintained. A
handmade rug weaver will prioritize the use of quality wool and dye to ensure a beautiful and
long-lasting work of art.
How does a machine-made rug differ from the practices of a handmade rug? A machine-
made rug uses an automated loom to weave its designs. These designs are usually mass produced
and made cheaper than a handmade rug. Machine-made rugs will often use cheap and thin wool
to reduce costs, also leading to faster deterioration. An automated loom will not use knots to
weave its rug, but rather simple loops. This is faster but also means the rug can be pulled apart
much easier. This can lead to significant wear and tears and your rug being worn down.
Buying a generic and mass-produced machine-made rug will result in more money spent
overall, and a piece of home décor that is not true to its history. Investing in a handmade rug is
entrusting your money into piece of art that will make a one-of-a-kind statement in your home
and honor the rich history of craftsmanship.
Go Back been more important. Why should we prioritize our spending on handmade rugs? The answer is
quite simple: Craftsmanship.
To understand why craftsmanship in handmade rugs holds so much value as opposed to
its machine-made counterparts, we must first understand the processes and history of making a
rug. Rugs have been used for over 2,500 years and are traditionally a symbol of wealth. Rugs
made in Persia, Afghan, and Turkey have popularized and celebrated for their creativity and
craftsmanship. A handmade rug uses designs that are drawn out by an artist, then weaved onto
the loom by the weaver using knotting techniques. A good weaver can knot about 7,000 knots
per day, and a quality handmade rug can have up to half a million knots total. The kind of knot
depends on the technique being used: Turkish techniques use a double knot, while a Persian
technique uses a single knot. Both are strong, and difficult to rip apart or wear down. As long as
you are washing and maintaining your rug, it can last decades and be passed down
through generations.
A handmade rug will also prioritize quality wool. Strong wool depends on the region,
season, altitude, and kind of sheep. The denser the wool, the longer a rug can be maintained. A
handmade rug weaver will prioritize the use of quality wool and dye to ensure a beautiful and
long-lasting work of art.
How does a machine-made rug differ from the practices of a handmade rug? A machine-
made rug uses an automated loom to weave its designs. These designs are usually mass produced
and made cheaper than a handmade rug. Machine-made rugs will often use cheap and thin wool
to reduce costs, also leading to faster deterioration. An automated loom will not use knots to
weave its rug, but rather simple loops. This is faster but also means the rug can be pulled apart
much easier. This can lead to significant wear and tears and your rug being worn down.
Buying a generic and mass-produced machine-made rug will result in more money spent
overall, and a piece of home décor that is not true to its history. Investing in a handmade rug is
entrusting your money into piece of art that will make a one-of-a-kind statement in your home
and honor the rich history of craftsmanship.
