Rug Making

Rug making has been around for thousands of years. There is evidence that rug weaving began in central Asia as early as 5000 BC. It is thought that the quest to make rugs began after the peoples began enjoying the warmth of sheepskin. It must have quickly occurred to them that where a hide would only allow a sheep to be used once, they could make rug coverings of the warm wool several times from that same sheep.

Most rugs are woven on looms. There are a few exceptions. Hooking wool through a loose, holed backing makes latch hook rugs. Needlepoint rugs are made by floss or thread being needled onto a piece of cloth or canvas. Braided rugs were ingeniously designed to be made from old blanket and cloth scraps. The materials were braided together just like a womanÕs hair. The braids were then stitched together to form a braided rug.

Latch hook and needlepoint rugs are now made mostly as crafts. The finished project is too fragile to be used in heavy traffic areas. Many people find that their latch hook or needlepoint rug is just too beautiful to even imagine having it stepped upon. Weaving is the most common way rugs are now made.

With technology, rugs can now be woven by machine. Machine weaving allows rugs to be mass produced and more affordable. Rug connoisseurs prefer handmade rugs that are long lasting and true works of art. However, typical American households do well with machine woven rugs as their decorative tastes tend to change frequently.

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