About durability.

Yes, your concern about the durability of handmade rugs is legit! After all, if you’re going to invest in one of these beauties, you want it to be made with quality in order to last. Consider this: Handmade rugs have been made by women for use in their own homes; to warm the home, to sleep on, to eat on, & to provide some level of comfort for their families. These women (or more accurately, creators) were (& are) mothers, caretakers, and homemakers and their generational expertise shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Small Persian mat, c. 1920’s, wool on cotton foundation.

What makes handmade rugs last for decades is a perfect trifecta: Hand spun wool, dyes, & tightly made knots. The process of utilizing the proper wool, dyes, and the knotting is much more complex than what is described here, of course. In general terms, wool refers to the fibers used from sheep to tie knots, which create pile. The wool is meticulously collected during just the right season, sheered just the right way, fibers are separated from hair, and so on; all in an effort to be just right for resisting breakage. A lot has been said about dyes, mostly comparing synthetic dyes to natural dyes. Oftentimes synthetic dyes get a bad rap, maybe even viewed as a four letter word (“fake”!), but many experts acknowledge that if applied properly to the spun wool, the dyes can have color fastness & withstand daily use. Persian rugs have asymmetrical knots (called the Senneh or Persian knot) where the wool pile is hand tied to the foundation of the rug; most rugs having approximately 100 knots per square inch. The resulting thousands of knots for an average-sized rug is the beautiful design you see.

Deciding to purchase a handmade rug is a commitment; the financial aspect as well as the idea that you’ll be living with your rug for a really long time. Once you choose to dive in, it’s good to know that the commitment also made by the creators of these beauties will make your investment well worth it!