subject: Hand Knotted Rugs [print this page] Hand Knotted Rugs Hand Knotted Rugs
Hand knotted rugs are well known as products from the Orient and the Middle East but there is a history with these types of rugs within American culture as well. Colonial women worked in large groups to fashion these types of rugs in the earliest, primitive dwellings in the original colonies. The love for these handmade rugs is still evident today, although there are different inspirations from different areas of the globe. And it seems each country has its own specialty feature that makes their hand knotted rugs unique. For instance, the Turks are well known for crafting amazingly elegant rugs that have graced the halls of palaces.
American Hand Knotted
The American tradition of creating these rugs was born out of necessity. The floors of colonial homes were often made of wide plank wood and there were usually substantial gaps in the floor boards that would allow for the elements to get in. Covering these floors with rugs was almost a necessity. These rugs were largely made out of cotton strips of material, mostly scraps of material. It could take some time to collect enough scraps to create a rug, but they were actually quite attractive when completed.
Most Popular
The most popular or well known hand knotted rugs are made in the Mideast and Asia. These rugs have a very long history, with the oldest one known to exist coming from the early twelfth century. These types of rugs are still wildly popular today, they are much coveted. In fact, it isn't uncommon to see the heirs to a huge estate fighting not over grandma's diamonds and jewels, but over her centuries-old hand knotted rug. A hand knotted rug can become a family heirloom with proper care and handling.
How to Select a Hand Knotted Rug
When selecting your hand knotted rug, coordinating it with your existing furniture and dcor is often a good way to go. But keep in mind that chances are good that you will have the rug much longer than you will own your sofa and chair in the living room, so going with a neutral color scheme for your hand knotted rug may make more sense. This will give you the opportunity to change colors within the room and still be able to make use of the rug. Look for a tightly woven hand knotted rug. Loose weaves tend to unravel more rapidly and therefore do not last as long.
Dealers Online
There are plenty of dealers online that have this type of rug for sale, many of them at a great discount. Many online dealers offer free shipping options, which only adds to the savings. Shopping online will offer much more access to inventory. Most people realize that shopping online literally opens up the world to you. You may be able to buy a hand knotted rug directly from the source when you shop online.