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Making rugs by HAND

March 19, 2025 4 min read

Handmade rugs embody a rich legacy of craftsmanship, culture, and artistry that has been passed down through generations.

The allure of these rugs lies in their intricate designs, vibrant colors, and the painstaking process of their creation, which can take months or even years to complete.

Each rug tells a unique story, reflecting the history, traditions, and skilled hands of the weavers who bring them to life.

Our handmade rugs are crafted near the holy river Ganges in India, using age-old techniques such as handknotting, handtufting, and flat weaving.

Making rugs by hand is a labor of love.

Organic Weave Offers 3

Handmade Rug Techniques:

1. Flatweave

2. Handknotted

3. Handtufted

What is a flatweave rug?

Kirsten Francis Photography

A handmade flatweave rug is crafted using a weaving technique rather than knotting, which makes it thinner and reversible compared to traditional pile rugs.

Note: Flatweave rugs are light weight and many are reversible. They do not have a backing.

The process involves several key steps:

1. Materials

Only certified organic wool and certified organic cotton are used.
Non toxic, plant based dyes are used to color the the yarn.

2. Setting Up the Loom

A loom (vertical or horizontal) is prepared with warp threads (the foundation fibers stretched vertically).
The width of the warp determines the rug’s width.

3. Weaving Process

The weft threads (horizontal fibers) are woven in and out of the warp using hand techniques or simple tools like a shuttle.
Various weaving patterns are used, such as plain weave, tapestry weave, or twill weave.
Traditional flatweave styles include Kilim, Dhurrie, Soumak, and Navajo rugs.

4. Creating the Design

Artisans follow a pattern (pre-drawn or memorized) to create geometric or pictorial motifs.
Different colored yarns are introduced as needed.
Some techniques involve wrapping the weft over the warp for texture and extra durability (e.g., Soumak weaving).

5. Finishing Touches

The rug is cut off the loom and checked for imperfections.
The ends are secured with knots, fringes, or sewn edges.
If needed, the rug is washed and pressed to enhance its look and softness.

6. Quality Inspection & Final Touches

The rug is carefully examined for consistency in weave, design accuracy, and color balance.
Some rugs undergo blocking (stretching and aligning) to maintain shape.

Flatweave rugs are lightweight, durable, and some are reversible, making them popular for contemporary and traditional interiors.

Shop Flatweave Rugs

Design: Alex Nino Interiors & Photo: Kirsten Francis

Handknotted rugs are among the most labor-intensive and high-quality rugs in the world, made entirely by skilled artisans.

The process involves tying individual knots by hand onto a loom, creating intricate and durable designs.

Note: Handknotted rugs do not have a backing. The back of the rug is the foundation of the rug.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how they are made:

1. Designing the Rug

The process starts with a detailed design , either drawn on graph paper or digitally created.

2. Materials

Only certified organic wool and certified organic cotton are used.
Non toxic, plant based dyes are used to color the the yarn.

3. Preparing the Loom

A vertical loom is set up with tightly stretched warp threads (the foundation fibers, in cotton or wool).
The size and density of the warp threads determine the rug’s knot density and final size.

4. Knotting Process (Handknotting the Pile)

The weaver ties individual knots around each pair of warp threads using colored yarns.
We use these knot types:
- Persian (Senneh) Knot – asymmetric, used in Persian and finer rugs.
- Tibetan Knot – wrapped around a temporary rod, then cut to form loops.
The weaver cuts excess yarn after each row and compresses the knots with a comb-like tool.

5. Weaving & Weft Insertion

After a row of knots is completed, a weft thread (horizontal fiber) is woven across to secure the knots.
This process continues row by row , with the artisan carefully following the design.

6. Trimming & Finishing

Once weaving is done, the rug is cut from the loom .
The pile is sheared to an even height to refine the design.
The edges are secured by knotting or binding to prevent unraveling.
The rug is washed and stretched to enhance softness and maintain shape.

7. Final Quality Check

The rug is inspected for pattern accuracy, knot density, and durability .

How Long Does It Take

A handknotted rug can take many months to years, depending on:

Size
Complexity of the design
Knot density (knots per square inch - KPSI)
Number of weavers working on it

Why Are Handknotted Rugs Special?

Durability – Can last generations if well-maintained.
Uniqueness – Each rug is one of a kind , even if following a pattern.

Shop Handknotted Rugs

Selection of Handknotted Rugs in Ivory Color

What is a Handtufted Rug?

Alyssa Brieloff Nursery with Seersucker Shag Rug

Handtufted rugs are a popular alternative to handknotted rugs, offering a high-quality look at a lower price with a faster production time.

The process involves using a tufting gun to insert yarn into a pre-designed canvas, making it much quicker than traditional knotting.

Note: Handtufted rugs have a backing. In the case of Organic Weave rugs, our backing is organic cotton, attached with a GOTS approved non toxic glue.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how handtufted rugs are made in India:

Shop Handtufted Rugs

Making Rugs by Hand - the organic way...

An Organic Rug is made according to the strict protocol established by GOTS:

Raw materials are from traceable, certified organic producers.
Cleaning or scouring raw materials uses biodegradable cleansing agents.
Water is used in a sustainable way throughout processing.
No synthetic agents or oils are used in spinning process.
Yarn is dyed using Global Organic Textile Standard approved dye stuffs.
Farmers and Fabricators are treated fairly.
Rugs are finished with no harmful chemicals or detergents.

Organic Weave

Want to Learn More?

Explore Rug Textures

Learn about Organic Wool

Learn about Organic Cotton

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The Author: Linda Alexanian

"I believe that a truly beautiful rug is one that is impeccably hand crafted by artisans who are treated fairly and made with materials that are in harmony with nature.

Non-toxic rugs are healthier for everyone - the artisans, the planet, and you."

Linda is the Founder of Organic Weave. As a third generation rug merchant, Linda is passionate about the art of making handmade rugs with all natural materials.

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