Wool Area Rugs
Carpets are created via various construction methods like weaving and tufting. Sometimes a rug is crafted by hand, but most carpets and rugs are made on a machine or mechanical loom. The majority of carpet on the market today is tufted because it is the fastest method of carpet production. A tufting machine is like a giant sewing machine, with hundreds of needles stitching or punching the face yarn through a primary backing or foundation material.
A woven wool rug is created on a loom by weaving together, either by hand or by machine, the face yarns that become the warp (lengthwise yarns) and the weft (widthwise threads). A woven rug may or may not have a backing.
Whether your wool area rug is woven or tufted, it was either crafted by hand or by a machine. Any rug construction that begins with “hand” simply means that it was not made by an electrified machine. Handcrafted rugs are made by artisans on a hand or foot powered loom or tufting apparatus.
To be honest, the terms “handwoven” and “handloomed” are often used interchangeably, but they both intend to convey an artisanal process that involves weaving by hand on a loom. A hand-tufted wool rug involves punching wool yarns that create the pile or face of the rug into a canvas or primary backing. The pile fibers might be knotted or a scrim fabric is attached to secure the yarns. Lastly, the wool yarns are shaved or cut to create a smooth or textured finish.
Hand knotting is the most labor-intensive method for rug making and can take many months to finish a rug. Thousands if not millions of knots are tied individually to a fabric canvas or foundation, allowing the artisan opportunities to create intricate designs or patterns. After all the knots are tied, the top pile is shaved for an even, finished look.
A flatweave wool rug is created from wool yarns that are either handwoven or mechanically woven. It won’t have a pile or knots since the warp and weft yarns are interlaced and pulled taut to create a flat, tightly woven structure. If the flat woven area rug does not have a backing, it may be reversible since the front and the back look the same.
Handloomed or handwoven wool rugs generally fetch a higher price point because they are crafted by hand by skilled artisans. This weaving method takes time and highlights the unique qualities that only an artisanal product embodies, like minor irregularities in yarn color, design, pattern repeat, and texture. These variabilities are also what elevates a handwoven rug above other mass-produced wool rugs.
For a handloomed flatweave wool rug, see Carmel or Silverton. Jacaranda specializes in handwoven wool and TENCEL® rugs—Willingdon or Chennai are beautiful examples of premium fibers and skilled craftsmanship.
Hence, if cost is a barrier, a tufted wool rug will cost less since it takes less time to make. Nonetheless, with wool as the fiber, a tufted wool rug has durable fibers and can be colorful, patterned, and rich in character. To see stunning tufted wool rugs, visit Best Wool’s Monasch Collection or, for a more neutral aesthetic, visit our Pure Wool Collection.
Chunky or flat, boho or minimalist, there is a wool rug for every style. When designing a space, consider the overall feel or ambiance you want to achieve. Do you want cozy and welcoming, or sleek and stylish? Or both? Read on for ideas to help you cultivate the look you want.
Cozy & Soft
We often associate soft with coziness. With wool, although it is a soft fiber, some find it scratchy and opt not to wear it. But if a wool area rug is on your floor, there is less direct contact with the fiber and you still get all the benefits wool has to offer, like insulation and air purification. So, if you want to dial up the coziness factor in a bedroom or living room, opt for a plush wool rug like Deerfield, Fat Cat or Chennai.
Sleek Patterns
A modern style living room welcomes many rug styles but a flat woven wool rug fits the minimalist aesthetic particularly well. Often, flatweave rugs are patterned with chevrons or stripes that add subtle visual interest to the floor. For example, City Block has a gridlike pattern, while Victoria shows off plaid. Stripes define Orono and Londonderry’s classic chevron adds distinction to any setting.
Textural
Never underestimate the use of texture as a design element. Thick woolen rugs add not only underfoot comfort, but also visual interest and meld beautifully with many design styles, including boho, transitional, eclectic or natural style homes. The texture might come from the weave construction, chunky wool yarns, or the pattern. A ribbed wool rug like Crayons has cushiony loops with colorful rows. Galway showcases chunky braids, and Noisette delights with large and small loops of wool. And a tufted area rug with thick yarns like Let It Rib or Tapara look great with any design style.
Custom
Thankfully, no matter the feel or the look, you can create a custom wool area rug with Curran and sisalcarpet.com. Build a rectangular, square, or round wool rug in our custom rug builder and order online. Our workrooms are also equipped to create extra large rugs, special shapes, like oval wool rugs, and custom rugs with cloth borders that fit a room’s exact dimensions. Order a custom rug online or reach out to our customer service team—they would be happy to help!
Guidance on choosing a rug to match your design style as well as other design topics can be found on our blog.